THE RESULT of an August inter-ministerial decree by the Madagascan Transport Ministry has been the imposition of a certification charge for all sea cargo into the poverty-stricken Indian Ocean island.
This means, according to Nigel Sergeant of King & Sons - SA agents for the scheme - that all cargoes to Madagascar must be accompanied by a loading certificate which complies with the Madagascan law (Attestation de Chargement en Conformite avec la Legislation Malgache - ACCLM). A copy of this document must accompany each bill of lading.
The following charges for the ACCLM must be submitted to King & Sons as Transport Ministry representatives in SA, in return for which the shipper receives a stamped copy of the ACCLM.
l 20-foot (6-metre) container - US$150;
l 40-ft (12-m) container - US$300;
l Tourist vehicle - US$200;
l Other goods - US$5 per paying unit;
l Certificate charge - US$25.
Failure to present the ACCLM will result in a fine of US$2 500 - plus the appropriate charge - and cargo will not be cleared until this is remedied.
Further information is available from any of the King & Sons offices.
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