NPA introduces more lenient timeframes for documentation

ALAN PEAT
SEVERAL NEW timeframes for the submission of documentation to the port authority took effect on March 1. This followed a revision of the previous timeframes chosen, after industry bodies like the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff) condemned certain of the timespans chosen as practically unworkable. Nisha Jones, the National Ports Authority (NPA) GM for trade, logistics and corporate affairs outlined the new regulations to FTW. For import documentation, cargo dues orders (CDOs) must be submitted within seven days after vessel arrival for bulk liquids, and within three days for all other cargo types. Manifests must be submitted within one day before vessel arrival. For breakbulk and bulk, CDOs must be supported by the bill of lading (BoL) or delivery order - or survey reports for bulk vessels – but no supporting documents are required for container CDOs. The exceptions in the latter case are empty returns and a customs approved bill of entry (BoE) for ship stores or spares for ships’ own consumption. In export documentation, CDOs must be submitted within seven days after vessel departure for bulk liquids, and within three days for all other cargo types. In this case, manifests must be submitted within fourteen days after vessel departure. Again, while breakbulk and bulk CDOs must be supported by the mate’s receipt or draft survey, no supporting documents are required for containers – with the same exceptions as for import CDOs. In inbound transhipment and coastwise documentation, CDOs must be submitted within three days after vessel arrival, and inbound transhipment manifests and lists must be submitted within three days after vessel departure. Coastal manifests must be submitted within three days after vessel arrival for inward moves, as must empty container lists. In outbound transhipment and coastwise, CDOs must be submitted within three days after vessel departure, as must outbound transhipment and coastal manifests and empty container lists. All the timeframes exclude weekends and public holidays. “As you will note,” said Jones, “timeframes for submission of documentation are more than lenient. “Further extension for submission of cargo documentation by 30-days after vessel arrival/departure for imports/exports provides ample opportunity for submission of documents. Non-compliance will be viewed seriously and leave the NPA with no choice but to impose penalties.” The NPA will no longer accept amending orders, and from March 1, incorrect orders must be cancelled and a new order must be submitted – with the cancelled order attached. Cancelling orders must be submitted within 10-days after vessel arrival for imports and within 10-days after vessel departure for exports. Cancelling orders submitted outside of this time frame will attract penalty/interest charges equivalent to the late submission of CDOs, and thereafter a non-submission 30-days after vessel arrival/departure for imports/exports. Cancelled CDOs will face an administrative fee of R200 per order. In the penalty for late submission the NPA will charge interest on the normal cargo dues payable, calculated at prime rate plus one percent (11.5%) of the value of the CDO. The first public holiday and first weekend will be excluded if it falls within the number of days that the order has been submitted late for purposes of interest calculation. Meantime, the penalty for non-submission of CDOs will be 100% of the value of the order – with this penalty being imposed 30-days after vessel arrival for imports, and vessel departure for exports. The penalty for late and non-submission of manifests will be R1 000 per manifest. Penalty debit committees will be established at each of the ports and City Deep.