"coronavirus" impact at the Border

Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) in discussion with members, regarding the current "coronavirus" which appears to have originated in Wuhan and has now spread to many countries around the world, have noted that there is likely to be many downstream impacts on not only tourism but also trade around the world.

With the extension of the Lunar New Year holiday period and the advice by the Chinese government for people to remain at home (refer links below)  this will have an impact on manufacturing, shipping and supply of services especially at government level.

This raises the question as to how importers will be able to claim preferential rates of duty under ChAFTA if they are unable to obtain certificates of origin (COO). FTA have raised this matter with the Australian Border Force (ABF) and asked the question as to whether the ABF would be putting in place any special dispensation during this  period. We asked, for example, whether they would permit importers / customs brokers to enter goods under ChAFTA, where applicable, without a COO on the understanding they would obtain same as soon as industry / government operations in China returned to normal. We will advise as soon as we have received their commentary

FTA have also written to Shipping Australia Limited (SAL) again to seek their commentary on any special measures / dispensations their members will be adopting during this period either at load / transhipment or destination ports. FTA will keep members up to date on pertinent developments.

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/managing-protecting-china-business-staff-coronavirus-outbreak/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-health-shanghai/companies-in-shanghai-cannot-resume-work-before-february-9-due-to-virus-fight-government-idUSKBN1ZQ0M0
https://www.china-briefing.com/news/coronavirus-latest-emergency-measures-announced-prc-government/
 
Freight & Trade Alliance will advise members on the above issues as soon as we have responses from those mentioned.