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January 13, 2006
NEW ZEALAND WARNING
Please note that as of February 1st 2006 the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will no longer accept industry-issued fumigation certificates for wooden, bamboo, cane, willow and rattan furniture and/or products that may be included in effects shipments to New Zealand.
All fumigation/treatment certificates must be issued by the Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China (CIQ) to be accepted by our officials in New Zealand.
Without this document wooden, cane, rattan furniture and products etc. included in consignments from China will automatically be subject to treatment, re-export or destruction - at the owners discretion and at their expense.
For full details of this important change please visit: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/commercial-imports/import-health-standards/search
January 13, 2006
VENEZUELA WARNING
We must inform you that Venezuela is experiencing its most chaotic road problems.
As of January 5th 2006, the main highway linking La Guaira with Caracas has been closed indefinitely. The main bridge was damaged in the deluges that killed thousands six years ago. The present regime has done nothing to correct these damages and now, after a period of rains, the base of the bridge moved 20 centimeters, causing the closure.
The only alternate route for trucks of any size to travel between the port of La Guaira and Caracas is the old road that was used prior to the building of the highway 50 years ago. This road winds around the mountain and it is not wide enough to sustain 2 vehicles of this size moving in opposite directions. Thus, transit of trucks is being restricted to nights, from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am, one day for La Guaira-Caracas direction; the following day, for the reverse direction.
During the day, lighter vehicles may travel, but the congestion is such that what used to average 45 minutes may take 5 hours or more. Sometimes, personnel on their way for a customs inspection must turn back to Caracas. It is feared that this road may not be able to sustain this use for too long. In the meantime, the regime is promising an alternate temporary route by the end of February, and a permanent one by sometime in 2007. We do not know if the temporary route will be open to trucks of all size.
For these mentioned reasons, expect considerable increases in transportation for shipments to Caracas/La Guaira. Also, delays and related charges, like container rental, will be likely.
To make matters worse, a tunnel leading to Valencia and Puerto Cabello is also in very bad condition. There is more cargo expected through Puerto Cabello, due to the above situation. But, if this tunnel is not repaired properly, it may not be able to sustain this increase.
For your information, the central road, leading to Puerto La Cruz/Barcelona, has been under repair for several years. Very little has been done. Delays, detours, and traffic jams are common.
January 6, 2006
MEXICO WARNING
Mexican Customs is now following the letter of the law on all imports of personal effects. No household goods item is to be imported into Mexico unless the owner has proof they have owned the item for more than 6 months minimum. Please be advised that currently Mexican Customs is inspecting 100% of all personal effects shipments. We will keep you updated of any further changes.
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