Date: 8^th April 2005

Asia/Canada carriers revise price increases per May 1, 05

Shipping lines of the Canadian Transpacific Stabilization Agreement said they have revised their requested rate increases for cargoes shipped from Asia to Canada.

Effective May 1, the carriers plan to raise rates increases per 40-foot standard containers will be $240 to the West Coast of Canada, $350 to inland/minilandbridge destinations, and $430 to all-water East Coast of Canada destinations. For 40-foot high-cube and 45-foot containers, the requested rate increases of the carrier agreement will be higher, with proposed price hikes of up to $550 for 45-foot boxes to the East Coast of Canada.

Import permits for clothing and textiles

The CSCB advises that...... 'except in cases of TPL goods, customs have confirmed that if an RMD release request is made on April 1 or later, there is no requirement for an import permit for clothing and textiles.

As well, any type of release request received (PARS, RMD, etc...) before April 1 without the required permit would be subject to an AMPS penalty under C071 regardless of the fact than an arrival might not occur until after April 1.  The permit is required at the time the release request is presented as this is the only opportunity to verity that required permits are presented'.