EXPORTING TO AUSTRALIA: The Benefits of a Free Trade Agreement
Friday, June 27, 2014 | 1919 Smith St., 10th Floor Bayou Room, Houston

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced during a visit to Houston on June 13 that “Australia will open a Consulate-General in Houston in the next 12 months in recognition of the significant two-way investment between Australia and the global energy capital.”

Join us next week to learn more about market opportunities in Australia, tips for success and why targeting countries with free trade agreements is beneficial for U.S. firms.   Afterwards, receive one-on-one counseling on questions specific to your business in Australia. The event is organized with the support of the Australian-American Chamber of Commerce and Qantas Freight Services.

Australia is the fourth largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region and can be considered as a platform for doing business in Asia. The Australia-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which went into effect in 2005, enhanced the long and successful trading relationship by eliminating tariffs on almost all U.S. manufactured and agricultural goods. Leading sectors for U.S. exports to Australia include:  Aircraft and Parts; Automotive Parts & Accessories; Biotechnology; Construction Machinery; Cosmetics; Franchising; Information Technology Services; Medical Equipment; Mining Equipment; Oil and Gas Field Machinery; Renewable Energy; and Travel and Tourism.

AGENDA
8:00 am   Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 am   Welcome: Pam Plagens, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Houston
8:35 am   Introduction: Mark Hawley, President, Australian-American Chamber of Commerce, Houston
8:40 am   Exporting to Australia: Donna Carter, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Consulate, Perth, Australia
9:30 am   Panel Discussion including Kathleen Malaspina, Chief Innovation Officer & Vice President Of Marketing, OrthoAccel; Glen Kearns, Laser Scanning & Dimensional Control Services, Intertek; and Lisa Butler, Senior Associate, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP. Moderated by Duaine Priestley, Principal, Priestley International Consulting
10:30 am   Adjourn
10:45 am   One-on-one meetings with Commercial Specialist Donna Carter

*****
When:   Friday, June 27, 8:00 am Registration; 8:30-10:30 am Program
Where:   1919 Smith St., 10th Floor Bayou Room, Houston, Texas
Cost:   $35.00 (coffee and continental breakfast provided)
Registration:   https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/event/editWebReg.do?SmartCode=4Q7U
Questions:   Contact Pam Plagens at 713-209-3106 or pam.plagens@trade.gov

Mid-June PSS Postponed!

Mid-June PSS Postponed;
Some Carriers Implement GRIs

Amid a volatile shipping market and concerns of US West Coast slowdowns, ocean carriers have postponed the peak season surcharge from the Far East and Indian sub-continent to the US and Canada. The PSS was announced earlier in the month with an effective date of June 15, which has been postponed to July 1. The proposed PSS rates are below.

$320 USD per 20’
$400 USD per 40’ STD
$450 USD per 40’ HC
$506 USD per 45’
$8 USD per CBM LCL ($8 w/m, $8 min)


The mid-June anticipated general rate increase for ocean shipments from the Far East and India to Canada has also been postponed to July 1. However, some steamship lines are opting to implement the GRI for shipments to the US. 

Local ISF Enforcement Begins for Imports

Thank you to A. N. Derringer for shairng this information with us

Local ISF Enforcement Begins Local US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offices have been flexing their Importer Security Filing (ISF) enforcement. This enforcement strategy allows local port-level discretion to hold cargo or issue liquidated damages/penalties against importers who do not comply with ISF filing requirements. Enforcement actions are focused on the most egregious ISF violators, such as those with missing or significantly late ISFs. Non-compliant importers are given three warnings before CBP assesses liquidated damages. CBP will track ISF importer violations in a database that will provide visibility to local officers in an effort to identify offending importers nationwide.

Houston's Women Business Enterprise Expo

This past week we had the opportunity to connect with  current and with potential new customers at the Women's Business Enterprise Expo,  for "certified women owned businesses".   It's a great way to make new and renew old contacts.

One of the things that I believe sets our company DIXIE CULLEN,  apart is that we "TEAM" with our customers to provide the best service to meet future and growing needs of our customers, customers.   This year  AIM Global Logistics  had a booth at the WBE Expo,  and we wanted to take the time to thank them for stepping out and sharing their business.