We would like to advise Members who are trading to Australia that the Australian Customs Service (ACS) are now insisting upon sighting a confirmation of ships' P&I entry prior to granting them permission to sail from any Australian port.

We have been advised of cases where ships have been delayed until the P&I Club in question has provided a fax confirmation. ACS has stated that they will accept fax copies of the confirmation until 20

^th

April 2004, after which ships should be able to produce an original Certificate of Entry.

Please advise your operations and insurance departments accordingly.

Source of information: 

Middletons lawyers, through Marcus John (TM Sydney)

Australia

Tel: +613 9205 2023