QUESTION TIME – TOP 10 MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1 In the event of an AOG/Time critical situations, can double manned trucks run non-stop?
No. Once both drivers have finished their 10-hour shifts, they must both take a break. This is a legal requirement and there is no leeway. If the drivers exceed their legal limit, there is a risk of losing your operators license. The driver’s mate must also be in the passenger’s seat at all time when not driving. In a double man operation, in total, the drivers can drive for 20 consecutive hours before they must stop for a mandatory break of 9 hours. Following the break period, the drivers may take another set of 20 consecutive hours of further driving.
Q2 What is a T1 (Transit document)?
A T1 is a transit document which allows for goods which originated outside the European Union to move freely within the European Union. The main benefit is that no customs duties or taxes are payable as the shipment moves from one country to the next within the European Union. This is the case until the shipment arrives at its intended final destination.
Q3 My Freight is hazardous, what must I supply as the shipper to ensure we are ready?
When transporting hazardous goods, we have a legal requirement to hold relevant information pertaining to the goods. The information we require is the UN number, Hazardous class, packing group and an emergency contact number. On occasions, we may also ask to provide the MSDS (material safety data sheet) should we need this. The responsibility lies with the consignor to ensure all relevant information provided is correct. Any liability resulting from false information lies with the consignor.
Q4 Our AOG/urgent movements are often affected due to driving bans in Europe. What time do the bans start?
The times differ depending on where in Europe and the date. In general, there are bans in most European countries for heavy goods vehicles on a Sunday. Please contact HSM operations who are constantly monitoring changes and driving restrictions throughout Europe for each month.
Q5 How do you protect against the risk of damage when transporting Aero engines?
HSM Global aim to minimise handling as much as possible in line with our strict end-to-end care programme and engine movement manual and checklist. To ensure we are in control at each stage of the supply chain, we will send staff on site, obtain photos and demand frequent updates to ensure the tie-downs are applied correctly, the handling is correct as per our instructions and the correct equipment is used.
Q6 What is Demurrage/Airline storage?
Demurrage or airline storage is a charge that is levied by the shipping agent/port facilities/bonded warehouses or airline after a period of time if the import cargo has not been removed beyond the allotted number of free days after arrival. Detention charges are applied and forwarded to the shipper.
Q7 What is a Certificate of Origin – ‘C of O’?
A C of O is an official document signed by the exporter and has to be witnessed by an agency such as your local chamber of commerce. This is a requirement from the majority of the Middle East and certifies the country of origin. A C of O certificate does not necessarily relate to the country the goods are shipped from, but where the goods are actually manufactured.
Q8 What does subject to availability mean in quotes provided and how long are they valid for?
This means whatever is being offered is dependent on when the booking is confirmed. There is a condition and that condition is: as long as the product/service/price is available at the time of the confirmed booking. Quotes are valid dependant on airlines carriers/shipping lines/cut offs.
Q9 Are transit times guaranteed?
Whilst HSM will do all to ensure your freight is delivered on time, we cannot guarantee this. Although we hold a scheduled delivery integrity just short of 100%, there are many contributing factors that can result in a delayed shipment that falls outside of the required transit time. This includes bad weather, mechanical failures with the vehicles, political situations and more.
HSM operations departments are extremely pro-active and will ensure they are clued up on the weather conditions and other factoring issues and also look at alternate options to ensure delivery is not affected.
Q10 What are import duty and VAT and how much will I be charged?
All commodities that are shipped internationally are assigned a code. We will use the code that applies to your goods when we declare them to Customs and the appropriate percentage of duty will be applied. In most cases import VAT is charged at the standard rate of 20% and VAT registered companies claim this back.
If you do not have your own deferment account for making payments to HMRC it is possible to use HSM Global customs office account at a small percentage charge of the transaction value if required.
Contact HSM Global today to discuss how we can help. info@hsmglobal.co.uk +44 (0) 1403 269403