Tuesday August 18, 2009

A Message from Peter

When I was in year 12,
I remember looking through a vocation manual wondering what I would do. I narrowed my choice of career down to either an air traffic controller or a customs agent. I had no idea of what being customs agent entailed, I thought maybe I would be checking luggage, stamping passports or something to do with the Australian Customs Service. I had a lot to learn.

In 2008, my 10th year of being a customs broker and 16 years since I first left Newcastle to embark on my studies, I came full circle and began teaching Customs Broking 3 nights a week at TAFE. I enjoy giving something back to the profession that has given me so much.

Now in 2009 I feel there is still so much to learn. I have achieved many of my goals as a Customs Broker but I want to know more - I want to be proficient at Customs Law. So I am currently undertaking a Masters in Customs Law and also a Law program which can see me become qualified as a solicitor in NSW in two to three years.

I love my job as it allows me to meet some great people and to do what I do best. By continuing to learn more about the industry that I love, I hope to offer even better service to you, my valued clients. If you have any suggestions on how Platinum Freight Management could better meet your needs please contact me here.

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Simply no Higher Level of Service

Whether you are an existing client or a brand new one, Peter stands by his motto “Simply no Higher Level of Service”. The following story is just one example of how Peter will always go the extra mile for his clients…

Monday 4:45pm: A new customer called, he had a package of rings arriving into Australia from Turkey the following morning and required them to be customs cleared for collection from the airport on Tuesday.

Monday 7:00pm: Peter customs cleared the rings as they travelled to Australia that night

Tuesday 9:00am: Peter learned from the airline that the goods were not arriving until the Wednesday.

Tuesday 11:00am: As the morning progressed Peter received conflicting stories from the airline. They confirmed the rings had landed but the goods could not be released until the paperwork was received the following day (as the paperwork and the goods travelled separately instead of together as is the norm). At this stage the client advised Peter that a ring from the package was needed for a wedding in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Tuesday 12:00pm: Peter took the matter to another level. He made a dozen or so phone calls and finally confirmed that "yes the goods had arrived", "yes the paperwork is on another flight"

Tuesday 2:30pm: Finally, after speaking with a manager at the airline Peter received the good news he had been waiting on "yes you can now collect the goods". Needless to say, the client hastily collected the rings from the package and then sent it to Melbourne overnight for the wedding on Wednesday.

Wednesday 9:00am: The ring arrived on time and Peter is pleased to report that all went well for the wedding!

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Sea freight shipments - AQIS

Goods which arrive into Australia via sea on or after 01 September 2009 will need to be accompanied by an AQIS revised packing declaration.

This will affect all Less than a Container Load (LCL) or Full Container Load (FCL) shipments.

If this affects you or your business, please email peter@platinumfreight.com.au to obtain a copy of the revised format.

* AQIS = Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

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