News
Japan International Freight Forwarders Association Inc. (JIFFA) held a briefing session in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2013 on new transport documents that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014.
The association’s Judicial Affairs Committee had revised the designs on the faces as well as the terms and conditions of the JIFFA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (MT B/L) and the JIFFA Waybill.
During the briefing session, the committee explained to member companies why the B/L and waybill have been revised and what changes had been made, indicating differences between the new and old documents.
JIFFA members also learn formats and formalities for filing changes in terms and conditions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
The terms and conditions of the JIFFA MT B/L were established in 1993, when the government of Japan amended the Act for International Carriage of Commodities by Sea when ratifying the so-called Hague-Visby Rules.
As it has since been 20 years, the Judicial Affairs Committee has reviewed all of the terms and conditions and have them better match up to today’s world.
Major changes include the replacement of the term “Actual Carrier” with “Sub-Contractor.”
The coverage of the “Sub-Contractor” has been enlarged to include charterers, warehousing companies, ferry and other short-sea service providers and barge operators engaged in inland services on river and canal routes.
As a consequence, the provisions for indemnity have also been expanded to cover a greater area.
In addition, to keep pace with recent world affairs, piracy and terrorism have been added to the disclaimers.
The reviewed and revised terms and conditions are so much more realistic now that they can better protect JIFFA-affiliated cargo transporters.
As for the new JIFFA Waybill, terms and conditions are fully described on the back, whereas the current form is simplified, saying “In accepting this Waybill, the Shipper agrees to be bound by all the stipulation, exceptions, terms and conditions on the face and back hereof and of the Carrier’s applicable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading.”
Except for unique features of B/Ls, such as those concerned with liquidity and documents of title, and provisions for multimodal transport, items on the face and back of the JIFFA Waybill have been standardized as much as possible to those of the JIFFA MT B/L.
In Japan, for example, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) describes all of the terms and conditions of its B/L on the back of its waybill as well, and in other countries, TT Club is known for having a similar system.
However, it will be unusual for non-vessel-operation common carriers (NVOCCs) to follow suit.
During the briefing session, the Judicial Affairs Committee explained in an understandable way formalities for applying for approval for changes in terms and conditions for forwarding services.
JIFFA will collect applications from member companies and send them to the MLIT on Oct. 18.
Japan International Freight Forwarders Association Inc. (JIFFA) held a briefing session in Tokyo on Oct. 4, 2013 on new transport documents that it will begin using on Jan. 1, 2014.
The association’s Judicial Affairs Committee had revised the designs on the faces as well as the terms and conditions of the JIFFA Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (MT B/L) and the JIFFA Waybill.
During the briefing session, the committee explained to member companies why the B/L and waybill have been revised and what changes had been made, indicating differences between the new and old documents.
JIFFA members also learn formats and formalities for filing changes in terms and conditions with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
The terms and conditions of the JIFFA MT B/L were established in 1993, when the government of Japan amended the Act for International Carriage of Commodities by Sea when ratifying the so-called Hague-Visby Rules.
As it has since been 20 years, the Judicial Affairs Committee has reviewed all of the terms and conditions and have them better match up to today’s world.
Major changes include the replacement of the term “Actual Carrier” with “Sub-Contractor.”
The coverage of the “Sub-Contractor” has been enlarged to include charterers, warehousing companies, ferry and other short-sea service providers and barge operators engaged in inland services on river and canal routes.
As a consequence, the provisions for indemnity have also been expanded to cover a greater area.
In addition, to keep pace with recent world affairs, piracy and terrorism have been added to the disclaimers.
The reviewed and revised terms and conditions are so much more realistic now that they can better protect JIFFA-affiliated cargo transporters.
As for the new JIFFA Waybill, terms and conditions are fully described on the back, whereas the current form is simplified, saying “In accepting this Waybill, the Shipper agrees to be bound by all the stipulation, exceptions, terms and conditions on the face and back hereof and of the Carrier’s applicable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading.”
Except for unique features of B/Ls, such as those concerned with liquidity and documents of title, and provisions for multimodal transport, items on the face and back of the JIFFA Waybill have been standardized as much as possible to those of the JIFFA MT B/L.
In Japan, for example, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) describes all of the terms and conditions of its B/L on the back of its waybill as well, and in other countries, TT Club is known for having a similar system.
However, it will be unusual for non-vessel-operation common carriers (NVOCCs) to follow suit.
During the briefing session, the Judicial Affairs Committee explained in an understandable way formalities for applying for approval for changes in terms and conditions for forwarding services.
JIFFA will collect applications from member companies and send them to the MLIT on Oct. 18.
