Valparaiso Port Strike Resumes
19th December 2018

Workers in the Chilean port of Valparaiso have resumed their strike causing significant delays for both imports and exports to the city. Protests in support of the strikes have turned increasingly violante and have also spread to other ports along the Pacific coast.

The strike, which has been on and off for over a month now has been called by workers who demand bonuses, more formal contracts and better working conditions.

Unfortunately there is no immediate sign of agreement being made and all shippers should prepare for significant delays.

Thanks again to Sylvia Garcia aty Ward Van Lines for keeping us updated.

Update to Chilean Customs Requirements
11th December 2018

OMNI would like to thank Luis Silva at Unipack SA, Chile for providing the following update to the Chilean customs requirements…

 

NEW CUSTOMS REGULATIONS FOR AIR SHIPMENTS

Please be advised that due new Chilean Customs regulations, the import procedure was changed for all the AIR SHIPMENTS weighting 300 kilos or more with immediately effect.

Thorough inspection for shipments over 300 kilos ( 660 lbs) gross

All shipments will require an additional thorough inspection performed by the moving company at airport facilities This is additional to the Customs inspection that is always performed. The fully inspection will delay clearance in 1 or 2 days and will increase destination and storage charges.

Detailed Packing list:

Like some other countries, Chilean Customs Authorities are requesting a fully detailed packing list, especially with clothing, electronics and wooden items. This request is mandatory for all air shipments regardless the weight.

  • Wooden items must be indicated in the Packing list (furniture, ornaments, picture or painting frames, among others).
  • A detailed item by item list is required. For example, the clothes must indicate the number of pants, shirts, shoes, etc.
  • Electronic devices must indicate type, brand name, model and serial number.
  • If the goods are placed in 2 or more crates, the packing list must indicate which items are in which crate.

The moving companies will not be liable for additional charges and/or the consequences for not meet these mandatory requirements. Some of the consequences can be, fines  additional charges, retention of the goods, destruction of the forbidden goods and smuggling prosecution.

Significant delays at Valparaiso port, Chile
23rd November 2018

Please be aware that, as a result of an ongoing strike by customs employees, there are significant delays for both import and export at Valparaiso port, Chile. Meetings are scheduled to discuss workers’ concerns and hopefully an agreement will be reached soon.

Thanks to Sylvia Garcia at Ward Van Lines for the update.

***UPDATE***

03/12/18 – Please note that following two weeks of delays, an agreement has been reached and the strike is now over.

Valparaiso port should gradually return to normal in the coming weeks.

Thank you.

GInter Receives Highest Cartus Honours
7th November 2018

OMNI Member GInter of Sao Paulo, Brazil has been as the top supplier to the Cartus Global Network in the “All Things Moving” category.

Robson Granero and Patrick Ohara received the award at the recent Cartus Conference in Seatlle, WA.

Many congratulations to all at GInter!

Thirteen Aires Employees attain CRP Designation
29th June 2018

Aires is pleased to announce the new Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designations obtained from Worldwide ERC® by 13 employees. All candidates who prepared for this year’s certification successfully passed the exam, taking Aires total number to CRP-designated employees to 137. 

“At Aires, we value lifelong learning and the achievement of goals, and each year we support a group of employees in their pursuit of the Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designation awarded by the Worldwide ERC®,” said Aires’ Trainer/Instructional Designer, Michelle McPeak. “This year, we are excited to announce that 13 of our team members in various roles ranging from Accounting to Operations to IT achieved their CRP. These dedicated employees took on this challenge by meeting for sixteen weeks to study, prepare, and assist each other in this endeavor. We are so proud to say that 100% of our candidates succeeded in achieving their goal this year. Their commitment to this effort was outstanding.”

Those receiving the CRP designations serve in a wide range of internal roles and include:

·   Justin Bibbo – Expense Management Account Coordinator

·   Melissa Bigelow – Post Relocation Survey Team Lead

·   Christine Buckley – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Amy Caldwell – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Richard Demus – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Cassy Hanna – Client Service Manager

·   Amber McMullen – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Rick Metzger – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Kelly Policicchio – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Amy Preston – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Emily Ptak – Account Manager

·   Jennifer Reibie – Policy & Property Consultant

·   Matt Surdock – CIS Application Support

Note on Importing Appliances into Cyprus
28th June 2018

OMNI would like to thank Natasha at Orbit Moving & Storage in Cyprus for providing the following information:

Any appliances that do not have the CE markings on them should not be shipped to Cyprus as the Customs officials in the Republic of Cyprus may confiscate them, should they be found.  Also note that all shipments from NON- EU origin countries are physically inspected by the customs.