Exporters hit by charge on air freight

Exporters face increased charges from next month as new security fees are imposed on air freight.

Air New Zealand is the country's biggest ground handler and yesterday told the freight industry it would add an additional per kilogram charge as part of new cargo terminal security required under international rules.

A new minimum charge of $15 for all cargo shipments or 2c a kg plus a screening fee of 5c a kg if required.

DHL has calculated the charges will add about $600,000 to its costs every year. This would have to be passed on to exporters, the company said.

International cargo operations manager for Air New Zealand, Jon Calder, said the new charges were to recoup the costs of implementing security measures imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The airline had to invest in cargo-screening equipment and pay for aviation security staff who will deploy x-ray, trace detection and explosive detection dogs. "Air New Zealand understands that this is a significant transition for the cargo industry and our customers," Calder said in a letter to freight customers.

The Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation said the other ground handler, Menzies Aviation, had written to its airline customers about the introduction of new charges. Airlines have seen air cargo slump during the past year. Air New Zealand is to take off its Boeing 747 freighter service at the end of the month.