The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:

maintaining a current knowledge of the documentation, forms and permits required in international freight forwarding through appropriate continuous professional development activities

interpreting and applying a current knowledge of the required documentation, forms and permits to the international freight forwarding role and functions

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Relevant Australian and international conventions, codes of practice and regulatory requirements for the completion of documentation, forms and permits in international freight forwarding (including those applicable to the importing, exporting and transiting of goods)

Documents, forms and permits required in freight forwarding

Procedures and protocols for the preparation and processing of documentation, forms and permits in international freight forwarding

Responsibilities and liabilities of the freight forwarder in ensuring that all required documentation, forms and permits are accurately and correctly prepared

Definitions, purpose and use of Incoterms and Combiterms

International sales contracts - principles, conditions and specifications, consequences of poor preparation or mistakes

Documentation requirements for billing and accounts

Systems and processes for the on-line completion of documentation and forms

Australian Customs and Border Protection requirements including:

general information on the Australian Customs administration

Australian Customs and Border Protection tariffs

Australian Customs and Border Protection procedures

international conventions

GST (applicable rate and taxable value)

Control of import and export consignments

import licences e.g. for certain types of dangerous goods

veterinarian control and live plant control (phytosanitary control)

intellectual property, counterfeit, artifacts, boycott issues

Sources of information on the documentation, forms and permits required when providing international freight forwarding services

Principles and techniques of closed-loop communication in which checks are made to confirm that messages and responses being given or received are unambiguous and are correctly and clearly understood

Understanding of the principles of quality assurance and customer service standards, policies and procedures as they apply in the international freight forwarding industry

Typical problems that can occur when preparing and processing required documentation, forms and permits in international freight forwarding and related appropriate action that can be taken to prevent or resolve them

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when preparing and processing required documentation, forms and permits, including unambiguous closed-loop communication in which checks are made to confirm that messages and responses are correctly and clearly understood (particularly in situations where communication is with a person for whom English is not the native language)

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and other information relevant to the preparation and processing of documentation, forms and permits needed in international freight transport

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete the preparation and processing of documentation, forms and permits required in international freight forwarding, including data entry to a computer system

Operate applicable information and communication technology to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when preparing and processing required documentation, forms and permits

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may arise when preparing and processing required documentation, forms and permits in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when preparing and processing required documentation, forms and permits

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Apply relevant national and international codes of practice, regulations and legislative requirements

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

Select and appropriately apply information and communication systems and procedures to complete workplace tasks

Operate and adapt to differences in information and communication equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

International freight forwarding includes services related to:

the importing of goods

the exporting of goods

the transiting of goods

The range of documentation, forms and permits required for international freight forwarding is dependent upon a variety of factors including:

the mode of transport

the nature of the goods

the routing and country of destination

the requirements for import quarantine, health and customs controls in applicable countries

the sales contract

the terms of documentary credits

the relationship and arrangements of the seller and buyer

International freight forwarding documentation and permits may include but are not limited to:

standard FIATA forms and documentation such as:

a Negotiable Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (FB/L)

a Non-negotiable Multimodal Transport Waybill (FWB)

a Forwarders Certificate of Receipt (FCR)

a Forwarders Certificate of Transport (FCT)

a Forwarders Warehouse Receipt (FWR)

a Forwarders Forwarding Instructions (FFI)

a Shippers Declaration for the Transport of Dangerous Goods (SDT)

a Shippers Intermodal Weight Certification (SIWC)

an Original Bill of Lading (OB/L)

a Master Air Waybill (MAWB)

a House Bill of Lading (HBL)

a House Air Waybill (HAWB)

Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (MTB/L)

sales contracts

bills of lading, waybills or consignment notes

commercial invoices with an Incoterm and extra details to ensure proper passage and clearance

packing lists

origin certificates

packing declarations regarding wood and other materials of plant origin

fumigation or other treatment certificates for shipments containing wood or other materials of plant origin

delivery notes

container lists

insurance policies

insurance certificates

insurance claim forms

cargo manifests

pre-advice and pre-alert documents

veterinary certificates for materials of biological origin which are for human consumption

health and phytosanitary certificates

quality analysis or weight/measurement certificates

consular documents

inspection certificates and SGS reports

Information and communication technology systems may include but are not limited to:

data storage and management systems

Electronic Freight Forwarding Management Systems (FFMS)

Electronic Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Electronic Transportation Management System (TMS)

Internet and web based technology

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

EDI for Administration of Commerce (EDIFACT)

Value-added Network (VAN)

IP-based telecommunications systems

Local Area Networks (LANS)

Wireless Area Networks (WANS)

broadband internet systems including ADSL, dedicated broadband lines and wireless systems

barcoding systems

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems used in warehouses and logistics facilities

E-commerce security systems

Communications systems may involve:

face-to-face conversation

telephone including fixed, mobile and IP phones

fax

email

electronic data transfer of information (EDI)

mail

Consultative processes may involve:

customers

a global network of international and domestic agents, regulatory authorities, carriers, suppliers, and other freight forwarding contacts

relevant regulatory authorities and institutions

freight forwarding specialists in areas such as dangerous goods, special cargoes etc.

management

other employees and supervisors

other professional or technical staff

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Sources of information required to perform international freight forwarding functions may include:

websites of key international and Australian organisations such as FIATA, IMO, ICAO, IATA, CASA, AMSA, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, AQIS, government agencies responsible for transport security etc.

key reference publications such as Incoterms, FIATA forms and documents, ICC publications, and other manuals, texts and handbooks on freight forwarding, international trade and related topics etc.

Operational information / documents may include but are not limited to:

Australian and international regulations, conventions and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight

summaries and definitions of Incoterms and Combiterms

workplace standard operating procedures and policies

customers' instructions and transport requirements

applicable standard international freight forwarding forms and documents

operations manuals, job specifications and procedures and induction documentation

Australian and international standards, criteria and certification requirements

data obtained through information and communications technology equipment and oral, aural or signed communications

freight forwarding competency standards and training materials

freight forwarder company's quality assurance standards and procedures

manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification

emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

Australian and international regulations, conventions and codes of practice for the international forwarding of freight

relevant regulations for the import and export of cargo

Australian and international standards and certification requirements

relevant regulations pertaining to international trading and financial transactions

relevant Australian and international transport security and safety legislation

relevant Australian and international environmental protection legislation