The Ethiopian House of Peoples' Representatives (HPR) has passed demurrage proclamation on Tuesday 19 November, 2013, The Reporter reported.

The new proclamation is said to be necessary for the export and import of goods at a competitive cost. The law is also expected to reduce delays and benefit consumers, exporters and consignees.

Under the new proclamation, senders, consignees or warehouse operators are obliged to load within eight hours, and unload within six hours, truckload freight of 20 tons or more.

Trucks with a capacity of less than 20 tons are required to load within five hours, and unload within four hours, according to The Reporter.

The proclamation also requires the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA) to conduct inspection of goods on trucks at the port of entry, exit or transit route, within one hour time period and less than four hours window at the destination customs station.

Similarly, the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) is required to carryout weight inspections within 20 minutes, according to the proclamation.

The law also stipulates rates of demurrage fee, including penalties on sender, consignee or warehouse operator who have failed to compensate transporters for delays.

Source: The Reporter