Activity 8: The Importing Process

Teacher and Learning Activities

This activity allows students the opportunity to examine in detail the processes that must be completed to facilitate the successful and safe importation of freight by sea. This exercise is as much about students' communication and team work as information gathering and requires students to work collaboratively within clearly defined roles.

ACTIVITY 8a: SORTING ROUND GAME: THE IMPORTING PROCESS

Review the research conducted in the previous lesson by quickly recapping some of the Key Port Service Providers. Challenge students to order the Sorting Round Cards describing the various stages of the importation process. Divide the class into mixed ability groups of around six and provide each with the cards prepared or the sheet for students to cut into cards themselves. Establish the aims and rules of the activity with the class referring to the Sorting Round Game.

AIM: Put the cards into the correct order so that they describe the Import Process.

RULES:

  • Shuffle and deal the cards out amongst your group.
  • Take turns to read out the description on the card, going clockwise around the table.
  • Once the card has been read to the group it can be placed.
  • Speak only when it is your turn.
  • Move or re-order the cards only when it is your turn.
  • The order of the cards can be changed on your turn even if you have placed all of your own cards.
  • Reasons must be given explaining your choice of order.
  • Work together until the group is happy that the order is correct.
  • If the group cannot decide where to place a card a vote may be taken.
  • When the group has decided, tack the cards, in order, on to A3 paper.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Discuss what communication skills are needed to complete this task.

  • Why are communication skills important?

Once the groups have had adequate time to tackle the task, draw the class together for feedback. Reveal that the first stage is 'Notify Shipping Details' then go around the class asking each group in turn to suggest the next stage.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

Discuss any discrepancies or disagreements that arise.

  • What clues are there in the descriptions which suggest order of events?

The Awareness of the Whole Supply Chain website can be used to help students check their answers.

THE IMPORT PROCESS RUNS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Notify shipping details
2. Obtain customs clearance
3. Distribute shipping documents
4. Vessel prepares entry to the Australian port
5. Arrange marine services
6. Arrival into harbour
7. Berthing the vessel
8. Settling shipping and local port charges
  9. Unloading and storing containers
10. Performing inbound regulatory services
11. Complete customs clearance
12. Arrange road transport
13. External container inspection
14. Perform road transport
15. Deliver container to customer
16. Return the empty container

ACTIVITY 8b: PLANNING, RECORDING, COMMUNICATION

This activity asks students to identify and analyse the importance of planning, recording and communication within supply chain activities.

Recap the definition of a supply chain highlighting the words 'planning, recording and communication'. Discuss with the class why these elements are so important.

Ask each group to split into pairs. Have pens of three different colours handy. The task for each pair is to select planning, communication or recording and underline examples of these in the importing process.

For example:

  • Pair 1: Blue for examples of planning;
  • Pair 2: Red for examples of communication;
  • Pair 3: Green for examples of recording.

Pairs may like to take one card at a time to examine and underline examples of their chosen feature. Explain that all communication in this process can be performed using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). EDI is a way businesses can send information electronically, a bit like e-mail. Discuss with the class the importance ICT plays in this process.

KEY QUESTIONS

Containers are given barcodes like car licence plates called Serial Shipping Container Codes (SSCC).

  • Why do you think the containers are given these?

The SSCC barcodes are scanned whenever the container enters or leaves a location.

  • Why do you think this is done?
  • Who might need to know where the container is at any given time?

Discuss with the class what they have learned about the supply chain.

  • Why are planning, recording and communication so important in the supply chain?
  • Are they surprised by how complicated it is?

Student Materials

Key Port Service Providers

8a SORTING ROUND GAME: THE IMPORTING PROCESS

AIM:

Work as a team to put the cards into the correct order so that they describe the Import Process.

RULES:

  • Shuffle and deal the cards out amongst your group.
  • Take turns to read out the description on the card, going clockwise around the table.
  • Once the card has been read to the group it can be placed.
  • Speak only when it is your turn.
  • Move or re-order the cards only when it is your turn.
  • The order of the cards can be changed on your turn even if you have placed all of your own cards.
  • Reasons must be given explaining your choice of order.
  • Work together until the group is happy that the order is correct.
  • If the group cannot decide where to place a card a vote may be taken.
  • When the group has decided, tack the cards, in order, on to A3 paper.
The Awareness of the Whole Supply Chain

www.supplychainvictoria.com.au/interactivetools/awareness

8a SORTING ROUND GAME: THE IMPORTING PROCESS