There has been a “dramatic” improvement in the movement of trucks across borders between South Africa and its neighbours over the past few years, according to Gavin Kelly, chief executive officer of the Road Freight Association (RFA).
He attributes this to the introduction of Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs) and preclearing of cargo.
Introduced in 2024, the AEO system has replaced manual paper processes with eFiling of applications and supporting documents.
Applicants are kept advised through automated notifications, according to the South African Revenue Service.
The introduction of preclearing has reduced the processing time for trucks.
Another factor contributing to expediting the flow of freight is the opening of certain border posts for 24-hour operation.
But hauliers and their clients still need to factor in the possibility of delays, he warns.
These are due to load-shedding, inclement weather, and riots such as those experienced recently in Mozambique.
- Read the full article in Freight Features edition on "Exports".
