Customs modernisation speeds up clearance times

The modernisation of South African
Customs operations has gone a long way
to improving clearance times and fast
forwarding the movement of goods to
neighbouring countries, says Warren Jayes,
managing director of Leo Shipping.
“The introduction of the EDI system has
helped speed up South African customs
clearance times,” he told FTW.
The EDI system is all about improving
and increasing trade by reducing document
processing tasks and costs. It also no
doubt improves the entire supply chain by
organising the flow of information from
one end to the other.
“The new system that has been
implemented that makes the Form
F178 (an exchange control declaration)
redundant should also have a positive
impact as it will reduce exporters’ time
spent preparing documentation.”
Leo Shipping, which together with its
Zimbabwe partners Alro Shipping runs
a fleet of trucks between Johannesburg,
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and the
DRC, is well aware of the importance of
efficient customs operations.
“Efficiency is about good planning and
understanding of customs systems on
both sides of the border,” says Jayes. Leo
Shipping also offers a consolidation service
between Johannesburg and Zimbabwe with
warehouses in Johannesburg and Harare.
“It is important to ensure that all
necessary customs criteria are met prior
to the movement of cargo,” says Jayes.
“The biggest challenge that we have
to overcome when it comes to moving
cargo across borders is prompt customs
clearances on both sides. The smooth
facilitation of this process will avoid
standing time that ultimately increases
costs.”