A range of electronic options speed documents for cross-border traffic

Having the correct documentation is a critical factor in crossborder freight traffic movement, according to Nachi Mendelow, the marketing representative of Compu-Clearing Outsourcing. And Compu-Clearing, he told FTW, has multiple solutions for cargo travelling through Africa. “Firstly,” he said, “we have a special system designed specifically for cross border transport to the BLNS countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland). This system allows for quick and easy capturing of data, and produces all the customs documentation necessary – from the bill of entry (BoE) to the road manifest. “Compu-Clearing is also linked to the SA Revenue Service (Sars) by electronic data interchange (EDI), allowing for documents to be processed and cleared before the truck even arrives at the border. This obviously increases efficiency dramatically and helps to reduce delays at the border.” The freight system specialist has also now integrated the system into Asycuda in Botswana – allowing a single capture of data to produce the documentation for both sides of the border. “We are currently working on integrating with Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland,” Mendelow added. Compu-Clearing has just released to the market a new web-based product – the international air waybill (AWB) production system. “This allows users to produce both master and house air waybills from anywhere in the world on neutral, pre-printed and plain paper,” Mendelow told FTW. “It also allows them to produce consolidation manifests, reserve air waybills for future use, and to print bar-code labels.” Added to that, and built into the system, is the ability to save, print, view and e-mail AWBs in PDF format. “The system lets users easily maintain multiple selling rates based on specific shippers, consignees, airlines and routes,” said Mendelow. “Live status enquiries can be done with a single click. The system also includes dynamic live databases providing accurate information on currency, country, city and airport codes, and including information on all major airlines.” Compu-Clearing’s third-party warehousing solution, Stash, is also designed to suit the African market – and is already being used in Uganda, Congo, Nigeria, Rwanda, Ghana and Benin. “This,” said Mendelow, “is a complete PC-based warehousing solution, using the latest in Windows-based technology and software. It allows users to manage and control all cargo moving through their warehouses and allows for easy production of goods received notes, goods delivered notes, stock control sheets, and multiple operational reports. “Stash is extremely scalable and can be used in companies ranging from a single user, up to 20 plus users.”