Airfreight industry works on systems with Sars

The air cargo industry is currently working with the SA Revenue Service (Sars) customs on the air cargo management (ACM) system, according to Alwyn Rautenbach, MD of Airlink Cargo and chairman of the Air Cargo Operators’ Committee (Acoc). These consultations with Sars are being conducted in conjunction with the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff). “It’s an integrated system,” Rautenbach told FTW, “and we are busy enhancing it. “Basically, the idea of the system is for manifest acquittal and removal in bond (RIB) to be submitted electronically. But there are a lot of additions that can be made because we think the system is brilliant. It can work with the airlines and benefit cargo movement.” A primary enhancement to the operation is to link it to the identification verification system (IVS). “Companies like Swissport and SAA have implemented IVS for access to their cargo terminals,” Rautenbach said. “It’s a method of vetting people so that they can be identified easily and accurately and can control access without any delays.” Acoc is aiming to enhance the flow of traffic, but with increased security, and intends to implement the ACM system countrywide through its member companies. “We also want to have it implemented for access to the common areas at the Airports Company of SA (Acsa), and we are working with them to implement it at all the airport cargo terminals around the country.