Mitigating delays at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe is part and parcel of every operator’s strategy – and a strong motivation for the opening of an office at the border by BP Freight. The company, which specialises in consolidations between South Africa and Zimbabwe, has seen a significant increase in volumes over the past year, according to director Peter Loram – and increased volumes translate into increased congestion. “Setting up an office at Beitbridge should help us to speed up cargo movement and minimise delays,” he told FTW. The office opened last month (January). Loram says transit times through the border range from two to four days. “Trucks can sometimes sit in the queue for more than a day after customs clearing. Regular power cuts on the Zimbabwe side add pressure. “While they do have a generator, they cannot process entries.” The actual customs clearance process is a lot more efficient since EDI was introduced, says Loram, but it’s a question of volumes outpacing the resources. “Beitbridge is the entry point not only for Zimbabwe but for Mozambique where there’s a lot of development, Malawi, Zambia and the DRC. As the region’s economy is growing, so are the volumes.” The key is to eliminate problems before trucks reach the border. “That means getting authorisation from the importer or clearing agent to ensure that all duties are in place in advance of arrival.”
