CLIVE EMDON IF YOU want to achieve speedy release of cargo, electronic data interchange is the way to go. It ensures release often within minutes, says Pieter Eksteen of Forward Air and Sea, “and what’s more we don’t have to provide documents attesting to who we are each time.” Eksteen says: “It took the company years to come right with Customs. Now that we are fully accredited EDI customers with Customs, we get the best of treatment.” Method is everything in the complex world of clearing and forwarding 50 to 100 air shipments a week by air and sea in containers, breakbulk and groupage, says Eksteen. His exports range from diamonds to clothing and machine parts, and imports from granite blocks to cars and trucks. The company has a long association with the Diamond Board, focusing on the import and export of diamonds internationally. Forward Air and Sea is a black-owned company with key black and white shareholders who have worked together for the past 25 years. It is a member of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA).
