‘Everyone has reaped the benefits of Customs modernisation’

Keeping ahead of the game is crucial when it comes to electronic solutions. Ridwaan Mohammed, customer support manager of Advanced Customs Solutions (ACS), says this not only ensures up-to-date solutions, but also facilitates effective communication with clients. According to Mohammed, ACS is one of the fastestgrowing customs clearing software providers in South Africa. “We operate a very userfriendly, windows-based application for the freight clearing and forwarding industry. We believe it is important to provide software solutions that make sense and allow our customers to achieve their set targets and goals.” Since the Customs modernisation process was first introduced, the company has seen a number of new customers signing up to use its system. “The trend at present is to focus on EDI and Internet with the main goal ensuring it all works seamlessly while also being secure for the end user. To bring this about we have had to invest heavily in extensive research and testing.” Mohammed says Customs modernisation has without doubt taken the industry to new heights. “With the phased implementation that Sars has set out with the modernisation programme, we believe that it has not impacted the industry in a negative way. With customs and service providers meeting regularly to put their minds together in order to find simpler ways and means for customs processes, we believe that everyone has reaped the benefits of the modernisation process.”