Facilitating cross- border clearance

THE NEW computerised system for clearing and VAT administration in Botswana (ASYCUDA) makes border clearance easier and more time-efficient, according to Vijayakumar, managing director of Imperilog Botswana, which operates as a joint-venture with SA’s Imperilog Holdings. “The use of the direct trade input (DTI) on the electronic system,” he said, “has helped the industry in facilitating cross border clearance more efficiently.” His own company is now on-line to ASYCUDA - adding electronic clearance to its customs clearing product. As part of its customs clearing, warehousing, distribution and inventory management functions, Imperilog also has a bonded warehouse in the licensing jurisdiction of Botswana customs and is licensed to remove goods in bond with SA Revenue Service (SARS). This is a diversification of its previous focus on logistics support for the information technology (IT) industry - with the company now offering overnight cross border freight, removal of goods in bond and electronic customs clearances for general cargo.