Clive Emdon JOHANNESBURG-based ICT company Compu-Clearing provides the software for some 60-70% of cargo coming into the country – including cars and parts in the automotive industry, says MD, Johan du Preez. “Our business is to make the clearing process on imports and exports as quick as possible,” he says “It is vital for agents to have all the records on all items, to enable exporters to obtain IRCCs (import rebate credit certificates) that can be offset against their imports.” Exporters are entitled to claim IRCCs as part of the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), and may legitimately trade these with importers and in doing so derive optimum benefits, says Du Preez. All IRCC credits and duties to Customs are entered and submitted by an electronic data interchange (EDI) system through which commercial invoices and information are provided electronically. On imports clearing agents use the EDI system for exchanges of commercial invoices. “In the automotive industry all completely built up units (CBUs) ‘on rubber’ (on tyres) and completely knocked-down units (CKDs) comprising locally produced parts and accessories require extensive documentation. The Compu-Clearing model provides modified software that allows for a data exchange with the manufacturer,” says du Preez. “Toyota, for example, uses a SAP system with cargo ready documents which allow for a seamless exchange between data systems. “Before there can be a Customs authorisation for release of goods or to earn credits, there has to be reconciliation between the record of transaction used by the manufacturer and MIDP inputs. There also has to be proof of customs authorisation for credits to show that the vehicle has left the country.” Du Preez says the AS 400 series of software in use can be tailor-made for the client and the manufacturer. “For imports the system might include the local manufacturer, Customs and the agent. It pays the duties and does the clearance. For exports it includes the manufacturer who produced the vehicle and the agent, it produces bills of entry that are submitted to customs and cleared, and provides details of the transaction in a controlled process.” He says software for imports and exports is continually being reviewed and modified depending on the Customs process, new trade agreements, and new technologies for data exchange.
