New app fast-tracks clearances

Trucks moving
Removal in
Transit (RIT) freight
through Zambia to
neighbouring countries
are being cleared at the
borders within twelve hours,
“on good days”, thanks to an
app developed by a bank for the
industry.
Using the app, which
communicates between the
Zambian customs, the bank and
CML systems, bond payment
can be made and confirmed
within 30 minutes of the cargo
dues being assessed by customs,
according to CML operations
manager, Richard Powell.
“The bank sent out a team
of developers from America
and worked closely with us,
others in the industry and the
Zambian Revenue Authorities
(ZRA) until we
got it right.”
CML has now been
using the system for some
time and it has proved to be
robust and able to handle over
200 entries a day, he says.
However it is not only
shippers of goods in transit
who are benefiting from ZRA’s
investment in new information
technology.
The introduction of the
Asycuda World customs system
has made it possible to pre-clear
cargo without the physical truck
being at the border.
“While trucks have been
cleared and are moving again
within 24 hours, our current
monthly average is 30 hours for
all clearances at all the Zambian
border posts.”