Paperwork key to speedy clearance of time-sensitive cargo

Ongoing border congestion has African
consolidators skittish about timesensitive
cargo – with many preferring
not to consolidate perishables. It is
possible though, if certain challenges
are addressed.
This was highlighted
in a roundtable
discussion chaired by
Lindie Stroebel, general
manager for the Produce
Marketing Association
(PMA) in Southern
Africa, at the Cargo
Africa 2016 show held in
Johannesburg recently.
“It takes a lot of
planning to consolidate
a load – and when timesensitive
cargo such as flowers or fruit
is added to the mix, it is crucial that the
supply chain sees as little interruption
as possible,” she said.
But, said managing director of Agriinvest
Transport, Kobus Geyer, border
officials work according to calendars,
not watches. “There are however ways to
ensure quicker cargo clearance and that
includes ensuring all your paperwork
is up to date and is submitted at least
72 hours prior to the arrival of the
shipment at the border.”
Stroebel added that paperless systems
could also speed up the clearance process
but that those operating or supplying
the systems should consider the efficacy
of these systems. “How paperless is the
system actually and what happens when
the system is down?”
According to her, the
paperless systems cannot
become “humanless” as
there needs to be a voice
at the other end of the line
when a problem occurs or
the system crashes.
There also needed to be
a strong and harmonised
institutional plan at
all borders, with active
participation from all
users across the supply
chain, commented Stroebel.
Mlungisi Nhlanhla, manager at
Grains Olam South Africa, pointed out
that three factors created congestion at
borders – inadequate infrastructure,
policy inconsistencies and a lack of
political will to address the first two
challenges.
“Governments recognise the value of
trade but businesses need to ensure they
have a voice at high-level to ensure that
those who can address these challenges
hear their needs.
INSERT & CAPTION
It is crucial that the
supply chain sees as
little interruption as
possible.
– Lindie Stroebel