PPPs key to addressing clearance challenges

One of the single biggest
logistical challenges faced by
SA shippers is the release of cargo
and interference by border control
agencies – and it’s an issue that
needs to be addressed by both the
private sector and government
authorities,
in the view
of Michael
Henning,
general
manager
of software
service provider
Easyclear.
“It’s not
a problem
that can be
addressed
without
partnership and communication,”
said Henning.
The most recent World Bank
logistics performance index
rates South Africa’s performance
relatively well compared with
other countries on the continent,
while the country is outperforming
its BRICS partners.
“But there’s a drop in our rating
for customs, where the efficiency
of the clearance process and
formalities around border control
agencies, including customs, is
still problematic,”
he said.
“We do however
continue to score
high on timeliness,
with shipments
reaching their
destinations
within the
scheduled or
expected delivery
timeframes,
and logistics
competence and
quality of the logistics services
(transport operators and customs
brokers and the like) scoring high.”
Henning believes the next
year or two are likely to see
major changes in Customs and
border control agencies with the
release of the new Bill and Act.
“These influence the processes
and risk processing, facilitating
communication at an IT level
between border control and
customs agencies.”
The June 17 implementation
by South African Revenue
Service (Sars) of a new manifest
processing system (MPR)
designed to positively benefit
road, air and sea carriers is
seen as a positive step forward
in the streamlining of logistics
processes.
“EASYCLEAR is at the
forefront of the MPR,
an initiative under the
customs modernisation
programme with the aim of
improving the processing of
commercial cargo across
land border posts,” said
Henning.
“As a software
service provider,
EASYCLEAR plays
an integral role
in optimising the supply chain,
facilitating communication between
all parties and streamlining the
process by reducing the amount of
duplicate data
capture and
minimising
the risk to
business.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We are likely to see major
changes in Customs and
border control agencies
with the release of the
new Bill and Act.
– Michael Henning