Integrating disparate systems to provide an uninterrupted view of the supply chain is one of the biggest challenges facing the movement of cargo across borders, according to Michael Henning, sales manager at Easy Clear.
“Technology has never been a challenge, in fact the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has gifted trade with the ability to facilitate trade across borders more seamlessly,” he said.
“Software as a service or S.a.a.S solutions available to the market through companies such as ours are a step in the right direction to mitigate the challenges and risks associated with technology across an international supply chain.”Forward-thinking software service providers and supply chain role-players, he said, were also increasingly implementing “blockchain” solutions to address challenges while providing digital footprints to communities and organisations that previously would not have had this.
“We are seeing progress in the cross-border sector with countries liberalising exchange and financial restrictions, although more needs to be done with countries that have more stringent controls in place to facilitate the harmonisation process,” he said.
“There has been a vast improvement across all border posts brought about by the modernisation process implemented by Sars years ago. This modernisation is not only applicable to the software solutions implemented but is underpinned by the modernised Customs Act and legislation supporting it.”
But, for improved trade, the region needs solutions that speak to each other.“With the right political will, integration and greater co-operation is achievable, but it will require addressing many of the legislative and other regulatory processes that are often stumbling blocks as they are not keeping up with the technological changes brought by the 4IR,” he said.
“The transport sector and customs brokers, in fact anyone in the supply chain, will attest to the delays caused by a myriad of reasons, from incomplete or incorrect documentation to weather-related or legislative-related delays, which inevitably increase costs due to standing time, storage and demurrage.”
A harmonised system, said Henning, that facilitated trade and removed barriers, would decrease border delays significantly and certainly play a role in addressing the cost of doing business across borders.“We need to do business more easily and more cost effectively."
