Sars gearing up for data integration with Sacu partners

Finding the correct electronic solution is now more important than ever before, especially in the light of the Customs Modernisation Programme, says Michael Henning, general manager of Easyclear. “Sars has made some significant changes not just in the way they do business but also in terms of meeting industry needs and international standards. And they are making trade facilitation improvements all the time.” According to Henning the Customs Modernisation express train is moving ahead with or without companies. “We are constantly in the process of updating our programmes to ensure we are on board this particular train because if you are not you might as well not be in business,” he told FTW. “It is all about leveraging the entire process to one’s advantage to ensure customers benefit, and to do that one has to be at the forefront of technology while constantly evolving and upgrading one’s products.” For Henning and his team that means providing their clients with options. “For us that is what electronic solutions are all about. On one side there is the stable set of core products, while on the other there are those that are continuously evolving, allowing one to advance and increase service offerings.” With Customs already gearing up for its next big project – data integration with its Sacu partners – the pressure is on IT companies to keep up, says Henning. “There is much pressure for this data integration as it will mean an export entry for South Africa, once passed, will be sent electronically to the neighbouring country, bypassing the need for an import entry.”