Speedy customs clearance provides the edge

Roadfreight shippers may
lament the state of Angola’s road
conditions and seafreight shippers
may bewail the country’s port
congestion, but for SA shippers
sending cargo to that destination
this is background noise that does
not lessen their desire for quick
delivery of their goods. Firms that
have shown a knack of achieving
speedy deliveries to Angola have
found customers gravitating
their way.
“What helps us is we do customs
clearance right in our Johannesburg
office. All the documents that are
needed are completed before the
cargo is shipped out,” said Moses
Abbosey, managing director of the
clearing and forwarding firm Royal
Gold Shipping Agency, located in
the city’s Central Business District.
“When clients started coming to
us to have cargo shipped to Angola,
they knew we were capable of
shipping any kind of cargo and we
knew we could make an impact
in that country. We are targeting
that market, and believe we are
the fastest in terms of clearing
goods,” said Abbosey, whose firm
moves cargo for individuals and
corporations from perishables like
fruits, vegetables and frozen food
to consumer items and
project cargo.
The seafreight leg is done by
Royal Gold Shipping using MACS
and other lines, while road freight
is handled by liaising with surface
transporters. What happens at the
border is crucial to swift delivery
of goods.
“We have a network agent
there who specialises in customs
clearing. Our volumes to Angola
now are such that we are opening
an office there either at the end of
this year or at the beginning of next
year,” said Abbosey.