Maersk has announced the launch of a new online Customs Clearance platform covering seven European countries, as it looks to increase its use of digital tools to streamline international transport.
The new online system currently applies to Germany, France, Denmark, The Netherlands, Poland, the United Kingdom and Spain, ahead of an expected global launch by the end of 2019, the company said.
“This new one-stop-shop allows us to timely and efficiently handle export and import declarations for our customers. The solution provides downstream benefits of full governance and compliance, eliminates the need to provide a quote as pricing is displayed online, saving three to five minutes per quote,” said Vincent Clerc, Chief Commercial Officer at A.P. Moller – Maersk.
“In other words, it saves our customers time, money and headaches reducing the number of intermediaries they deal with from three or four to just one, as well as paperwork which subsequently reduce the time spent on transactional procedures. Time saved they can then devote to grow their businesses.”
Maersk has already piloted the Ocean and Customs Clearance shipping management platform in Germany for close to two years, where it says that the benefits of the online system have been clearly demonstrated.
“It is perfect to book our service request only with one online platform without contacting further operational departments,” said Robert Weber from Speditionsabteilung at Neenah Gessner GmBH, an early system user.
“We prefer local language and we appreciate collaboration between the responsible departments within Maersk. We welcome the possibility to have all Customs House Brokerage documents uploaded on the internet platform (quick, plus easy handling).”
“Would be good to have one invoice handling in the future, but okay for now. The Customs House Broker service provided by the relevant departments is excellent.”
This new online functionality will cover all types of cargo for all Maersk brands, the company said.
