Maersk Customs Services USA has launched a system that updates the vessel estimated time of arrival (ETA) so that customers can perform real-time business planning and can access reports to manage their supply chain.
In a period when ETAs change continuously due to the US port congestion impacting importers, this solution is expected to help clients project financial risk in terms of what they have in transit, at the port and what is Customs cleared.
Maersk’s subsidiary, which works with companies to ensure their international business, is Customs compliant and can manage the financial risk and opportunities associated with global shipments, uses a cloud-based system that updates info in real-time and gives this dashboard view in a clear format, while future versions are projected to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to provide enhanced predictive modelling.
The country’s primary border control organisation, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), focuses on overseas vendors and on ensuring that importers have strong internal controls over their manufacturing process.
In particular, when an importer gets informed that a vessel with their cargo has docked at a US port, they may get a notification from CBP that the shipment will be detained for inspection and supplier documentation is requested, which adds further delay and cost to the supply chain.
“We advise importers to know your supply chain in detail with your vendors. That means know your vendors’ vendor and then know their vendors as well because CBP is looking at sourcing patterns and all downstream countries involved in the manufacturing process,” said Melinda Damico, a licensed Customs House Broker and Head of Client Services for Maersk Customs Services USA.
“We see C-suite level executives requesting a dashboard view of duties paid that quarter, highest value vendors, most used Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) codes and countries of origin for that quarter,” added Damico.
Maersk Customs Services USA called importers to check on their financial risk and mitigation strategies as many Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) numbers will be eliminated.
The company also uses a real-time system that shows this data as well as a process of monthly business reviews and quarterly business reviews as a proven method to ensure both parties manage the business effectively, with the expertise of Trade Services and Client Services specialists.
