Automated Cargo Management – Whipping up Industry Awareness

Following the recent posts on this subject, SARS took to ‘walking the talk’ this week. Over the last month a significant increase in registrations with Customs as well as vast improvements in successful electronic manifest data submission has occurred, mainly in the sea freight industry, however. This week’s initiative took the campaign to the hub of air cargo in southern africa – Oliver Tambo International Airport. Meetings were arranged with various stakeholders and industry bodies to reinforce customs cargo reporting requirements. The campaign was intended to offer an alternative approach to the usual formalities of the bi-monthly modernisation meetings. If necessary, further campaigns will be undertaken leading up to the mandatory enforcement of electronic manifest and cargo report submission for air and sea cargo operators in the very near future. SARS will soon be announcing a final cut-off date for voluntary registration for ACM and electronic submission, after which punitive measures will be introduced. Watch the Customs modernisation webpage for further details.