CargoSmart's NVOCC Customers Prepare for Japan's Advance Filing Rules

SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwired – Feb 20, 2014) – CargoSmart Limited, a leading Software as a Service (SaaS) global shipping and logistics solutions provider, today announced that its customers are preparing for Japan Customs’ Advance Filing Rules (AFR) that will take effect in March 2014. CargoSmart’s Japan AFR solutions will help non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) comply with the new regulations and manage their customs filings efficiently through its shipment management platform. NVOCC customers, including AIT, Apex Maritime, and BEL International Logistics, have started submitting test filings through CargoSmart to be ready for the regulation’s implementation in March.

Japan’s new regulations require ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and freight forwarders to electronically submit filings for all Japan-bound ocean cargo. As one of Japan Customs’ first authorized filing service providers, CargoSmart offers Japan AFR solutions that enable NVOCCs to submit complete, accurate, and timely filings through multiple platforms. Depending on their system and visibility needs, customers can submit filings through CargoSmart’s website, electronic data interchange (EDI), or a private label application embedded in their own website.

AIT Corporation, a Japan-based NVOCC that manages over 170,000 TEUs per year, selected CargoSmart’s online and EDI solutions to manage its Japan customs filings. “CargoSmart’s solutions will help us efficiently manage the large volume of Japan import filings each month,” said Hiroaki Imura, general manager, Osaka operation department of AIT Corporation. “Through CargoSmart’s platform, our global agents can prepare filings, saving us time processing information.”

The Apex Group has been preparing to use the online features of CargoSmart’s AFR solutions. “CargoSmart’s reliable and secure online platform enables us to submit customs filings smoothly,” said Kevin Bulger, chief operating officer at Apex. “CargoSmart’s sophisticated online dashboard will allow us to track our filing status and manage our ocean carrier shipments from one platform to help ensure shipments are delivered on time.”

CargoSmart’s private label AFR solutions enable NVOCCs to manage their filings and shipments through their own branded website. Maintaining their shipment data in the system allows NVOCCs to populate their information into the filing forms to minimize rekeying effort. Moreover, the system automatically derives the filing deadlines from the shipment data and reminds them when to file through the dashboard. NVOCCs can set up email notifications to let their customers know the status of their filings.

BEL International Logistics, one of the leading freight forwarders in Hong Kong, extends its cooperation with CargoSmart to Japan Customs filings. “We have confidence in CargoSmart’s solutions to help us to prepare for Japan’s new filing rules,” said Pat Liu, seafreight manager of BEL International Logistics. “We look forward to working with CargoSmart to further improve our operations processes through its advanced shipment management solutions.”

CargoSmart’s Japan AFR solutions complement CargoSmart’s full suite of shipment management solutions that provide shipment monitoring, transshipment milestone notifications, sailing schedules with vessel details, and a consistent customs filing interface to facilitate compliance. “As countries increasingly implement filing regulations for international trade security, managing shipment information efficiently becomes important to comply with customs’ requirements timely to prevent hefty penalties and cargo delays,” said Kim Le, director of CargoSmart North America. “NVOCCs, forwarders, and shippers can leverage CargoSmart’s comprehensive solutions to manage multiple customs filings through a single platform and improve their entire shipment management process.”

To learn more about Japan’s Advance Filing Rules, visit CargoSmart’s AFR Resource Center: http://www.cargosmarton.com/app/requestForm/afr_resource_center.htm or contact CargoSmart at info@cargosmart.com.

About AIT Corporation
AIT (www.ait-jp.com) is an integrated logistics company with all the logistics expertise that specializes mainly in China and Southeast Asia. According to the demand of customers, being able to propose the best service is the largest advantage of AIT. AIT supports all logistics processes, including maritime transport, air transport, customs clearance, and domestic distribution. In total, AIT handles approximately 170,000 TEUs a year.

About The Apex Group
Apex Maritime (www.apexshipping.com) is a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) based in South San Francisco, California. Founded in 1990, Apex has offices throughout Asia, North America, India and Europe. In 2013, Apex was the number two NVOCC in the transpacific trade to the United States. Apex handles more than 300,000 TEUs annually and prides itself in having leading information technology systems among NVOCCs. 

About BEL International Logistics
BEL International Logistics Limited (www.bel-intl.com) was established in 1978. It is one of the leading freight forwarders in Hong Kong. Its accumulated experience and talented people enable them to provide specialist services to its worldwide customers in the area of global freight forwarding for various products. Its working solutions are fit for various and special demands of exchanging goods on a global scale. BEL’s solutions can be in any combination of air and sea freight forwarding, as well as customized logistics projects. 

About CargoSmart
CargoSmart Limited (www.cargosmart.com) is a Software as a Service (SaaS) global shipping and logistics solutions provider that enables shippers, consignees, logistics service providers, NVOCCs, and ocean carriers to keep cargo moving and delivered on time. Award-winning shipment management applications include visibility, documentation, contract management, compliance, and private label solutions. CargoSmart launched its services in October 2000 and has helped over 22,000 customers lower transportation management costs, streamline operations, and reduce the risk of late shipments.