(openPR) - New Guide to help steer the freight community through the latest changes that are taking place to international trade customs compliance issues
Agency Sector Management (ASM), the UK’s leading developer and supplier of software solutions to the freight community, has released Version 12 of GeMS, providing users with full functionality to handle the changes which are being implemented to international trade customs compliance by HM Revenue & Customs HMRC) from 1st July.
The GeMS (Global E-cargo Management System) product provides users with an integrated cargo management solution, including a consistent interface for import and export processing and all documentation.
ASM’s chairman Peter MacSwiney says: “July 1st sees the introduction of the Economic Operator Registration and Identification number (EORI) and the EU-wide Export Control Systems (ECS) that will impact on the systems of users.
“After extensive, real-time Beta trials involving many of our users, version 12 of GeMS is now on general release with all the ECS and EORI Customs functionality in place. The software and full upgrade instructions can be downloaded from: www.asm.org.uk/docs/gems_downloads.htm
The launch of Version 12 of GeMS confirms ASM’s mission to provide a “one-stop” suite of software solutions to UK freight forwarders. As a non-profit making organisation, owned by GeMS users, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver cost effective and efficient systems to UK freight agents, enabling them to meet their own customers’ demanding expectations and gain peace of mind from the compliance-focused tools.
Recently, to help steer the freight community through the latest changes that are taking place to international trade customs compliance issues, ASM produced a comprehensive, user-friendly Guide available as a download from asm.org.uk/docs/documentation/July_2009_Changes.pdf.
The document contains detailed chapters on significant elements of the new rules, including: ECS; EORI; NCTS – New Computerised Transit System; as well as five specimen forms, and a comprehensive glossary of terms and abbreviations.
The Guide is proactive in informing freight forwarders, shippers, exporters and importers just what rules are changing, and highlights the new requirements for information that HMRC now has.
Adds Mr MacSwiney: “Quite simply, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Those connected with foreign trade, either as importers or exporters, are doubtless aware that HMRC is introducing changes to procedures on 1st July. We know these changes affect import, export and NCTS procedures and this prompted us to write a guide to the changes and what needs to be done after 1st July. We strongly recommend and urge those affected to click on our link and download this Guide to see how their operations will be affected.
The Guide is aimed at providing full information on the significant changes that are being introduced across the European Union affecting the way both import and export customs declarations are made; these changes are as a result of regulations brought in relating to safety and security issues.
ASM has also confirmed that its Sequoia Project under which it is developing its next generation of freight forwarding solutions is on track. Sequoia will replace GeMS as the company’s flagship product and take full advantage of the most recent technological advances.
“The European freight and logistics industry is in the midst of massive changes,” adds Mr MacSwiney. “The changes to ECS and EORI are part of the EU Multi Annual Strategic Plan (MASP) which represents a paradigm shift in compliance issues for any company involved in global trade and international supply chains.
“Most of the changes are linked to EU initiatives under the general heading of Electronic Customs Systems and Projects and all have a bearing on computer software requirements. With Sequoia, ASM will further consolidate its position as the leading provider of freight software by addressing directly the implications of the changes to international trade Customs compliance.”
Agency Sector Management is a representative body and provider of leading edge software and unparalleled support to members of the freight community.
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