Joint live presentation by the Waltershof Customs Office, the Hamburg Freight Forwarders Association and DAKOSY / Faster Customs processing through the integration of Import Message Platform

Customs clearance in the Port of Hamburg can be carried out quickly, smoothly and efficiently. On August 29, 2018, approximately 85 forwarding agents were able to see the benefits for themselves during a live presentation hosted by the Waltershof Customs Office, the Hamburg Freight Forwarders Association (VHSp) and DAKOSY. As part of the 5th VHSp Customs Workshop, Customs and DAKOSY simulated examples of import processes on two screens, beginning with the ship’s arrival through to hinterland transport. On one screen, DAKOSY demonstrated how the economic operators - shipowners, freight forwarders, Customs declarants and terminals - can handle import processes including all IMP functions, while on the adjoining screen Customs presented its corresponding workflow. The first example showed the optimal process. All information provided by the involved parties was input at an early stage and was consistent; Customs could thus approve the processing immediately. In the second example, the description of the goods was not clear, so Customs had to order an inspection. However, Customs was again able to inform the economic operators early enough so everyone could make timely adjustments in order to cope with the delay in the import process.

In the subsequent discussion period, the forwarding agents cited other special circumstances that could stand in the way of a smooth import process. It became clear that the use of the digital platform would in most cases have ensured faster problem solving and processing, as the flow of information between participants is optimally supported. In conclusion, Thomas Schröder, Deputy Managing Director of the Hamburg Freight Forwarders Association, thanked the Customs Office for their good teamwork and collaboration, acknowledging that has helped to achieve a degree of digitization in Customs clearance in the Port of Hamburg that supports the economy to a degree with which few other European ports can compare. At the same time, he urged his members to make greater use of the IMP in the future. Only by using its intelligent functions and automations, combined with the willingness of Customs to use these functions for their inspections, can simplified and thus efficient Customs processing be implemented in the Port of Hamburg.