News from South Africa

Traxon Europe now offers airlines and the South African Revenue Services (SARS) a two-way communication channel for EDI messages.

Following the lead set by the US, Canada, India, China and the European Commission, South Africa now requires advanced electronic reporting for security reasons, effective July 1st.

Airlines flying freight to South Africa must to declare all shipments onboard prior to arrival in South Africa by means of certain EDI messages to the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

Via an interface through a local partner, Traxon offers airlines a 100% reliable EDI link to SARS’s Manifest Acquittal System (MAS). Based on airline-supplied data, Traxon Europe sends flight manifest data on House Waybill level to MAS. On request, it also conveys customs status messages from SARS back to the airlines. Two airlines are already using the new TRAXON ACC South Africa solution.

Customs services all over the world have set themselves the goal to implement an electronic customs environment to make international trade easier, faster and safer. This development is strongly driven by the US and the EU.

Advanced reporting of export data for customs has been in force in the EU since July 2009, and the next phase to cover imports will become mandatory on January 1st, 2011. Many other countries have adopted similar measures or will introduce them in the near future. Parallel to this, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is working towards achieving a paperless air cargo industry.

Following the launch of V Australia’s new twice-weekly flight from Johannesburg to Melbourne and high customer demand for capacity on Virgin Atlantic Cargo’s daily services between Johannesburg and London, the airline has now brought sales in-house in South Africa.

The move precedes the recommencement of seasonal operations between Cape Town and Gatwick Airport on October 31st.