Znaczenie transportu drogowego w łańcuchu dostaw

What are the most important factors that influence the efficiency of road transport in the context of the organisation of supply chains?The importance of road transport in the supply chain

Rafał Maleta: The most important factors influencing efficiency are, first and foremost, the speed of action, efficient and effective decision-making, the ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions, the selection of appropriate subcontractors to perform the service and the monitoring of individual stages of order execution.

How do you optimise your logistics processes to ensure on-time delivery and minimise transport costs?

R.M.: Optimising logistics processes requires the application of several key strategies:

Tracking and supervising deliveries in real time, thanks to monitoring systems or direct contact with drivers. This allows us to control transport fulfilment in real time and to react to any delays or problems that arise suddenly. This minimises the risk of delays by managing vehicles and using route planning software to optimise routes.

Tracking and supervising deliveries in real time, thanks to monitoring systems or direct contact with drivers. This allows us to control transport fulfilment in real time and respond to any delays or problems that arise suddenly. This minimises the risk of delays

– Working with trusted and proven logistics partners who ensure timely, safe transportation and competitive prices. This is crucial to maintaining the quality of the service at the highest level.

– Minimising empty loading spaces. Whenever possible, we make maximum use of the capacity of the means of transport. Through the use of groupage lines, or by offsetting several loads on one car, we can reduce the cost of freight.

What are the biggest challenges of managing road transport in the face of rapidly changing market conditions?

R.M.: Fuel prices are one of the main factors influencing road transport costs. Rising oil prices, significantly affect the costs of the entire supply chain.

Another factor is sudden crises caused by, crises in other areas of transport that force a shift in the supply chain to a more secure solution. We need to be able to flexibly adapt our operations to changing conditions and directions in transport.

Changes in road transport regulations (UiT, EKAER, SENT), including emission standards, driver working time regulations, customs clearance, which force the introduction of new operational solutions and often generate additional costs, are also not insignificant.

We must be ready to adapt to changing regulations, fluctuating demand and increasing environmental requirements. Attention to cost optimisation, constant market monitoring as well as investment in new technologies are the key to successful management in this dynamic environment.

What measures are you taking to improve sustainability in the area of road transport?

R.M.: Optimising loads to maximise the use of vehicle loading space. Through the use of groupage lines, we try to maximise the use of vehicle space. Through better load planning and more efficient load management, we try to minimise the number of trips and the use of cars which ultimately helps to reduce the environmental impact.

How do you deal with unpredictable situations such as delays or changes in transport conditions to minimise their impact on customers?

R.M.: A key element in managing delays or sudden changes during transport is maintaining constant contact with customers. In the event of unpredictable situations, we immediately inform our customers of any changes. This allows customers to better prepare and plan their operations. At the same time, depending on the priority of the delivery, we also take action, the scope of which may include rerouting the transport to another route, changing the order of unloading or transshipment to another mode of transport.

What changes in customer expectations and market trends have the greatest impact on the organisation of road transport?

R.M.: Customers expect transport services tailored to their specific requirements. For some, it is the increased flexibility of services. For others, the need to implement environmental solutions. Others focus on ensuring fast, safe and priority deliveries. All these guidelines are crucial and influence the individual tailoring for transport organisations. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so we analyse the needs of each customer individually and tailor a suitable solution to their requirements.

Questions were answered by Lucyna Chojnacka, ASL customs expert with over 25 years of experience in customs law

What are the key responsibilities of a customs agent in the import and export process?

At the outset, it should be noted that a customs agent is very often confused with a customs officer. A customs officer is a customs and revenue officer, a civil servant working for the National Revenue Administration. A customs agent, on the other hand, represents entrepreneurs before the authorities of the customs and revenue office in matters relating to the circulation of goods and their marketing.

The list of duties of a customs agent is long. Among his/her main tasks we can include:

• completing and verifying the necessary commercial documents required for customs clearance
• advice on commodity classification
• calculation of customs duties, taxes and other charges advice on goods classification
• preparation and submission of import and export customs declarations
• representing clients before customs authorities during controls

What documents and formalities are necessary for customs clearance?

During international trade, it is important to prepare a number of key documents required for customs clearance. Presenting the correct set of documents enables faster customs clearance. The most important documents are:What documents and formalities are necessary for customs clearance?

• authority to carry out customs clearance
• commercial invoice – a document confirming a commercial transaction
• proforma invoice – a document stating the value of goods for customs purposes used in the case of non-commercial shipments, samples
• specification / packing list
• waybill depending on the mode of transport: air, sea, road, rail
• an invoice including transport costs – if based on INCOTERMS conditions
• permits/permits if required for the circulation of restricted or prohibited goods, e.g. food, pharmaceuticals, weapons, plants, etc.
• certificate of origin, CE declarations of conformity, certificates of analysis, health certificates, pallet fumigation certificate, SDS data sheet – if the imported goods require it

How can a customs expert help minimise costs and risks during customs clearance?

How can a customs expert help minimise costs and risks during customs clearance?

• advise on optimising the customs clearance process – thus avoiding delays and associated costs
• choose the right customs procedure – speeding up processes, reducing costs and even generating savings
• thoroughly prepares all required documents, verifies their correctness in accordance with the applicable regulations – thus minimising the risk of error and withholding of goods by the customs authority, which entails additional costs
• oraise legally for import and export sanctions and restrictions (dual-use and sanction goods verifications) – resulting in smooth customs clearance and avoiding additional costs for storing goods in temporary storage
• advise on the correct determination of customs value, anti-dumping duties, embargoes and the correct classification of goods – thus minimising the risk of errors and related penalties
• advise on customs preferences – which will help to reduce or completely eliminate customs duties on certain goods

What are the most common problems in import and export procedures?

In import and export procedures, we can encounter all sorts of problems that can lead to delays, additional costs and even financial penalties. Some of these are:

1. Incomplete or erroneous documentation:
2. Niekompletna lub błędna dokumentacja:
3. no transport documents
4. incorrect data on the value of the goods or the quantity
5. discrepancies between different documents (e.g. invoice and packing list or waybill)
6. no translation of what is being imported

• Incorrect merchandise classification – the use of an incorrect tariff code can result in overpayment of customs duties, penalties for underpayment and control by customs and revenue authorities.

• Mislabelling of goods, which can result in goods being detained by customs and not being released. Depending on the problem, there are several solutions to implement a corrective procedure.

• Delay in the delivery of documents or goods resulting in additional costs and problems with customs clearance.

• Incomplete delivery – discrepancy in quantity or type of goods between the actual condition and the documentation.

What are the key differences in customs procedures in different countries?

Familiarising oneself with the variety of regulations and customs procedures between different countries allows for efficient planning of trade activities and optimisation of the trader’s costs. This diversity of customs procedures concerns several aspects:

• customs rates – within the European Union the same customs rates apply while other countries have their own customs rate systems

• Customs procedures – each country has its own specific procedures, which vary according to the type of goods, their value or country of origin. Different rules apply for customs declarations, documentation and deadlines for the submission of documents. For example, the EU applies a common customs policy for all member states.

• Customs procedures – each country has its own specific procedures, which vary according to the type of goods, their value or country of origin. Different rules apply for customs declarations, documentation and deadlines for the submission of documents. For example, the EU applies a common customs policy for all member states.

• Phytosanitary, sanitary controls – some countries such as China and Australia apply strict sanitary and phytosanitary controls to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases

• Internal market protection policies – some countries apply higher tariffs on imported products to protect their own economies and local producers. An example is the policy in the US relating to certain steel or textile products

• restrictions and import bans – various countries introduce them for safety, public health or environmental reasons

• Customs controls – can vary from country to country. Some countries may have more detailed controls, while others may use simplified procedures.

How does customs clearance affect the fluidity of the supply chain?

In the system of logistics processes, customs clearance is a key element necessary for the smooth flow of goods across the border. The main aspects are:

• delays in deliveries that are caused by customs clearance. Customs procedures lengthen the delivery time of goods, which is why it is important to make use of professional customs support, which will have a significant impact on the timeliness of deliveries

• .customs documentation management – proper preparation and management of documents is key to ensuring the smoothness of customs processes. Every irregularity in documentation requires time to be clarified and corrected, which slows down the entire customs clearance process.

• customs control – in order to ensure the compliance of the customs declaration with customs legislation, the customs authority verifies the correctness and completeness of the information given in the customs declaration. It is also possible to control the goods with a so-called customs revision. This control extends the time for the completion of customs clearance. Using a professional customs agency with AEO status, among other things, reduces the number of customs controls, speeds up their execution and consignments selected for examination by customs authorities are treated as a priority.

• Liquidity – its loss is associated with the inability to pay current obligations and disruption of the continuity of supply. Selection of an appropriate customs procedure, e.g. fiscal, deferred VAT, 4200 procedure – allow not to pay VAT or postpone its payment.

Working with an experienced customs agency with AEO status that offers comprehensive customs handling, warehousing, transshipment, logistics and international transportation can significantly help optimize customs and tax costs, minimize the number of middlemen which will streamline the entire customs clearance process and make it easier to maintain liquidity in the supply chain.