Category: Uncategorized

10 years of innovation in logistics – CrossTrades OBL meeting in Kuala Lumpur

We recently had the pleasure of attending the 10th anniversary meeting of CrossTrades OBL, held in dynamic Kuala Lumpur – the city of contrasts and inspiration! Our representative, Adam Rutkiewicz, partner and board member, was honoured to represent us at this prestigious forum.

During the event, logistics industry leaders from around the world shared their knowledge, experiences and vision for the future of global trade. The conversations were full of energy and innovative ideas!

Thanks to the experience gained and the relationships established, we are even better equipped to deliver top quality solutions to our customers. This event not only strengthens our position in the international network, but above all inspires us to continue growing!

Many thanks to the organisers and all participants for the inspiring atmosphere. We look forward to the next opportunities to work together!

We are happy to announce that our Gdynia branch of ASL has changed location! You will now find us in a modern, larger office at 31 Janka Wiśniewskiego Street in Gdynia.

Our new office has been designed with our team’s comfort and needs in mind – offering spacious interiors, inspiring areas for teamwork and modern facilities that promote efficiency and collaboration. We believe these changes will allow us to operate even more efficiently and effectively for our clients and partners.

Welcome to our new office – a new location, but the same passionate and committed team!

As early as 31.10.2024, the new systems AES/ECS2 PLUS and NCTS2 PLUS will be launched, which will revolutionise the way customs clearance is declared via the PUESC platform. After this date, it will no longer be possible to use the old versions of the systems – all transit and export operations will have to be initiated exclusively in the new systems.

What do these changes mean in practice? A key prerequisite for using these systems is to register with PUESC, if you have not already done so, now is the best time to do so.

ASL is already one step ahead. By setting up a test environment, our experts were able to familiarise themselves with the new systems and test them thoroughly. We can therefore assure you that we are fully ready to report customs clearances correctly, without any difficulties using the new systems.

The implementation of AIS PLUS, the system for import declarations, has been postponed until 1 January 2025.

We are proud that as a company, we constantly ensure the highest quality of service and smooth customs operations!

In order for a packaged good (prepared for retail sale, e.g. packaged in smaller units) to be considered as originating in the European Union (EU), it must meet certain conditions regarding the rules of origin of goods. These rules derive from EU customs legislation and are designed to determine the extent to which a product has actually been produced or processed in the EU.

What conditions must a good meet to be classified as originating in the European Union?

1. In order for goods to be labelled as made in the EU, they must be…. fully manufactured in the EU

If the raw materials or intermediate products of which the good is composed originate entirely within the EU, the origin of the good can be considered to be EU. An example would be an agricultural product, such as fruit harvested in an EU Member State.

2. Goods must be sufficiently processed in the EU

If the good is manufactured from raw materials originating outside the EU, it is crucial that the processing in the EU is advanced enough to be considered an EU-origin product. These criteria may vary depending on the type of goods and are set out in customs regulations.

What processing of a good carried out within the EU can cause it to be classified as a product originating in the European Union?

• Tariff reclassification – a product changes its tariff category according to the Combined Nomenclature (CN) as a result of processing in the EU.
• Added value – the value of materials and processing in the EU must reach a certain percentage of the value of the final product (e.g. a minimum of 50% of the value must come from the EU).
• Specific operations – in some cases, the legislation specifies in detail what operations must be carried out in the EU for a product to obtain EU origin status.

3. the status of ‘goods from the European Union’ will not be obtained by labelling, packaging and other simple operations on the product

Operations such as packing, labelling, sorting, cleaning or packaging are not considered sufficient to confer ‘EU origin’ status. This means that if goods imported from outside the EU are merely packed or transferred into retail packaging in the EU, they cannot be considered to have EU origin.

4. What documentation and certificates are needed to mark goods as originating from the EU?

In order for goods to be considered as originating in the EU, a company must be able to document the origin of the raw materials and the processing processes. In some cases, it is necessary to obtain a certificate of origin, which confirms that the product complies with EU rules of origin.

What rules govern the recognition of goods as having been produced within the European Union?

In order for goods processed from components purchased outside the European Union to be considered as originating in the EU, they must comply with certain rules of origin, which depend on the type of goods. In particular, these rules are set out in the EU Customs Code and in trade agreements concluded between the EU and other countries.

There is no one-size-fits-all percentage that can be applied to all goods, as regulations vary depending on the industry and type of product. However, some general principles can be identified:

1. what is the added value (Value-Added Rule) a product must have in order to obtain the qualification: produced in the EU’?

In some cases, a product may be considered EU-origin if a certain proportion of its value is derived from production processes or materials originating in the EU. Typically:

• A minimum of 50% of the added value of the final product must come from the EU. This means that the value of EU-sourced materials and EU processing costs must account for at least half of the value of the final product.

2. Tariff Shift Rule for a product when placed on the EU markets

For some products, the rules of origin may require that the final product, after processing in the EU, be in a different tariff category according to the Combined Nomenclature (CN) than the materials used in its production. For example, the raw materials may belong to one tariff class and the final product to another, allowing the product to be considered as originating in the EU.

3. Specific operations (Specific Process Rule) on products according to rules of origin:

For some products, the rules specify specific operations that have to be carried out in the EU for the product to be considered EU-origin. Sometimes these operations are more specific than the general value-added rule. Examples are chemical or textile products for which specific technological processes are defined.

4. maximum share of non-EU originating materials:

In some cases, the regulations may specify that the maximum share of materials originating outside the EU must not exceed a certain threshold. This is often, for example, 40-50% of the value of the final product. In such a case, no more than 40-50% of the value of the good can come from materials or components from third countries for the product to be considered EU-origin.

*Have doubts about the classification of goods when importing from non-EU countries? Do you need help to import correctly? We look forward to working with you – we offer comprehensive support from our specialists in the import and export of goods to and from non-EU markets. We design supply chains and organise the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way to transport your goods in Poland and around the world. Please use our contact form to enter all your questions about prices, methods and possibilities of organising transport with ASL.

Last Saturday, ASL employees from the offices in Warsaw, Nadarzyn, Gdynia, Katowice and Wrocław joined together to take part in one of the most famous running events in the capital – Run Warsaw! Despite the rain and cold, our team did not give in to the weather. Some covered the full distance of the run – 10 km, while others took part in the accompanying event I’m marching – I’m cheering, supporting the runners and building team spirit.

Sport, like our daily projects, is not only about individual achievement, but above all about teamwork. At ASL, we believe that whatever the situation – whether on the running track or in the office – working together leads to success.

Congratulations to everyone who, despite the adverse conditions, showed that the ASL team is unstoppable! We look forward to our next challenges together.

The photos show our athletes who also found room for healthy competition during their sporting activities.

The UK’s decision to leave the European Union has caused changes in the logistics market. What does the transport of goods between the UK and Poland look like after Brexit and how to plan supply chains between Poland and the UK to minimise costs?

With the UK leaving the European Union, the country became a ‘third country’ for Poland in transport and goods have to be transported in customs transit. After Brexit, the islands left the European Economic Area (EEA), controls reappeared at the borders, the waiting time for goods to enter (and leave) has increased significantly Currently, customs procedures do not affect transport times. It takes place smoothly so this mention can be omitted, and the number of documents needed to legally import and export goods to and from the Islands has multiplied significantly.

*ASL is a logistics company that helps organise the formalities for customs, transport and storage of goods. We prepare shipping documents, give full monitoring and advise on organising import/export. We offer general cargo by road, sea and air, as well as full-load international (and domestic) transport, always at the lowest prices.

Carriage of goods by road to and from the UK after Brexit – our company helps organise the formalities

TiRs and other cars transporting goods by road can be stopped by the UK Border Agency to check customs documents, the driver’s entitlement, to check the technical condition of the vehicle, as well as the conformity of the load being transported with the transport documents.

When transporting goods to and from the UK from Poland and other EU countries, transport clearance, opening of transit, closing of transit, and import clearance must be carried out. Everyone involved in the supply chain regardless of which way they are going) must have a GB EORI number.

Transport to the UK – requirements for drivers (code 95, GMR number)

Drivers carrying our cargo, moving within the UK, must be ready at all times to show the Code 95 to the UK services (Code 95 is very rarely used. It is better to replace it with the generic name of Certificate of Professional Competence for Drivers ( CPC ) entered on the driving licence or the relevant entry certifying that they are a professional driver, recorded on the driver’s qualification card.

Over time, the need to register with GVMS, the goods vehicle service system, was also introduced. This applies to any vehicle carrying freight that has entered the UK from abroad and wishes to deliver goods to a consignee located within the UK. The exporter/agent/shipper should provide the haulier with all the customs and other route documents that will be required for the driver to declare That we have registered with the GVMS system, the UK services find out as soon as we cross the border. (Some or all of the documents prepared can be sent digitally so that an individual number can be generated in advance – we must then have an individual GMR number generated for us, which certifies that we have made a full customs declaration. To obtain this number, it is necessary to create a UK Government Gateway account and register there. For this to be possible, it is necessary to obtain an EORI number issued to Polish carriers by the National Tax Administration. ASL as a logistics company provides a comprehensive, compliant transport service from EU countries to the UK – contact our staff for details of a quote for your individual case!

Freight transport to the UK – cabotage ban

In the course of carrying out a number of changes associated with the UK’s gradual exit from the European Union, the rules relating to cabotage have tightened. At the end of 2022, changes to the regulations came into force, according to which cabotage operations can be carried out within the UK provided,Each journey can include up to 2 cabotage operations in the UK , provided that they are carried out after a journey with a load from the EU and within 7 days of unloading in the UK . that the car has entered the islands with the imported goods, with only two operations allowed within 7 days. Transport operations can only be carried out entirely with the same vehicle (or combination of vehicles).

There have also been changes when it comes to intermodal transport. Here, the British have banned the receipt of goods using trailers that are unregistered in the UK. It is also not possible to access the loading and unloading of intermodal freight more than 25 km from the British coastal border.

Transport to the UK after Brexit – changes in 2024

As of 30 April 2024, changes to the way border controls are carried out on goods entering the UK from European Union countries came into force. The UK has set up Border Control Posts (BCPs) where animal products, plants and plant products defined as medium risk are inspected.

Summary – changes in transport after Brexit

The UK’s exit from the European Union has not impeded imports and exports (on the contrary – according to indicators, imports and exports between the UK and EU countries are growing year on year), but it has significantly increased the costs of transport, warehousing, as well as indirect costs related to transport (companies must, for example, employ additional staff to handle transport in its new form) and made the whole process more complicated. ASL is perfectly positioned to navigate the meanders of post-Brexit logistics – also for non-standard goods, i.e. transport of medicines to and from the UK, transport in the food industry, or transport of machinery, bulky items, electronics and non-standard goods. Contact us and quote for the transportation of your cargo quickly!

SENT, the System for Electronic Surveillance of Transport, is a road monitoring system, which primarily serves to track so-called sensitive goods. This category includes goods such as, for example, heating fuels, biodiesel, lubricating oils or denatured alcohols whose transport:

– commencing and terminating on the territory of Poland,  
– commencing and terminating outside the territory of Poland (export) 
– commencing outside the territory of Poland and terminating on the territory of Poland (import)

When do you have to report SENT as a carrier?

Anyone who trades and intermediates in the transport of the above-mentioned products is obliged to register on the PUESC platform (Platform for Electronic Fiscal and Customs Services). Only after registration do we gain access to SENT-related services. Each time a new notification is created, an individual notification number is generated along with three individual access keys. Each of these has a different function and allows you to update (consignor), complete data (carrier) or close (consignee). The SENT reference number is valid for 10 days from the date of issue. 
However, please note that after the 10-day period, the number will automatically expire and the receiving party (in the case of domestic sales) will not be able to confirm receipt of the goods.

e-TOLL, or how to run SENT

For the haulier, there is an obligation to equip the means of transport with a device that transmits geolocalisation data. Currently, the most convenient way is to install the e-Toll application on a GPS-enabled mobile device. Once correctly configured, an individual business number will be assigned to the device. This number is later required when updating the SENT declaration. Please also note that simply registering the device is not sufficient. Each time before starting a transport, it is necessary to launch the application and select the ‘start journey’ option for the corresponding SENT declaration number. A similar action should be performed after the delivery by selecting ‘end journey’.

Which goods are covered by SENT? How to check the list of goods subject to the SENT procedure?

The list of goods covered by the SENT monitoring system includes a variety of categories, including:

• fuels, i.e. petrol, oils, heating and engine fuels,
• other substances: lubricants, binders, solvents, textile grease preparations, dried tobacco, cigarette ribbons and cigarette papers, denatured and undenatured ethyl alcohol,
• waste: paints, varnishes, solvents, adhesives, as well as other waste specified in the applicable regulations.

In order to check whether the goods you are transporting are covered by the SENT procedure, you need to verify the commodity code in the Combined Nomenclature (CN) and then check in the Electronic Transport Supervision System whether the given commodity number is covered by monitoring.

What is the penalty for failure to declare SENT?

It should be mentioned that all entities involved in the transport of goods are obliged to supplement and/or promptly update the data contained in the declaration. An entity failing to declare the carriage of so-called sensitive goods in the SENT system (System of Electronic Transport Supervision) may receive a fine of 45% of the value of the goods, but no less than PLN 20,000. An additional PLN 10,000 – for the lack of a geolocaliser.

On the other hand, a driver who has not checked the reference number that the declared goods should have must face a fine of between PLN 5,000 and PLN 7,500.

If the receiving/acquiring entity fails to comply with the obligation to close the SENT declaration, it may face a penalty of:

1) PLN 5000 – in the case of a business entity;

2) PLN 1,000 – in the case of a non-business entity.

Which goods are not covered by the SENT procedure?

• consignments which are subject to the customs procedures of transit, storage, temporary admission, processing and export,
• consignments moving under suspension of excise duty using the EMCS,
• carriage of goods by means of transport belonging to state bodies (police, ABW, border guards).

Transport of goods under the SENT procedure with ASL

Naturally, we carry out such transports as part of our ASL Road and ASL Rail Freight business lines. Depending on the customer’s expectations, we carry out the transport of goods under the SENT procedure or comprehensively carry out a logistics project, one element of which is transport under the procedure in question: from advice and support in notifying the PUESC system, transport in accordance with the requirements set out in the procedure, warehousing and transhipment services at our own and partner warehouses and distribution at home or abroad.

The transport of goods from China to Poland is a topic of great interest to importers. A key aspect of choosing the mode of transport of goods from China is the delivery time, which looks different depending on the mode of delivery: in 2024 it can be either air, rail or sea transport, but also – increasingly popular – intermodal transport (e.g. a combination of air and rail on different routes). ASL, as a company that handles the transport of goods from China by sea, land, air, can help you organise the whole process efficiently. Below, we will discuss how much transport from China to Poland takes and what the options are and how ASL can help organise it.

Transporting goods from China by air is the fastest option, but how long exactly does it take to transport from China to Poland? How long does a container from China take?

If time is a priority for you, transport from China by air is the fastest delivery method. Air freight from China mainly transports electronics, parts for the automotive industry, as well as cosmetics or medical devices.

How long does it take to transport goods from Poland to China?

An air shipment from selected Chinese airports can reach Polish airports in as little as one day, while this time may be longer depending on the place of departure, the destination airport and the type of service selected. As a standard, therefore, we should assume that in the case of door-to-door transport from China to Poland, the transport time ranges from 3 to 14 days, depending on a number of factors which our forwarding agents try to control effectively so that it is as cheap, fast and safe as possible.

ASL specialises in organising air transport, ensuring that every detail is secured, which determines that the customer is ultimately reassured that their shipments – regardless of size – will arrive at their destination. We offer a comprehensive logistics service – from collection of the goods in China, through customs formalities, to delivery to the indicated address. You can find out about the possibilities of organising import from China or any other form of cooperation with China that requires efficient transport by filling in the short form: https://asl.pl/wsparcie/zapytaj-o-usluge/. Odpowiemy, jak wyglądają ceny za ściągnięcie kontenera z Chin w Twoim indywidualnym przypadku, podpowiemy, czy transport lotniczy z Chin opłaca się bardziej, czy mniej od transportu towarów morskiego i opowiemy o formalnościach, jakich należy dopełnić, ściągając towar z Chin do Polski.

How long does it take to import a container from China to Poland?

We have arrived at a key question for the novice importer interested in ordering large quantities of goods from China to Poland. One of the most popular ways to import bulk quantities of goods from China is, of course, container shipping. How long does shipping from China take? Container shipping time depends on the route chosen and the type of transport. Let’s find out how long it takes to import a container from China to Poland versus Germany:

1. Sea freight from China to Poland – Sea freight of containers from China is approximately 35-45 days depending on the port of loading. ASL handles China-Poland sea freight, taking care of all logistics related to loading, documentation and delivery to the customer. How much does it cost to transport a container from China to Poland? The pce may vary depending on the season, the size of the container and current freight rates. Our sea freight forwarders will help you calculate the current sea freight costs, tailoring the offer to your needs and will help reduce the time of import clearance in Poland to the minimum necessary, and thanks to the simplified procedure we offer for selected groups of goods, we can speed up the sea transport from China to Poland even more.

2. Sea transport from China to Germany is slightly faster than to Poland. How long does a container ship from China to Germany take? Usually it is 30-35 days. ASL, thanks to its extensive cooperation with a network of partners, has been successfully organising sea transport from China to Germany for many years, with the goods being transshipped in German ports to the land route, which they then take to Poland. An additional advantage of this option for the sea transport of goods from China to Poland is the possibility of fiscal clearance in Hamburg, which allows VAT to be accounted for when the goods are sold by the importer.

3. Rail transport from China to Poland – an increasingly popular way to import goods from China. Rail connections, which run through Kazakhstan, Russia and Belarus, offer the possibility of making a faster delivery compared to sea transport. How long does it take to ship from China by train? A shipment by rail takes between 14 and 18 days, making it an excellent alternative between the long sea transport time and the more costly air transport. Our freight forwarders help companies organise rail transport, ensuring that goods are transported quickly and safely along the New Silk Road.

Sea, land or rail freight from China to Poland

All of the above solutions are also offered for cargo that does not fill the entire container – this is known as containerised cargo (LCL – Less Container Load), where the importer pays for the space actually used by his goods in the bulk container.

What is the fastest way to import goods from China?

For companies that care about fast delivery, air transport remains an unbeatable option. However, if you need to transport larger quantities of goods in a reasonable amount of time, it is worth considering rail transport, which offers a balance between transport time and cost. Sea freight, on the other hand, is the cheapest option but requires the most time.

Impact of customs formalities on the transportation time of goods from China

In addition to the transport time itself, customs formalities are an important factor affecting the speed of delivery. Every shipment imported from China has to go through customs clearance in both China and Poland. How long does it take to clear a container from China through customs? It normally takes between 1 and 3 days, depending on the volume of traffic at the ports and the completeness of the documentation prepared by the company. Delays may result from missing documents, leading to a prolongation of the whole process. It is advisable to take advantage of ASL and our own Customs Agency, which offers full support in completing and submitting customs documents, which significantly speeds up the arrival of goods by sea from China.

Due to the dockers’ strike and an overlay of other problems, the Port of Hamburg halted the receipt of goods trains for 24 hours on Thursday. Delays at the Hamburg terminals now amount to more than 24 hours and negotiations between employers and trade unionists are still ongoing.

Will strikes become more frequent?

The carrier expects that customers will have to get used to such delays. Metrans points out that the main rail lines do not have sufficient capacity. These circumstances force the carriers to raise prices. Employees of the Port of Hamburg are also demanding social guarantees in the upcoming change of ownership of the port.

Who is organising the strikes?

The strikes in Hamburg are organised by the trade union Ver.di, which is trying to negotiate the best working conditions with the association of terminal operators ZDS. Parallel to the port strikes, there was a demonstration in the centre of Hamburg. The main reason for the strike is the planned sale of a 49% stake in HHLA, Hamburg’s largest terminal operator, to the MSC group. The union members want to conclude a collective agreement before the planned transaction in order to secure their jobs.

Disruption in logistics chains

Problems at the port and congestion on the railway infrastructure negatively affect hauliers causing a significant increase in transport costs. In recent weeks, protests by seaport workers have been a direct cause of disruption to freight transport in various parts of the world. Dockworkers have gone on strike in the USA, India and Australia, among others.

Dear customers, partners,

We are pleased to announce that we have decided to extend the working hours of our warehouse in Nadarzyn. This is a step aimed at adapting our services even better to your needs. This change will not only allow us to speed up the execution of unloading and loading, but also to provide greater flexibility, which is a particularly important element in a dynamic industry such as logistics.

As of 09.09.2024, the ASL warehouse in Nadarzyn will operate from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Longer working hours mean that we will be able to respond to your needs more quickly and handle more transports in a shorter period of time. You will benefit from shorter turnaround times and greater availability of our services. All of this translates into better fluidity for your business, especially when deadlines and urgent deliveries are crucial.

We believe that the changes we have made will allow us to serve you even better by providing the reassurance that you can count on us. Thank you for your trust so far and we look forward to continuing to work with you!

Have a great weekend,
The ASL Nadarzyn Team

The Central and Eastern European region is currently entering a key moment of transformation. It has the potential to make the region one of the most important logistics areas in the world.

Development of logistics in Poland

Poland has been consistently strengthening its position on the European logistics market for many years. This translates into clear growth, thanks to which we are constantly improving our position in the global TSL rankings. Our country is investing heavily in warehouse logistics, infrastructure and road transport, as well as developing seaports.

What influences growth?

The region’s growing importance is due to a number of strategic infrastructure investments, such as Rail Baltica and CPK. These projects aim to improve transport connections. Both within the region and with the rest of Europe, which is key to increasing the efficiency of supply chains. Although already, at least in road transport, Poland boasts some of the best results in Europe.

The aforementioned investments, combined with the growing importance of secure and disruption-proof supply chains, make the CEE region increasingly attractive to international investors. In an era of global challenges, such as geopolitical tensions or climate change, CEE is gaining importance as a stable and strategic location for logistics operations.

The Central Transport Port, which is to become an investment combining air, rail and road transport – is one of the key elements of this transformation. These investments will not only improve regional connections, but also strengthen the position of Poland and its neighbours on the global logistics map.

European opportunity

The transformation of the CEE region into a logistics hub of the future is not only an economic development opportunity, but also a response to the global difficulties the world is currently facing. Through strategic investment and cooperation, Central and Eastern Europe has the potential to become one of the key players in global supply chains.

The icon of Poznań, the famous ‘Okrąglak’, has been hosting a new branch of our company since the beginning of September. This is the 8th branch of ASL on the map of Poland.

Strategic location

This is what Mariusz Rogowski, board member and partner at ASL Group, says about the new investment: ‘Poznań is a strategic location for the logistics industry due to its central location in Europe and excellent transport infrastructure, including motorways, railways and proximity to the airport. The city also offers a developed network of logistics and warehousing centres, which attracts investors and facilitates the distribution of goods to national and international markets.’

A modernist gem

It is impossible not to add a few words about the unique location of our Poznań branch: ‘Okrąglak’ is a modernist building in the centre of Poznań, located at 14 Mielżyńskiego Street, on the corner of 27 Grudnia Street. It was designed by architect Marek Leykam and built between 1948 and 1954. For more than 50 years it served as a department store, and is now an office and service building. ‘Okrąglak’ is distinguished by its unique cylinder shape and glazed facade, which makes it one of the symbols of Poznań.

We invite you to visit our branch in Poznań.