UPS has expanded its customs brokerage portfolio in Asia with the addition of the so-called ‘Trade Management Services’ (TMS) focusing on consulting to simplify expansion opportunities for
customers in the region.The new TMS services comprise trade consulting, import/export technologies and managedservices.
With trade consulting, UPS aims to enhance customers’ competitive trade advantage and mitigatethe risk of international trade by providing companies with customised assessments of the complexcompliance, security and administrative issues impacting their business. “The ability to adapt tonew government requirements means less exposure to penalties, a reduction in cargo clearance delaysand the maximisation of duty/tax savings”, the company explained.
With technology becoming increasingly important, UPS wants to create added value for customershelping them link customs clearance processes to other parts of the supply chain through a highdegree of connectivity. It highlighted the importance of effectively using information managementtools which has enabled global companies to streamline their supply chains and become moreefficient.
As another addition, UPS managed services can help companies that want to outsource their importand export activities to focus on their core business competencies and reduce costs from integratedexecution and management.
“The launch of TMS is part of a long-term strategy to help our customers compete and docross-border business more effectively. Increasing supply chain and regulatory complexities arebarriers to trade, and are driving renewed focus on trade management and compliance,” NandoCesarone, President of UPS Asia Pacific Region, said. “As a value-creating partner, UPS’s extensiveportfolio of global compliance, customs brokerage, transportation and logistics services, unitesmany aspects of the supply chain process into an enhanced solution for our customers.”
UPS has set up a dedicated regional office for the Asian TMS team, headquartered in Singaporeand with operations across the region. “It is poised to provide advanced technological support andcustoms brokerage expertise, and is well-equipped with the means to support efficient intra-Asiaand global commerce,” Rob Houck, Vice President for Marketing, UPS Asia, said.
Lee Eng Keat, Director of Logistics, Singapore Economic Development Board, added that theregional office will further strengthen Singapore’s position as an ideal base for companies tomanage the increasingly complex supply chains in Asia. “The establishment of such functions willprovide good, skilled jobs for Singaporeans in the logistics industry, and enable them to gainregional exposure.”
UPS is among the largest customs brokers in the world, with more than 80 years of expertise incustoms brokerage and 40 years in trade management and consulting.
The Asia Pacific region continues to be a dynamic force in global trade with the fastest exportgrowth of any region in the first half of 2014, according to the Business Intelligence Command andControl Center for the Chief Supply Chain Officer.
“As Asian businesses look towards diversifying with domestic and intra-regional trade tomaintain sustainable growth in a challenging and uncertain global economic climate, supply chainmanagement resources and comprehensive expertise are increasingly important for advancement,” UPSconcluded.
