DHL Express and Abu Dhabi Customs signed on Tuesday a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the first Electronic Data Interface (EDI) system for the logistics sector in Abu Dhabi that will ensure faster clearance of goods imported into the capital city. The signing ceremony was held at the Emirates Palace here. The new system called the “Gold Card” program, allows DHL customers to lodge and complete customs declaration processes prior to the arrival of their goods. Using DHL's EDI Solution, customers can now send their shipment information electronically and receive customs clearance confirmation within a few hours, with shipments cleared in the air before landing in Abu Dhabi. Janet Jweihan, DHL Express country manager, UAE said: “The partnership with Abu Dhabi Customs will drastically speed up processes and help businesses perform better. DHL EDI Solutions will give our customers more control and flexibility in the clearance process, and improve links between the marketplace, distribution networks, manufacturing processes and purchasing activities.” The new system improves the previous customs clearance process that took an average of 24 hours to complete following the arrival of the goods. “The new DHL EDI Solution will mean customers will exchange business information between computer systems using EDI messaging. This close integration will allow businesses to achieve greater speed, reliability, control, and cost savings," Jweihan said. "It also helps optimize and improve operational processing, enhance data quality, increase productivity, allow early data availability, secure information exchange, and audit trails. Ultimately it will improve transit time of shipments, avoid duplication with a paper-free clearance environment, and increase efficiency overall,” she added. Saeed Al-Muhairi, deputy director, Abu Dhabi Customs Administration, said: “This new facility will reward well-run businesses in Abu Dhabi with fast, effective, and efficient customs clearance. Providing an import or export business maintains the key principles of the Gold Card agreement, Customs will provide an automatic pre-clearance service in accordance with World Customs Organization standards to process customs transactions.” DHL has also taken many other measures to help improve business in Abu Dhabi, including the recently launched clearance office in Gwaifath, which borders Saudi Arabia. The strategically positioned office enables immediate clearance of trucks in and out of the UAE, and allows the company to dispatch bonded shipments directly from the Jebel Ali free zone hub reducing transit time. The new office at the border is also the first of its kind in Abu Dhabi to be operated by an express service provider, again demonstrating DHL's pioneering and market-leading position in the region. __
