Agency Sector Management’s software ready for SAD H

Agency Sector Management’s software ready for SAD H British not-for-profit software developer and freight forwarders representative Agency Sector Management (ASM) has released the latest version of its Global eCargo Management System (GeMS), which it said would give users full compliance with new European Union’s customs clearance rules.
   The much-delayed Single Administrative Document (SAD H) is set for implementation on Oct. 1 by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the United Kingdom and is part of the EU’s Multi Annual Strategic Plan (MASP) that aims to see declaration data passed between member states’ computer systems.
   HMRC is allowing dual running of both old and new type Customs declarations until midnight Jan. 20, after ASM lobbied for a phased transition.
   'After extensive, real time Beta trials involving many of our users, version 11.1 of GeMS is now moving to general release with all the SAD H Customs functionality in place,” said ASM Chairman Peter MacSwiney. “This staged release program gives our users the opportunity to confidently experience the new software and familiarize their staff with the new procedures as they are implemented.
   'We are obviously pleased that HMRC will maintain its decision to adopt a phased transition when implementation occurs. As we have continually represented to the authorities, it is only by allowing dual running of the old and new systems that communities will be able to efficiently migrate to the new procedures. This generates confidence, minimizes risk and avoids difficulties.'
   ASM is currently developing its Sequoia Project replacement for GeMS to provide a 'one-stop' suite of software solutions to cope with the raft of upcoming rule changes. ASM aims to have Sequoia generally available to all users at no additional cost to GeMS in time for the introduction of pre-arrival and pre-departure (PAPD) security declarations across the EU in 2009.
   'The European freight and logistics industry is on the brink of massive changes,' MacSwiney said. 'The move to SAD H and the changes being introduced as part of MASP, represent the start of a paradigm shift in compliance issues for any company involved in global trade and international supply chains.”