Mr. Scott Sangster reports

AUTOMATED LOGISTICS SYSTEMS SIMPLIFIES CUSTOMS CLEARANCE WITH DESCARTES FOREIGN TRADE ZONE SOLUTION

Michigan-based Automated Logistics Systems is using The Descartes Systems Group Inc.'s foreign trade zone (FTZ) solution to help its customers accelerate customs clearance and lower costs for imports into the United States by deferring the payment of many duties.

"With our warehouse in Jackson, Mich., already established as an FTZ, we wanted to make customs compliance as easy and cost-effective as possible for our customers," said Paul McDonald, strategic adviser at Automated Logistics Systems. "The Descartes solution helps us maximize the operational and cost savings benefits of FTZs through automation while ensuring compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. By automating customs filing procedures, digitizing back-office operations and increasing shipment visibility, we've elevated FTZ services for our customers until their goods leave for the domestic market."

A foreign trade zone is a secure area authorized by the federal government in which commercial domestic and foreign merchandise receives the same treatment by CBP as if it were outside the commerce of the United States. The Descartes FTZ solution allows importers and logistics services providers (LSPs) to comply with CBP regulatory requirements for operating a foreign trade zone in the United States by automating detailed chain of custody, access, shipment release and record-keeping processes. The solution is also used to streamline shipment management, customs clearance, classification and warehousing. The Descartes FTZ solution can be operated as a stand-alone module or as part of a company's wider trade compliance platform.

"We're pleased to help Automated Logistics Systems improve FTZ operations at its Michigan warehouse," said Scott Sangster, general manager, logistics services providers, at Descartes. "Importers have different reasons and scenarios for using a FTZ to help defer, reduce or eliminate duty payments; however, many do not have expertise in FTZ compliance and are turning to LSPs to handle FTZ movements. Using our solution, LSPs can provide the FTZ services importers require, without adding labour costs, by automating many task-heavy, repetitive processes associated with goods control, chain-of-custody requirements and entry filing standards."

About The Descartes Systems Group Inc.

Descartes is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use Descartes's modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Descartes's headquarters are in Waterloo, Ont., Canada and the company has offices and partners around the world.

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