IES Customer Hits the Ground Running in Anticipation of 2010 Regulations

In August of 2010, the TSA (Transportation Safety Administration) envisions 100% screening of all cargo transported on passenger aircraft. Likewise, for ocean shipments, in January of 2010 US Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) will require additional data about US-bound ocean shipments. It is easy to see the similarities between these two regulations for ocean and air cargo transport. In response, there have been an increasing number of concerned discussions about the growing number of regulations.

Still, the transportation and logistics industries are slow to act. For example, in regard to the TSA requirement for cargo flown on passenger aircraft, only a few freight forwarders in Houston have been recognized by TSA as Certified Cargo Screening Facilities. For comparison, it is interesting to note that there are an estimated 900 to 1000 such businesses in the area, making the approximately 20 providers in the area a clear minority and ahead of the crowd.

Mike Middleton is President of Atlas Freight Systems, one of the certified forwarders, gives advice to the industry, "This is a paradigm shift for our industry. Movement of freight now entails the creation of secure supply chains and management of more information than has ever been required in the past. Those who are late to the table stand to lose a lot."  

In regard to US-bound ocean shipments, Atlas also has a solution to comply with the ISF ‘10+2’ ruling for ocean shipments using software provider IES, Ltd.  Ray Baliatico, Sr. VP of Development at IES, Ltd. offers his insight, “Both history and industry dialogue have indicated that fighting the regulations will not be effective. It appears that the regulations will go into effect on schedule, and the general consensus points to the application of technology as the best way to comply with the regulations. We would advise that the industry should get on board with a technology provider now to ‘hit the ground running’ when the rulings go into effect.”

About Atlas Freight Systems

Atlas Freight Systems is a world-wide logistics provider specializing in air and ocean freight forwarding, project cargo, export packing, and U.S. Customs Brokerage. Atlas is proud of its designation as a service-disable, veteran-owned small business and of its leadership role in the freight-forwarding industry. Atlas is one of approximately 20 companies in the US selected for participation in an advanced technology cargo screening pilot. For more information about Atlas Freight Systems or its CCSF services, contact Brian Neuenfeldt at brian.neuenfeldt@atlasfreight.net or 832-487-1124.

About IES, Ltd.

With offices in the United States and in Hong Kong. IES is one of the largest software transportation companies in North America, Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the IES suite of import and export solutions serve freight forwarders, NVOCCs, Customs house brokers and other transportation intermediaries. The software company is well-known for the complete integration and automation of all aspects of managing an international shipment.

IES was the first software company out the door with an ISF 10+2 solution. In addition, the company was hand-picked by US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to take part in a pilot ISF program. The company offers a flexible range of modular solutions, allowing its customers to choose only the features they need and to add-on components as they grow. The niche software provider also specializes in AES (Automated Export Systems), ABI (Automated Broker Interface), Ocean and Air AMS (Automated Manifest Systems), Warehouse Management and more. For more information, contact IES at sales@iesltd.com or 201-636-5000.