Hurricane Commerce has sealed separate deals to help cross-border specialist Pro Carrier and Royal Mail subsidiary Intersoft improve international shipping for their customers.
Pro Carrier, the eCommerce logistics expert, said the unique strategic partnership with Hurricane Commerce and AEB SE is bolstering cross-border logistics and significantly reducing hold rates for online retailers with improved Customs processes.
According to the three companies, their collaboration combines the best in shipping and delivery, data and technology, and customs management processes and has been developed in response to the heightened restrictions and checks introduced at borders for UK distributors shipping into the EU and those sending products into the UK.
Far fewer customs hold-ups
The new partnership has already resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of parcels held at Customs for Pro Carrier’s eCommerce retail customers, from 30% of parcels held in peak 2021 to sub 1% in peak 2022.
This new partnership builds on Pro Carrier’s work with Hurricane over the past 18 months, providing accurate client data, cleansed utilising Hurricane technology, to enable Pro Carrier to meet delivery service level agreements without delays. The integrated system allows Pro Carrier to share the live progress of customs clearances in one system – central to the success of eCommerce businesses and further underpinning the success of its B2B and B2C offerings.
This is the first time that Pro Carrier has also partnered with AEB utilising its technology to drive efficiency in customs clearances, resulting in quick, easy custom engagement for retailers across Europe. This has enabled Pro Carrier to provide clients with an unmatched assurance of their product arriving on time and in full.
B2B and B2C solutions
Following a successful Peak in 2021, Pro Carrier incorporated a B2B clearance offering while streamlining and maintaining a B2C technical system in an easy-to-use platform developed with Hurricane’s technology. This helped overcome the issue of Customs blockages for high-volume customers – and ensure packages reached the final-mile delivery partners in line with delivery agreements.
Ahead of November’s Peak in 2022, Pro Carrier enhanced its carrier platform further so retailers could better manage and track its Customs processes across Europe by incorporating an additional offering using AEB’s customs management platform.
Looking ahead, Pro Carrier, Hurricane and AEB will be developing their unique partnership with future collaborative initiatives utilising the technology and data driven approach to Customs clearance, providing opportunities for retail customers to scale businesses and move into new countries and markets.
Guy Fischer, managing director, Pro Carrier, said: “Pro Carrier’s partnership with Hurricane and AEB is already creating huge advantages for clients sending products into the EU. Going from 30% of parcels held in Peak 2021 to sub 1% in Peak 2022 is a testament to the combination of clean, accurate data vetted by Hurricane and the streamlined technical management system from AEB. At Pro Carrier, we’re performing above the market standard for Customs clearances – something other providers struggle to offer.”
Meeting new regulations
Meanwhile, Intersoft, a leading global carrier management provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Mail, is partnering with Hurricane Commerce to provide UK retailers with access to the correct Harmonised System (HS) codes which are essential to ensure the smooth cross-border movement of parcels through customs.
The partnership, which follows the success of Intersoft’s solutions for customers using Royal Mail’s Pro Shipper platform, aims to support the international growth ambitions and compliance requirements of Intersoft’s clients, including some of the UK’s largest retailers and brands.
Hurricane said the announcement is particularly timely given the implementation of new import control regulations which came into effect on March 1, 2023. Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requires complete and accurate advance electronic data sets for all shipments coming to or via the European Union by air including a mandatory HS6 code.
Intersoft has integrated Hurricane Commerce’s software solution to cover the areas of data enhancement, duty and tax calculation, prohibited and restricted goods screening and denied parties screening. The Hurricane landed cost engine calculates the duty rate, tax rate, duty payable and tax payable in the currency of the sending or receiving country.
James Thomas, Managing Director of Intersoft, said: “Our carrier management platform constantly adapts to eCommerce challenges and this partnership is a vital addition to our offering. It will give Intersoft customers peace of mind when shipping internationally.
“The ability to use Hurricane’s generated HS codes within our label production means customers will have one less obstacle to overcome. The integrity of data matters, and with Hurricane’s intuitive AI constantly learning from its users, we can integrate that data in a seamless way.”
