Hermes UK invests in Hurricane cross-border data solutions for international growth

Parcel delivery company Hermes UK has invested in new cross-border data APIs from Hurricane Commerce to better support its customers to ship cross border in a challenging and changing regulatory environment.

The move, which highlights Hermes’s commitment to growing its cross-border e-commerce business, follow its announcement earlier this month of an £11 million investment in its international business in the coming year. As part of this the company is creating a dedicated International Division, which will launch new integrated cross border end-to-end services and products.

Hermes has integrated Hurricane Commerce’s Zephyr and Aura API solutions, which have been designed to ensure shipments have complete, accurate and compliant cross-border shipment data for smooth and fast delivery.

Hurricane, which has won a number significant data partnership contracts in recent months including with One World Express, Yanwen Express and Emirates Post, has developed a range of AI-driven, real-time technology solutions to ensure smooth international deliveries.

Cross-border complexities

The data technology specialist aims to support customers with regulatory changes, which have recently led to a complicated cross border environment for retailers and logistics companies when it comes to customs and taxes.

Events such as Brexit, the US STOP Act and the EU’s abolition of the VAT exemption on low value goods and the corresponding launch of the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) have transformed the landscape of global e-commerce with complete and accurate shipment data now mandatory.

“The regulatory landscape for global e-commerce has changed dramatically during the past 12 months and the companies which harness best-in-class data solutions are the ones which will be best placed to succeed,” said Martyn Noble, CEO of Hurricane Commerce.

Strategic partner

Hurricane’s Zephyr solution ensures that shipments have the right data, including HS6 codes, product descriptions and 8- and 10- digit import and export codes, to pass smoothly through customs and on to the end consumer. Meanwhile, Hurricane’s Aura product covers duty and tax calculation, prohibited, and restricted goods screening and denied parties screening.

Ed Ayyad, Director of International at Hermes, said: “Hermes is committed to providing our customers with the best possible experience and a key part of this mission is ensuring parcels are able to move seamlessly on to their destination. Achieving this requires the adoption of best-in-class technology and we are therefore delighted to announce that we have chosen Hurricane to be our global strategic partner for the provision of cross-border data solutions.”

Noble added: “We are delighted that Hermes has chosen Hurricane as its global data partner, and we look forward to working with their international team to enable them to provide their customers with the highest levels of customer service.”