Product Information

Descartes Viatrade For Carriers

Enabling Cross-Border Trade with Descartes Viatrade for Carriers

American and Canadian carriers are constantly seeking ways to automate processes to reduce the cost of operations, streamline document management and, most importantly, keep cross-border freight moving. The need for improved speed and accuracy has become increasingly critical as the number of shipments continues to grow and reporting requirements increase in complexity. Descartes Viatrade streamlines business processes and interaction between carriers, customs brokers and government agencies. This collaborative solution automates customs security filings for CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) and CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency), and streamlines delivery management. It helps organizations make more effective use of internal resources, improves document accuracy for delivery to the appropriate authorities, and manages the final release of goods by customs.

Complete Lifecycle Management for Carriers

Descartes Viatrade offers an easy-to-access portal to connect customs brokers with carriers to enable complete lifecycle management for shipments on both sides of the border. As a Web-based, on-demand offering, Viatrade enables organizations to leverage advanced automation features without the need to invest in the capital costs associated with in-house systems, integration, licensing and upgrades. Potential benefits include: Real-time visibility – With a completely integrated solution, carriers and brokers can gain real-time visibility into shipment status and deliver/receive data electronically to reduce the need for manual entry. Users can opt for full or partial management, depending on their own infrastructure and needs. Collaboration – Carriers have access to a collaborative platform through which they can access and share information with appropriate partners, enhance visibility and speed filing and approval processes. Improved selection – Viatrade streamlines broker selection and delivery activities to successfully complete the lifecycle of shipments from customers. Viatrade offers a broker’s portal, as well as different subscription levels, so participants can view paperwork and check status electronically.

Descartes as a Partner of Choice

Since 1981 Descartes has been focused on addressing the needs of global transportation and logistics providers. It has built its reputation on delivering results for organizations around the world that operate logistics intensive businesses and require visibility and control over multichannel networks of trading partners and shipment management processes. Leveraging the Global Logistics Network (GLN), Descartes provides carriers with a range of solutions that enable real-time visibility, facilitate the lifecycle management of shipments and support collaboration between global trading partners.

Viatrade Carrier Benefits

• Security Manifest Filing (ACE, ACI Highway)

• Image and Document Management

• RNS Notification

• Automated Broker Selection (Northbound)

• Broker Delivery and Acceptance/Rejection

• Drivers Documentation

• In-bond Filings

With Viatrade, businesses can:

• Reduce/eliminate data-entry through carrier back office integration, which reduces costs, errors and lead times • Lower operational costs through enhanced tracking,

• Lower operational costs through enhanced tracking, improved visualization of workflow and real-time access to shipping information

• Reduce integration and upgrade costs for ACI Highway readiness • Improve system stability, robustness and reliability at less cost

Descartes provides a number of service level options to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes:

• Fax & Forget Service – turn-key service enables Descartes to receive information by fax to complete the shipment process.

• Connecting Carriers to U.S. CBP – provides increased visibility and control over secure e-manifest filings (including pre-arrival processing system, pre-filed in-bonds, low value shipments and more) via the Web interface or back-office electronic integration.

• Full Service – for operations with a fully integrated carrier, the Descartes processing center can provide full shipment management using electronic data and image feeds in real time.

• Basic Service – ideal for integrated carriers that continue to send manifest data and images, but manage other processes (broker selections, paperwork forwarding, etc.) in-house.

• Enhanced Track and Trace Capabilities – provides a detailed trace of shipments and trip history via the user portal, along with diverse search and sort options for shipment tracking and report generation. Driver notifications/e-mail alerts to individuals or multiple participants provide the most up-to-date information.

ACE for Southbound Shipments Entering the U.S.

Customs Documentation Management – facilitates the delivery and receipt of imaged documents, shipment reports, security filings, customs releases, bills of lading and invoices. It also enables the delivery of driver documentation for customs clearance, including ACE e-manifest cover pages, inward cargo manifests and CBP 7512 in-bond forms and facilitates the sharing of delivery status and broker acceptance information.

Simplified Messaging Format

Viatrade enables one single data set for all filings (ACE, CSA, ACI Highway) to facilitate multiple users and simplify integration for carriers. A unified XML schema supports requirements on both sides of the border and is forward compatible with new customs regulations, including the ACI Highway Program for entering Canada.

ACI for Northbound Shipments Entering Canada

Descartes also enables carriers to meet the requirements for inbound manifest and export cargo and conveyance information to the CBSA’s Advance Commercial Information (ACI) system for ocean, air and highway shipments. Features include:

Connecting Carriers to Canada’s CBSA – provides increased visibility and control over secure e-manifest filings either through the Web interface or via back-office electronic integration.

Enhanced Track and Trace – these capabilities include the above (ACE) features as well as release certification system (RNS) notifications. Automated processes include detailed trace of shipment and trip history, diverse search and sort options, RNS notifications, driver notifications and e-mail alerts.

Manage Customs Documentation

Uses knowledge-based engine technology to automate the broker selection process based on history, confidence levels and specified variables, as well as harmonizes parties when entered into the system from eManifest. Maintains imaged documents alongside associated shipment reports, while clearance is streamlined through the electronic routing of bills of lading and commercial invoices. Organizations can track document delivery status and broker acceptance/rejections; and generate, print and fax barcoded driver documentation for customs clearance.

Simplified Messaging Format

Enables one single data set for all filings (ACE, CSA, ACI Highway) to facilitate multiple users and simplify integration. Customs Broker Offerings – provides a single Web interface.