CHELMSFORD, MA--(Marketwired - Jan 14, 2015) -  Kewill, a leading provider of innovative software for supply chain execution, is pleased to announce its continued efforts to prepare its customers in advance of the upcoming Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) deadlines. ACE is the mainstay of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) trade processing and risk management activities and will provide numerous benefits including a single window for processing importing and exporting cargo into and out of the U.S.; electronic import manifest capabilities; a simplified entry process; and export automation capabilities. Kewill has been proactively upgrading their customs software solutions to ensure their customers are able to file, monitor and report on all customs filings and communications with the use of this new single online ACE portal that will connect CBP, trade representatives and government agencies. Kewill customers are required to use ACE for all electronic import and export manifest filings for all modes by May 1, 2015 and use ACE for all electronic cargo release and related entry summary filings by Nov. 1, 2015.

Kewill has continued to be first to market with comprehensive ACE functionality as the first vendor to provide software for the successful filing of an ACE summary entry and an active participant in CBP ACE pilot initiatives. Kewill's software provides customers with the ability to capture and store this import/export data as well as send images of documents directly to Customs, allowing Customs Brokers to reduce costs and eliminate manual processes.

Kewill's solutions can help Customs Brokers become ACE compliant and at the same time realize major benefits by making the switch to electronic filing, including:

  • Faster compliance processing over the paper equivalent 
  • Improved productivity through the wholesale replacement of manual processes with electronic methods
  • Lower processing costs through the switch to an account-based model
  • Streamlined payment and collection of duties and fees with users making payments monthly rather than on an upfront basis

Preparing for ACE and moving to an online submission process also ensures that Customs Brokers avoid hefty fines as well as the residual effects of failure to comply, such as:

  • Goods being turned away or detained, with the associated additional costs, including labor, storage and fuel
  • The burden of resolving the situation and managing the scheduling impact on the customer
  • Avoiding subsequent shipments being delayed as a domino effect

"It is unlikely that CBP will show leniency towards those that do not comply, particularly not for large businesses that have no real excuse for being unprepared," said Celeste Catano, senior global strategist at Kewill. "It is absolutely crucial to start preparing for ACE today as the process requires time and an overhaul of how things have been done to date. Our customers who have gotten ahead of the deadline have begun to see the cost saving benefits associated with the new procedures and only incurred slight disruption. For organizations that wait, the time and money lost could have severe impact."

For more information Kewill's customs solutions, please contact a Kewill representative or visit http://www.kewill.com/Solutions/Customs_Compliance.aspx.

About Kewill
Kewill, a Francisco Partners portfolio company, is a global leader in multimodal transportation management software, providing organizations with a comprehensive end-to-end platform for managing the complexities of transportation, logistics and trade compliance. The Kewill MOVE ® platform helps companies reduce costs, manage volatility and gain greater visibility across the logistics value chain. Trade, transport, store, comply, manage and integrate -- the Kewill transportation management platform gives you the insight, agility and tools you need to deliver better customer service and streamline global supply chain execution for strategic advantage.

The Kewill platform supports supply chain execution activities for in excess of 7,500 companies in more than 100 countries. To learn more about the company, visit www.kewill.com, follow us on Twitter @Kewill_Ltd or check our LinkedIn page for company updates.

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