How to Get Request for Export Permit Approved Faster?

If you are an exporter dealing in goods that the Department of Agriculture controls, you need to obtain export permit as well as some necessary documents. Submitting a request for permits can be an important part of the entire documentation process. Unfortunately, most of the exporters experience slow processing and delays while doing so. As a result, they end up bearing penalties, losses, shipment cancellation and many such outcomes.

In general, there are some common and easy-to-avoid hindrances and causes behind such incidents. Learn from the below sections how to address them.

Get Rid of Manual Processes

Start by reviewing the process that you follow to submit a permit request and you may find that a lot of work is done manually. For instance, you may be manually:

• Filling the required fields
• Updating the data
• Referring to various sources and so on

Consequently, you may be facing errors and slowed-down processing. What you need to immediately do is buy an export documentation software which can perform these tasks and more automatically.

Check the List of Compatible Software Tools

In order to submit a permit request, you must have a software that is compatible with the Department’s EXDOC system. For this, you can easily find the list of approved software tools and vendors on the Department’s official website. Selecting one of the recommended tools from the list can indeed make permit issuing process mast and convenient.

Choose between Desktop and Cloud-based Solutions

A cloud-based software may bring in many advantages than you can think of. First, you can lodge a permit request anytime, even during the late night hours. Second, you don’t need to be present in front o f particular machine to access the software. Third, you may need to worry about software upgrades as well as technical glitches. Each of these benefits may appear as small, but can account significantly towards fast processing for export permit.

Know Your Goods

While filling the forms for export permit, you must know in which categories do the goods you intend to export fall. For example, there are certain plants products that are prescribed, while others are non-prescribed. Likewise, the rules may differ for products like organic products, bio-dynamic products, wood and timber, narcotic products and so on. Thus, knowing precisely about various laws and norms in advance can help you save a lot of precious time.

Be Precise about Importing Country Requirements

Along with the export permit, you may need to apply for the documents like health/phytosanitary certificates. Now, the need and format for these certificates depend on the importing country requirements. Needless to say, these requirements may differ from one country to another. Due to this, you must pay attention in understanding and fulfilling the exact needs as your importer prescribes. Also, you can refer to the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) to be accurate and also to save time.

Prepare Your Goods for Inspection

What happens when you submit a request for permit? The Department of Agriculture checks the details and if found correct, they assign an inspection officer to inspect the goods intended for export. For this, you need to have a registered establishment. If you don’t have one, you can get one on lease. In addition, you must refer to the Department’s instructions to treat and pack your goods. Also, make sure that you have all required documents ready so that no time is wasted in the process.

Apart from this, you can also save time by using a software which allows obtaining export permit and export declaration number (EDN) from the Customs simultaneously. Make sure you discuss your documentation requirements with the vendor for more such suggestions.

Which Export Documentation Software Is Right for Horticulture Exporters?

Exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to the international locations near and far can be a big task. Due to the perishable nature of these goods, it is necessary that their quality is maintained throughout the supply chain. In addition, the exporters must provide the necessary certificates to validate the goods’ quality. So, a lot may depend on how effectively you prepare various documents involved in international trade of horticulture consignments.

Undoubtedly, a software tool can pla
y a key role in this direction. However, choosing the right kind of software can be a challenge, especially when there are so many vendors claiming to offer the best ones. If you are about to invest in a software that addresses all your documentation needs, here are some tips to help you.

Australia-specific Internationally-compliant

While looking for a software online, you may commit the mistake of picking up one that caters to export businesses in general. Consequently, the software might fail to meet the specific Australian export documentation requirements. There are many important software that you must obtain from the authorized bodies in the country to export horticulture items. At the same time, you also need to adhere to the international standards while preparing various documents. Therefore, be careful in considering the tool which offers Australia-specific documentation formats that are accepted globally.

Meeting Importing Country Requirements

An important aspect of documentation for horticulture goods is that the exporter must precisely meet the requirements that the importing country prescribes. For example, an importer may demand that the exporter must provide a phytosanitary certificate which specifies that the export goods are free of infestations. For this, the exporter must apply with Australia’s Department of Agriculture.

So, the software you choose must be compliant with the EXDOC system of the Department. It would serve two purposes. First, it allows fast submission of request for permits. Second, it helps in obtaining the phytosanitary certificate in the accurate format.

Easy Shipping Booking

It may happen that you need to export an urgent consignment of horticulture goods. Unfortunately, you waste a lot of time filling in forms to request booking with various freight forwarders and shipping lines. As a result, your goods may suffer damage, leading to monetary losses as well as the loss of business reputation. By choosing the software which allows fast and easy booking, the situation is avoidable. It can help you compare rates from various providers, send quick booking requests and obtain confirmations online, leaving no scope for delays.

Obtaining Quick Cargo Clearance

Likewise, the software must shorten the time required to communicate with the stevedores over pre-receival advice. Once you obtain cargo acceptance from the terminal operator timely, you can dispatch the containers for the final loading. Additionally, there is an important point here that you can’t afford to miss.

For the personable items like fruits and vegetables, you must accurately specify in your documents the temperature they must be stored at in the vessel. Failing to do so may lead to damaged items which may cause rejection or penalties and severe business losses. The right kind of software would leave no room for mistakes in this regard.

Besides, the international trade software you choose should take care of other documents like sales/purchase orders, certificates of origin, packing lists, invoices etc. Also, it should fit your existing IT infrastructure, creating sync with the accounting, ERP and other systems. Reporting, shipping tracking and security are other important considerations.

Finally, you can count on a cloud solution for flexible documentation that can add a lot of advantages to your export processes. It can also save costs dramatically and add to the overall profits. 

Improving Agility and Export Execution Efficiency in the Uncertain Global Trade Environment by Using an Export Management Software