5 Conventional Export Documentation Flaws You Can Address with a Software

Export documentation involves generating important certificates, permits and other important documents that ensure smooth transition of any export consignment. The exporters have been doing it since decades, though not without facing some very common issues. Why? The fault mainly lies in the traditional method of doing it. Usually, the exporters fail to calculate how these flaws in preparing documents lead to serious losses in terms of money, time and reputation.

On the other hand, there are exporters who identify these flaws and invest in the right solutions to overcome them. Find out how you may also follow the suit.

Information Mismanagement

Needless to say, preparing documents of any type requires access to a great volume of information. As an exporter, you need to store, retrieve, update and secure this information in an efficient manner. Any kind of mismanagement in that may lead to unpleasant results. The earlier system of maintaining and managing paper files only led to chaos.

With an electronic document management system, information handling becomes a child’s play. It allows fast access, secure storage and easy data updating which significantly reduces the time and labour.

Read more: 5 Conventional Export Documentation Flaws You Can Address with a Software

One Step to Bring Efficiency in 6 Export Documentation Related Processes

 Export documentation continues to harass exporters across the globe. The exercise involves many important processes that unfortunately are prone to human errors, delays, non-compliance and subsequent losses. In the nutshell, exporters and their staffs fail to perform them efficiently and thus, face the unpleasant consequences. However, there is one step that can put an end to such situations and keep an export business on track.

So, what is that one-step solution? The answer is shifting the important processes to an electronic system. Find out how it helps.

Making Bookings

To begin with, exporters often report of struggling with booking vessels, freight forwarders and other service providers. Apart from a great deal of time spent in comparing rates from different companies, it also requires filling out multiple forms. Due to this, you may miss enjoying the best deals and rates available.

How about easy automated form filling, instant results and faster comparisons? It is achievable with a software designed to provide you with real-time details for better selection and cost saving.

Storing Data

Creating electronic databases may make your staff’s task much more convenient. You can use the documentation software to store data in an organized manner and update it as required. As a result, it may become easier to retrieve information required to prepare documents like purchase orders and price lists in no time.

Also, it would help in significantly reducing the burden of maintaining piles of paper files. The database creation and maintenance processes become even more efficient if you choose a cloud-based software.

Comprehensive Management

For every consignment, you may need to prepare a lot of documents. Undoubtedly, it requires managing many things from multiple currencies to container information and more. At the same time, you need to manage orders, take care of compliance needs and refer to document formats and standards. Doing it all manually has higher chances of leading to chaos.

By investing in a software, you can conduct each of these tasks from a single platform. In other words, the management of every important activity becomes smoother, thereby reducing the chances of errors and delays.

Multi-party Communication

Because of the extensive trade supply chain, you may have to be in constant touch with a number of parties. For example, you may need to submit requests to the permit-issuing authorities, chambers of commerce and the Customs for various documents. Besides, you have to communicate with freight forwarders and transporters as well as shipping lines and stevedores to ensure on-time shipment of every consignment.

A good documentation software may have built-in features to help you establish uninterrupted communication channels with these parties. You can use it to update your importers as well as buyers and suppliers and banks in real time.

Real-time Tracking

Waiting long to know the status of various documents can be frustrating. Also, it may become difficult to immediately respond to objections, queries and doubts that may arise. Consequently, you may have to bear delay in shipping and loss of business. However, it is a minor hiccup that you can easily deal with in this digital age.

Needless to say, cloud-based software tools promise real-time status tracking. Literally, you can keep an eye on how your request for different documents is getting processed.

Valuable Reporting

Finally, the preparation of reports during and after every successful is one important process. It can help you record every important detail and analyse it later to seek improvements. It should be noted that management reporting can drive fruitful business decisions.

If you rely on a software tool, reporting not just becomes convenient, but it can also be used in a productive manner for business extension.

As you can see, one simple step can reap major benefits. It is an important investment to maintain Australian export documentation for your business fully compliant with the global trade laws.