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When we think of the transportation and logistics industry, forwarding agents and the different types of transport and cargo first spring to mind, with customs agencies coming much later. Customs agencies nevertheless play an important but undervalued role in the international supply chain. They provide comprehensive services related to security, which is at the foundation of the international supply chain and global trade in merchandise.
International transport and logistics services provider AsstrA-Associated Traffic AG offers customs clearance in Germany, Lithuania, Belarus, Russia, and Poland. The AsstrA customs agencies in Poland are located in Białystok, at the Koroszczyn car terminal, and at the Kuźnica border crossing. The branches in Koroszczyn and Kuźnica are open 24 hours a day, every day including Sundays and holidays. Customs agents in Białystok are available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays on rotating shifts.
Supply chain security with AsstrA
The AsstrA Group provides a comprehensive range of customs services. The Head of the AsstrA customs agency in Koroszczyn, Małgorzata Matwiejuk, emphasizes, "Due to the location of our customs agencies at the Koroszczyn and in Kuźnica, most of our work is related to Swiss-guaranteed T1 transit checks. The T1 transit procedure supports the free movement of goods in Europe between European Union members and non-members, with coordinated postponement of customs and tax duties until final clearance in the country of destination.”
In the case of transit checks, AsstrA also provides electronic preliminary information (EPI) services for interacting with the customs authorities in Belarus. Customs agents from AsstrA deal support the issuing of TIR carnets and CMR consignment notes as well as import and export clearance.
“Undoubtedly, our biggest advantage is offering 24/7 import customs clearance services on site at the border,” highlights Małgorzata Matwiejuk. “The entire import clearance process is very efficient. All the goods are at the customer’s disposal and can be delivered to any place." The Head of the AsstrA customs agency in Koroszczyn also notes that import border clearance significantly reduces delivery times and costs. "We can deal with only one customs authority instead of two. We handle the transit check to the destination and import clearance, which allows the proper disposition of the goods. If Clients require services at both border crossings, they need only submit one authorization in any AsstrA office," explains Małgorzata Matwiejuk.
The "Procedure 42" customs clearance option is also very popular with AsstrA Clients. It allows the import of goods from outside European Union to the territory of Poland and their subsequent delivery to another member state. The whole process takes place within the EU and enables VAT payment exemption at the time of customs clearance.
The AsstrA customs agency in Białystok specializes in export checks, which are necessary for the export of goods from European Union countries to those outside the community. They support the preparation of export declarations both for exporters from Poland and other EU countries.
Our advice
It is worth noting that a customs agency is usually the first point of contact for entrepreneurs intending to import or export goods. The agency informs the customer about the necessary documents, requirements, and applicable customs regulations. Consultations on customs clearance are an integral part of the customs services from AsstrA.
“It is widely understood that consultations are an indispensable part of our work. The AsstrA team consists of experienced customs agents ready to help with customs-related issues. The expert knowledge of our specialists allows us to solve many challenges arising during customs clearance. We make every effort to minimize the times involved and constantly expand the range of our services to adapt to the needs of Clients,” says Małgorzata Matwiejuk.
Striving to meet all customers' expectations, AsstrA customs agencies also support duty deposits for transport companies providing goods delivery services.
Confirmed quality
AsstrA Polska holds an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Cerificate confirming its status as a reliable international trade Partner.
Merchandise trade security is a priority for the AsstrA Group. Close cooperation with customs authorities is particularly important, as certified entrepreneurs may receive prioritization by streamlining certain customs operation processes. The AEO certificate provides AsstrA customers with peace of mind regarding trade safety by enabling this priority handling of customs declarations and applications and also by minimizing the data required for the purposes of entry / exit summary declaration and, as a consequence, the frequency of document verifications and personal inspections.
The AsstrA Group is as a forward-thinking transport and logistics services provider who is constantly developing new industry solutions. "In order to meet the expectations of our Clients, we have recently expanded our customs clearance offerings to cover containers from China at the Małaszewicze Reloading Port. The city of Małaszewicze plays a strategic role in the New Silk Road project. It is a kind of Chinese "gate to Europe" and a further step in AsstrA’s ongoing development,” points out the Head of the AsstrA customs agency in Koroszczyn.