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Content archived on 2019-02-22

EDI in Import/Export

Objective



The pilot project TRADE of Price Waterhouse will introduce EDI at the pressure points in the export/import order cycle:
1. Transmission of purchase order data from the importer to the exporter. This will replace or run alongside the normal transmission of a purchase order form, telex or fax.
2. Transmission of invoice data from exporter to importer. This includes all the information found on an export invoice, and will be transmitted at the time of dispatch of the goods. It will usually still be necessary to produce a paper invoice in some form and at some place, for customs clearance, but the process is accelerated by transmitting the data direct in addition to producing the paper document.
3. Transmission of export shipping instructions from the exporter to his freight forwarder/transitaire. This would replace the normal paper, telephoned or faxed shipping instructions giving details to the freight forwarder/haulier as to the transport, customs clearance and delivery of the goods. Return confirmation of bookings is included in this application.
4. Transmission of invoice and customs data from the exporter to the importer's customs clearing agent/agent en douane. This is one of the most critical points and one where clearance of goods is often delayed because the right or full information is not where it should be at the right time - that is with the importer's agent who is attending to customs clearance of the goods. It will include the full invoice data, together with whatever data the exporter can or should provide, under the terms of trade, to expedite customs clearance.
Installing EDI facilities for the project usually means using a normal business PC. This PC will be loaded with the necessary software to take the data necessary for each of the above four applications and structure it into a form which is suitable for telecommunications networks. Software will also link participants into the networks (via an existing telephone socket) to transmit/receive the data. The networks use a "mailbox" facility. Participants "collect" incoming EDI messages by accessing the "mailbox" from the PC at regular intervals. Messages they send are transmitted through the network through the receiver's "mailbox". Networks use various security safeguards to protect the confidentiality of transmitted data.

Topic(s)

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

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Coordinator

Price Waterhouse
EU contribution
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Address
Boulevard de la Woluwe, 62
1200 BRUSSELS
Belgium

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Total cost
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