The Port of New Orleans, located in the southern United States, is a commercial port at the downstream of the Mississippi River. With deep-water terminals and an extensive network of shipping routes, it has become a significant export center for grains and various commodities, handling over 160 million tons of cargo annually and connecting to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.
Grande Port is located on São Vicente Island in Cape Verde, just 455 kilometers from the west coast of Africa, serving as a key maritime hub. The port features 11 cargo berths and 3 ferry berths, handling 2,280 vessels and 652,000 tons of cargo annually. It primarily imports fuel and exports local specialty products, highlighting its crucial role in international trade.
Port of Santo Tomás de Castilla is the busiest port in Guatemala, located in the east. As an important trade hub connected to a free trade zone, it employs 2,100 workers. The development of cruise tourism has accelerated the local economy, while nearby natural and cultural attractions also draw tourists, making it a model for dual economic and tourism development.
Banjul Port is the largest port in Gambia, equipped with modern facilities and deep-water docks, playing a crucial role in import and export activities as well as regional trade. Its advantageous geographical location offers fast and efficient services. Additionally, the city of Banjul is a region rich in culture and tourism appeal, making it a significant engine for Gambia's economy.
This article analyzes the importance of customs cutoff times in foreign trade logistics, detailing the requirements for cutoff times for goods inside and outside the zone at the outer port and Yangshan. It emphasizes the significance of customs declaration, port entry, and arrival reports, offering practical advice such as arranging for early customs declaration and delivery times to avoid delays or missed shipments.
International shipping costs mainly consist of three core components: ocean freight, origin port charges, and destination port charges. Additional surcharges may apply in specific circumstances. This article provides a detailed analysis of the composition, calculation methods, and influencing factors of each cost component. It aims to help businesses better control expenses and optimize their logistics solutions by understanding these costs and their drivers.
The surge in China-US ocean freight rates stems from pandemic-induced supply-demand imbalances, leading to reduced shipping capacity, port congestion, and surging demand. This intensifies cost pressures on exporters, drives up consumer prices, and disrupts supply chains. Mitigation strategies include increasing shipping capacity, optimizing port operations, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting digital transformation to stabilize the global trade chain.
Cross-border e-commerce in Africa is booming, but customs clearance efficiency and last-mile delivery costs constrain the development of small package line haul services. This paper analyzes the fragmented customs policies across African countries, as well as the address challenges and dispersed transportation capacity in last-mile delivery. By implementing localized strategies such as digital pre-clearance, hybrid transportation models, and self-pickup point deployment, businesses can potentially reduce costs, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainable development in the African market.
This paper analyzes a capacity-building program for Francophone African customs officials, a collaboration between the Belgian Customs Academy and the World Customs Organization. The program, employing methods like curriculum supplementation, field visits, and virtual reality training, aims to enhance the professional skills of African customs officials and their ability to navigate complex trade environments. The article highlights the importance of regional cooperation, localized application, technological innovation, and evaluation mechanisms in capacity building. It also provides relevant recommendations for improving future programs.
The EU-WCO Harmonized System (HS) Africa Programme aims to enhance customs management in Africa by standardizing commodity classification, facilitating regional trade, and supporting the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee marks the substantial advancement of the project. All parties will collaborate to build a new landscape for African trade. The program seeks to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade barriers, and promote economic growth across the continent through harmonized standards and improved efficiency.
