The reason for this is a newly-introduced Customs software called ZODIAK, developed and operated by the Hamburg software specialist DAKOSY. The software, which is approved for all ATLAS Customs procedures, is now being used at Germany's second-largest air freight hub by ground handling service provider PortGround, primarily for its growing e-commerce business. Approximately 70 cargo aircraft land at Leipzig/Halle every day, most of them loaded with parcels ordered via the internet. The new software has an integrated interface with the airport's in-house IT systems and can thus process relevant Customs information to automatically trigger Customs processes.
“Especially in times of growing e-commerce business, a smooth supply chain is important to guarantee punctual delivery for customers and consumers. The digital handling of Customs processes is an essential part of this," explains Ulrich Wrage, CEO of DAKOSY Datenkommunikationssystem. He adds: “We are confident that with our support, Leipzig/Halle airport will become an air cargo hub that pioneers the digitalisation of e-commerce for the future.”
ZODIAK is used at the airport as a software as a service solution. The software now simplifies the workflows for Customs clearance of goods on site. In concrete terms, this means that PortGround uses an electronic interface to send the flight manifest data for all expected shipments to the DAKOSY Customs software. This automatically extracts the relevant Customs information from the manifests and triggers all pending Customs processes. For example, the first message triggered is the ICS declaration to the Import Control System IT platform, as required for all EU imports from third countries. For air cargo, this must take place at least four hours in advance of reaching the first airport within the EU. If the value of a shipment exceeds €22, then upon landing ZODIAK also triggers the summary declaration to Customs and automatically initiates Customs import duty processing.