Port plans to pass savings from inspection centralization to shippers

    The Port of Antwerp said on Tuesday it will speed up imports of products made from animals by centralizing their inspection at one border point and pass the savings to importers through 25 percent lower inspection dues.

    As of Jan. 1, imports of animal products will be checked only at the border inspection post on the left bank of the Scheldt. The port authority plans to close down the inspection post on the right bank for goods on the same date and reduce inspections fees. The port said the General Administration of Customs & Excise and the Federal Agency for Safety of the Food Chain introduced an integrated procedure in the border inspection post on the left bank that will shorten the transit times of such goods.

    The centralization of inspection of animal products is the first step in a broader plan to speed inspection of all perishable goods handled at the port. The closure of the inspection post on the right bank will also reduce costs for the port authority, which will be passed onto customers.

    Until Jan. 1 the service in the customs zone on the right bank (in the Tijsmans tunnel area) will remain open.

(Source:joc)