Globally, demand for trade is up significantly, affecting all industries including fresh produce. Since the onset of Covid, it has been difficult to get space with airlines, container carriers are focused on being productive and profitable, and trucking power is short. “With our experience and knowledge, we guide our customers in making decisions that result in produce arriving on time and being handled quickly,” says Pat Compres, co-owner of Advance Customs Brokers in Miami, Florida. The company supports customers and shippers with importing produce into the US from any country around the globe.
Informing the customer
One of the company’s key services is to take care of the clearing process for produce that enters the US. “From the moment the produce leaves the country of origin, we take over from our clients. We urge them to provide us with the necessary documentation, allowing us to take the clearing process out of their hands.” Advance Customs Brokers provides customers with shipping updates, informs them when a vessel or plane is scheduled to arrive, and takes care of the inspection. “Informing the customer is really important throughout the process as the customer has deadlines to meet,” Compres added.
CBP/AQI inspection process
It is a fast-paced environment as Compres and her team sometimes only have a few hours to file documentation and prepare the inspection process. The transit time for a plane coming in from Guatemala for instance is 2.5 hours while a plane from the Dominican Republic already touches down after 2 hours. A team member from Advance Customs Brokers is present at each inspection. “We wait for the CBP/AQI (formally known as USDA) inspector to arrive, open the boxes of produce when asked, and stay on site during the inspection process.”
Lime inspection.
Shipping suggestions
One of the company’s other strengths is to give customers advice on the best ports to arrive at as well as the most reliable carriers to work with. “We know which ports have delays and are able to advise our clients on alternatives.” During the peak of the backlog in Los Angeles, ships were sometimes sitting outside the port for two to three weeks waiting to dock. “We support our customers in trying to prevent these situations.” In addition to knowledge of the shortest waiting times, Advance Customs Brokers also focuses on making shipping as cost effective as possible. “Not only have shipping lines increased their prices per container, they have also reduced the number of free days customers receive upon arrival,” shared Compres. Often, the number of free days can vary by contract and if you have four days, the carriers may now only give you two. If produce cannot be cleared within these two days, the customer starts paying. Even when produce needs treatment, and it is not completed in time, shipping lines are still charging extra.
Fight for space expected to continue for another 6 months
How much longer is the shipping shortage expected to last? “I am hopeful things will go back to a more normal situation after Christmas,” said Compres. Total cargo is up across the board, including dry, frozen, and perishables. In general, Americans are buying more and when it comes to perishables, they are cooking more. In addition, foodservice is beginning to come back, and cruise ships will start up soon. “Given this, combined with retail starting to prepare for the holiday season, I believe the competition for space will last until the end of this year. Before all this, one vessel from Chile and one vessel from Peru used to arrive weekly in the Port of Philadelphia. Now, that number has increased weekly from these two origins.”
Ginger inspection
Citrus and ginger
In the past year, consumers have become much more health conscious. As a result, Compres has witnessed the imports of citrus and ginger going up dramatically. “The amount of fresh ginger that is coming into the country from Brazil and Peru is amazing,” she said. The healing aspects of ginger are likely to play a key role in its increased popularity. Apart from these seasonal items, imports of tropical products like plantains, chayote, avocados, and pumpkins have grown by leaps and bounds. On the whole, summer citrus seems to be the commodity standing out this time of year.
For more information:
Pat Compres
Advance Customs Brokers
Tel: 786-476-0700
pat@advancecustomsbrokers.com
www.advancecustomsbrokers.com