Stable supply chains through on-site customs clearance: FACTUREE increases planning reliability in procurement
Brief portrait of FACTUREE
FACTUREE offers a future-oriented all-in-one solution for the fast, reliable and up-to-date procurement of all types of drawing parts from a single source. With a network of over 2,000 manufacturing partners and around 15,000 machines, the company covers all common processes such as CNC machining, sheet metal processing, 3D printing and casting. From prototypes to large-scale production, FACTUREE offers maximum delivery capability and resilience for industries such as mechanical engineering, automotive and aviation. Its customers include well-known companies such as Siemens as well as SMEs and research institutions.
Further information: www.facturee.de
The uncertainties in international supply processes are increasing. Geopolitical tensions, new regulatory requirements and growing data obligations are significantly increasing complexity. The digital procurement provider FACTUREE is countering this: customers benefit from a large international network of manufacturers, high availability of drawing parts and on-site customs clearance in Berlin. This reduces external dependencies and shortens delivery times.
Priorities are currently shifting in industrial procurement: Price is no longer the only deciding factor, but above all the question of whether components arrive reliably and can be planned.
„In the past, price was the most important criterion for many, but today, in view of increasing supply chain uncertainties, what counts is the ability to plan. If a production line comes to a standstill because a component is stuck in customs, the damage is huge. That's why we don't leave customs to third parties. Our in-house customs clearance directly in Berlin ensures that we maintain a high degree of control over on-time delivery,“ says Mario Sussmann, Head of Logistics at FACTUREE.
Procurement, availability and logistics in one process
FACTUREE handles the complete procurement of drawing parts for its customers - from the selection of suitable manufacturing partners to production, quality assurance and on-time delivery. The basis for this is a network of over 2,000 verified manufacturing partners worldwide. This means that alternative capacities can be developed quickly and delivery failures can be avoided, even if conditions change. Customers are not dependent on individual suppliers and receive their components from a controlled, stable supply chain.
In logistics, FACTUREE works with DHL Express, DACHSER and various air freight agencies, among others. Depending on the urgency, different transport options are available - from cost-optimized deliveries to time-critical shipments.
Customs is increasingly becoming a data topic
International procurement is no longer just about the physical transportation of goods. At the same time, the requirements for the underlying data are increasing. Requirements such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), additional verification obligations and more complex customs data are significantly increasing the workload. Companies have to keep information on origin, goods classification and, depending on the product group, emissions data.
„Today, parcels are transported faster and faster, while customs data is becoming increasingly complex. It's no longer enough just to know what's in the box. It is crucial that all relevant information is available early and in full,“ says Mario Sussmann.
FACTUREE takes on these operational tasks as part of its full-service procurement model. This means that purchasing teams do not have to set up their own processes for customs and data issues.
Onsite customs clearance begins before the goods arrive
A central component is on-site customs clearance. FACTUREE handles import and export processes directly in-house at the Berlin site. The basis for this is the status of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), which enables customs processes to be handled more efficiently.
For exports, the customs declaration is transmitted at the same time as the goods inspection. For imports, processing begins as soon as the shipment is picked up in the third country. While the goods are still in transit, the relevant data is already being processed.
If the shipment later arrives at Leipzig Airport, for example, import customs clearance can be completed without additional waiting times. The goods are then processed directly and dispatched to the customer.
As FACTUREE has precise technical knowledge of the components, tariff classification can be prepared early and accurately. This reduces queries from the authorities and the risk of incorrect declarations or subsequent customs clearance.
36 hours of time saved in the import process
A comparison with conventional processes shows the extent to which this approach has an impact in practice: In the standard process, goods are often first taken to a storage warehouse after arriving in the EU. They remain there until an external customs agent checks the documents, the declaration is created and the goods are released by the authorities. This typically results in delays of 24 to 48 hours before the components can be further processed or transported onwards.
With FACTUREE, these steps already take place during transportation. The customs declaration is prepared and transmitted while the goods are still on their way to Europe. In many cases, the relevant data is already complete on arrival, meaning that import customs clearance can be completed without additional waiting times.
As a result, the throughput time for imports - i.e. the time between the arrival of the goods and their further processing - is reduced by around 36 hours on average.
For industrial companies, this means that components reach quality inspection and the subsequent shipping process more quickly. Delays in customs are therefore much less likely to affect downstream production or assembly processes - especially in the case of time-critical requirements.
Customs as a lever for stable supply chains
With increasing complexity in international delivery processes, the management of customs clearance is becoming even more important. While transport times are increasingly being optimized, the quality and availability of data is increasingly determining the actual speed of a delivery.
FACTUREE deliberately shifts these processes to the front and integrates them into its own procurement solution. This creates an end-to-end process for customers that takes availability, speed and predictability into account.
