Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • AEB launches world’s first digital customs broker network

Aerospace Defence Security

AEB launches world’s first digital customs broker network

Global trade and logistics software provider, AEB, has launched Customs Heroes, a first-of-its-kind digital customs broker network.

Introduced at the international trade show 'Transport Logistic', which took place in Munich from 4th to 7th June 2019, this new network brings together the global services of prestigious brokers such as Channel Ports, Rusak, Perinter, Portmade and Nord Quest on a single platform.

Customs Heroes digitises the interactions between customs brokers and businesses in the manufacturing, commercial, and transport sectors. Until now, these specialised processes have been largely fragmented.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

“This new platform yields a range of benefits for shippers, freight forwarders and brokers alike. It accelerates customs clearance while eliminating the need for manual data entry. This in turn cuts costs and slashes the fees that customs brokers charge for their services by up to 50 percent below the usual rates,” says Mark Brannan, Director of International Business Development at AEB and the driving force behind Customs Heroes.

End-to-end digitisation of customs clearance
Until now, shippers or forwarders who work with customs brokers have had to perform many tasks manually. “A full 63% of companies surveyed in AEB’s Global Trade Management Study 2018 [1] reported still using email or phone to communicate with their customs brokers,” emphasises Steffen Frey, a member of the AEB Board of Directors. This means that the brokers must then manually input the data communicated to them into their own IT systems. This is expensive and prone to errors.

Customs Heroes replaces this with a process that is digital from start to finish. Users transmit the data needed for customs processing through a special interface to the Customs Heroes platform. The platform then automatically passes the data in the proper format to the system of the appropriate customs broker. After the customs declaration has been filed, the release documents and customs and tax assessments are sent back to the customer. Customers can also check the status of their declarations online at any time.

Network to expand to 30 countries by 2020

Another benefit: Businesses that use Customs Heroes contract with just one single partner to manage customs clearance in many countries through various brokers. “Until now, businesses had to look for the right customs service provider in each country and then negotiate, sign a contract, and work out a process with each one. Now, all they need is a single interface to the platform. We take care of the rest,” says Mark Brannan, summarising the advantage in a nutshell.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

Customs Heroes is already available in 18 countries: Belgium, Canada, China, Czechia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. And there are ambitious plans to roll out the platform to another 30 countries by the end of 2020.

Brannan and his team are vigilant about the brokers they select from around the world, applying strict quality standards covering everything from IT skills, financial stability, the ability to communicate in multiple languages – especially English – and a solid reputation on the market and among customs authorities. “We’re talking about trusted brokers,” Brannan adds.

Customs Heroes offers a special benefit to forwarders. They can offer customs services around the world without the expense or bother of establishing offices or building partner networks of customs specialists in the various countries.
 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
IATA sees rising passenger and cargo growth in May

Aerospace

IATA sees rising passenger and cargo growth in May

30 June 2025

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2025 that revealed global passenger demand was up by 5% and global air cargo demand grew by 2.2%.

ECT Aviation acquires its first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander

Aerospace

ECT Aviation acquires its first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander

30 June 2025

Republic of Ireland based ECT Aviation has acquired its first Britten-Norman BN2T-4S Islander aircraft, expanding its operations into dedicated cargo services between Europe and North Africa.

IBA predicts more large orders of aircraft in 2025

Aerospace

IBA predicts more large orders of aircraft in 2025

30 June 2025

Despite the Air India tragedy and a range of economic and political factors impacting the aviation industry, reflected by a subdued level of orders at this year's Paris Air Show, aviation intelligence and advisory company IBA predicts that a range of major airlines are set to place additional aircraft orders.

Qantas takes delivery of its first A321XLR

Aerospace

Qantas takes delivery of its first A321XLR

30 June 2025

Australia's Qantas Airways is set to become the Asia-Pacific launch operator of the latest generation single aisle A321XLR following the delivery of its first aircraft from the Airbus assembly line in Finkenwerder, Hamburg.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Syensqo and Terma strengthen partnership

Aerospace Defence Security

Syensqo and Terma strengthen partnership

30 June 2025

Advanced materials specialist Syensqo and Terma, provider of mission-critical solutions in aerospace, defence and security, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to develop joint initiatives in composites for next-generation aerospace and defence applications.

Windracers establishes operational hub in Malawi

Aerospace Security

Windracers establishes operational hub in Malawi

27 June 2025

Windracers, the UK-based designer, manufacturer and operator of Windracers ULTRA - an autonomous heavy-lift cargo aircraft - has begun establishing an operational base at Kasungu Airfield in Malawi.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT