WATERLOO, Ontario, Nov. 30, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced it is the first service provider to sign an agreement with Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System, Inc. (NACCS Center) to electronically file customs documents to Japan Customs in compliance with the newly enacted Advanced Filing Rules.
On March 30th, 2012, a bill to amend part of the Customs Tariff Law was passed through the Diet legislature in Japan. This amendment enacts the Advance Filing Rules, which require a vessel operator or non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) to electronically submit to Japan Customs the information on maritime container cargo intended for a port in Japan. In principle, this submission should happen no later than 24 hours before departure of the vessel from a port of loading. The electronic report from foreign filers will be made through service providers authorized by NACCS Center.
"We're pleased to announce that Descartes has agreed to be the first service provider in ensuring our customers' compliance with the new Advanced Filing Rules. This is the first time we've signed an agreement with an overseas service provider since NACCS Center was founded in 1977. We can call it a big step forward for global activity," said Mr. Takuo Yoshimoto, President & CEO, NACCS Center. "Descartes' experience in advance manifest filing services in Canada, the United States and other countries has been of great assistance to us as we prepare for the Advance Filing Rules."
Descartes' Customs & Regulatory Compliance solutions help to keep goods moving across borders, whether by air, land or sea. Descartes bridges the information gap between logistics organizations and regulatory authorities around the globe, such as Japan Customs, to enable efficient cargo security screening, customs declaration filings and compliance across a broad spectrum of regulatory initiatives. Descartes' Customs & Regulatory solutions are based on Descartes' 30+ years of domain expertise and technology innovation. They leverage Descartes' Global Logistics Network (GLN), the world's largest multi-modal logistics messaging network, to connect parties, such as carriers, ocean forwarders and government organizations.
"Helping countries keep their borders safe and secure is one of the most important services we perform. As a leading provider of global customs and regulatory filing solutions, we're pleased to work with NACCS Center as an authorized service provider for Japan's Advance Filing Rules," said Arthur Mesher, Chairman and CEO at Descartes.
For more information Japan Customs' Advance Filing Rules, please click here: http://www.naccs.jp/e/afr/index.html
About NACCS
NACCS was originally established under the name Nippon Automated Cargo Clearance System Operations Organization jointly by the public and private sectors in Japan as an authorized corporation in October 1977 before becoming an incorporated administrative agency in October 2003. In December 2007, the Cabinet adopted the "Reorganization and Rationalization Plan for Special Public Institutions", which included the plan to privatize NACCS as an incorporation based on a specific law. With the privatization, NACCS was expected to increase the efficiency of international logistics and to enhance the competitiveness of Japan's ports and airports by taking such measures as streamlining its operations through the improved corporate management and providing better services to users by enlarging its scope of business. Subsequently, Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System, Inc. (NACCS Center) set out anew under its current name on October 1, 2008 based on the "Act for partial Revision of the Act on Special Provisions for Customs Procedure by Means of Electronic Data Processing System" (Act No. 46 of 2008).
About Descartes
Descartes (TSX:DSG) (Nasdaq:DSGX) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Descartes' B2B network, the Global Logistics Network, integrates more than 35,000 trading partners to our cloud-based Logistics Technology Platform to unite their businesses in commerce. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multi-modal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com.
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This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relate to Descartes' solution offering and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.