Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) have been long time advocates of reform to the Cargo Online Lodgment System specifically in reference to integration with the various logistics software packages used by members.
Through the ongoing engagement with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) FTA highlighted the inefficiency and frustration of the current process required by importers and customs brokers to submit documents to the department for assessment.
FTA are delighted to advise that the department has heard the views of FTA members and issued Industry Advice Notice 55-2023 advising of COLS Enhancements: Integration now available with your logistics software
What is the Enhancement?
The department has developed an IT solution that will allow all third-party cargo logistics software providers, or companies with in-house software development teams, an opportunity to integrate with COLS. Six Application Programming Interface (API) interfaces including submit new lodgement, lodgement status check, re-assessment request, payment status check, making a payment and making enquires, have been developed to enable direct integration with COLS.
What has changed?
From Thursday 16 March, the COLS System will allow all third-party cargo logistics software providers and in-house software development teams an opportunity to integrate with COLS.
COLS has also been enhanced to enable the lodgment and storage of documentation for import declarations processed through Automatic Entry Processing (AEP).
Clients with these arrangements are accredited to assess import documentation and receive automatic directions.
Visit the Automatic-Entry-Processing webpage for further information regarding AEP scheme.
Further information will be provided by the department on the adoption of this capability within the current AEP scheme.
Further information
Please refer to the department's website for further details on this.
A Software Developers Guide, providing the technical interface specifications for this system is also included on the website.
Sal Milici - General Manager - Trade Policy and Operations, FTA / APSA
Copyright © 2023 Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.