The Challenge: Time-Critical Repairs and Complex Customs Flows
CTDI's Polish facility faced the challenge of meeting a critical 24-hour repair window for air-shipped devices, mostly from the UK. Delays in customs clearance arising after the introduction of UK customs borders and complex regulatory requirements posed risks to their fast-paced operations. CTDI needed a partner that could streamline their customs processes, reduce costs, and ensure compliance without sacrificing speed.
Customs Support Group’s Solution: End-to-End Trade and Customs Management for Return & Repair
Starting in 2020, Customs Support Group (CSG) provided a comprehensive suite of customs solutions tailored to CTDI’s unique needs, including:
Inward Processing Set-Up:
The implementation of the Inward Processing procedure, which allows for the utilization of non-EU goods within the EU customs territory during processing operations, enables the elimination of customs duties on devices that are repaired and subsequently re-exported. This strategic approach has allowed CTDI to maximize its cost efficiency.
- We manage the active processing procedure for the import of devices for repair and the subsequent export of repaired devices to end customers.
- We maintain a record of the procedure settlements—a processing book—and send the settlements to the RPS system.
CustomsTech Solutions:
End-to-end digitalized customs operations, automating high-volume import and export processes to enhance accuracy and speed.
- We provide complete solutions from start to finish, including tailored reports and automated notifications for both the UK and Polish sides, ensuring efficient and timely communication at every stage.
Customs Warehouse Management:
Streamlined inventory management while ensuring full compliance with customs regulations, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency
- This includes managing inventory for devices awaiting repair and ensuring that all customs regulations are met throughout the process.
Global Customs Clearance Handling:
Seamlessly managed customs export and import operations between Poland and key international trade routes.
- We notify the courier company about the completion of customs clearance, ensuring smooth logistics and timely delivery for CTDI’s clients.
Customs-as-a-Service:
Full range of outsourced customs and trade services with dedicated support.
- We provide comprehensive customs and trade solutions for CTDI remotely, backed by our on-site office and a dedicated team specifically assigned to the client. Our team is always available for consultations and support as needed, ensuring seamless service delivery.
Duty Management:
We effectively manage customs duties, ensuring compliance and cost-efficiency for our clients.
- For CTDI, this includes leveraging the active processing procedure to eliminate any import duties on non-EU goods utilized within the EU.
In addition, we process an average of 2,200 customs declarations per month, further enhancing efficiency in the Return & Repair supply chain.
The Results: Significant Cost Savings and Improved Efficiency
Cost Efficiency:
The Inward Processing procedure allowed CTDI to avoid additional duties on repaired and re-exported devices, resulting in significant cost savings and enhancing their competitive pricing without compromising service quality.
Full Digitalization:
The introduction of digital tracking and reporting tools has definitely supported CTDI's customs processes. This technology offers real-time visibility, enabling timely updates and accurate data management. By automating documentation and notifications, CTDI expedites clearance times, maintains compliance, and enhances communication with logistics partners, ensuring smooth operations and timely repairs.
Lead time stability:
Consistently maintaining the critical repair window.
Operational Excellence:
CTDI employees use CSG’s system to monitor real-time customs clearances, significantly improving operational accuracy and ensuring the 24-hour repair window is consistently met.
Seamless Integration:
CSG’s customs system is now a fully integrated tool in CTDI’s internal processes, streamlining supply chain performance.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction:
Through its partnership with CSG’s, CTDI enhances customer satisfaction by ensuring faster repair turnaround times and reliable service. The streamlined customs processes and efficient communication enable CTDI to meet critical timelines, providing clients with timely updates and confidence in their operations.
Key Outcomes: How CSG Solved Critical Problems 
Accelerating and Streamlining of Processes:
By automating and digitizing customs processes, CSG ensured faster clearance times, keeping repairs on schedule.
100% Compliance:
CSG’s consulting services took the complexity out of customs regulations, helping CTDI remain fully compliant while focusing on their core operations, resulting in zero non-compliance fines or penalties.
Cost Reduction:
Avoiding duties on re-exported repaired devices resulted in significant cost reductions, making their operations more profitable.
Flexible Staffing Costs:
Staffing costs shifted from fixed to variable, as CTDI in Poland does not employ its own customs agents, relying fully on CSG’s expertise.
Reduced Customs Handling Costs through Digitalization:
The digitalization of customs processes enabled significant cost savings and increased efficiency by automating part of the workload and utilizing innovative solutions for smoother operations, all while ensuring 0 non-compliance fines or penalties. 
Conclusion: A Partnership That Drives Performance
Through strategic collaboration with Customs Support Group, CTDI successfully enhanced their supply chain and repair operations, leading to significant cost savings and operational efficiencies. CSG’s tailored solutions empowered CTDI to strengthen their competitive edge in a fast-paced global market.
Get in touch with Customs Support Group today to discover how we can streamline your customs and logistics processes, saving you time and costs while ensuring full compliance.
