SEEBURGER Provides Data Transit Services for Importer Security Filings Upgrade to SAP(R) BusinessObjects(TM) Global Trade Services

ATLANTA, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- SEEBURGER Inc. announced today that it is providing data transit services associated with the recent upgrade of the SAP® BusinessObjects™ Global Trade Services application that added support for the Importer Security Filings (ISFs) required for import cargo arriving in the U.S. by vessel. The upgrade allows U.S. importers to meet the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection's deadline for enforcing the ISF rule designed to combat overseas shipments of terrorist weapons.

SAP BusinessObjects Global Trade Services utilizes SEEBURGER technology under an OEM license to enable automatic electronic exchange of ISF documentation with customs authorities. The license is part of a 15-year partnership that has led more than 1,800 SAP customers to use SEEBURGER solutions – including EDI, VAN and AS2 adapters for use with the SAP NetWeaver® technology platform as well as native integration with the SAP Business One, SAP Business All-in-One and SAP ERP applications - to integrate EDI operations with SAP business processes.

With the ISF enhancement included in SAP BusinessObjects Global Trade Services, users can now:

• Pre-populate standalone ISFs or unified ISFs/customs declarations in the required CATAIR (Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements) data format. The 10 mandated data elements – including manufacturer, seller, buyer, consolidator, ship-to name and address, importer of record number, container stuffing location, consignee number, country of origin and Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number – can be automatically extracted from advance shipping notifications and other documents already in SAP or a third-party system.
• Perform data validation to ensure that all fields are completed and all HTS codes are accurate.
• Automatically transmit the documents to the U.S. customs agency via the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) using SEEBURGER technology supplied with the upgrade. SAP is currently the only major software provider with a certified interface to the ABI electronic data interchange system.

These capabilities eliminate the need for importers to purchase a separate solution to comply with U.S. customs regulations requiring ISF receipt at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded at a foreign port, expedite the process of generating ISFs, and help users avoid fines of up to $5,000 for each violation. In addition, SEEBURGER-based connectivity to ABI eliminates the need for importers to develop custom mappings for use with other B2B gateways.

"SAP BusinessObjects Global Trade Services enables enterprises to centralize all aspects of global trade management with a single solution across systems and geographic boundaries, including a central repository of global trade forms that can be used to file customs declarations electronically," said Kevin McCollom, vice president of GTS Solution Management, SAP Labs. "The addition of ISF support extends that benefit by helping U.S. importers meet the challenge of producing and sending Importer Security Filings quickly, efficiently and in a compliant fashion."  

SAP BusinessObjects Global Trade Services helps organizations reduce the cost and risk of international trade by ensuring compliance with global regulations, accelerating trade activity, and minimizing duties and landed cost. The application streamlines complex import and export processes and compliance checks, ensures expedited customs clearance, and uses automation and e-filing to optimize trade for lowest risk and minimal cost.

More information on the ISF upgrade to SAP BusinessObjects Global Trade Services is available at www.sap.com/grc.

About SEEBURGER

SEEBURGER is a leading provider of global business integration solutions designed to optimize transactions throughout the extended enterprise by automating trading relationships with all partners regardless of their size and technical resources.  Launched in 1986 to provide integration solutions to the automotive industry in Germany, the company today is ranked among the top business-to-business gateway providers by leading industry analysts, and serves more than 7,800 customers in more than 50 countries and more than 15 industries through its flagship Business Integration Server and related products and services. SEEBURGER has global offices in Europe, Asia Pacific and North America, including a U.S. office that opened in 1998.  For more information, visit www.SEEBURGER.com.

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SOURCE SEEBURGER Inc.