LSPE: efficient and safe management for the exportation of goods

Expediting the release of goods from the customs area can be an enormous competitive advantage for any Port Authority. For the past six years, PORTEL has been offering Levante Paperless Tool for Exportation (LSPE), a standardized, usable and accessible digital communications platform. LSPE offers management solutions for exports of general merchandise, containers, vehicles, grains and supplies. In addition, it can be used by all agents involved in the processing of exportations.

Castellón, Alicante, Tarragona, Almería and Vigo are Ports where LSPE has been successfully implemented. “It is a service that has been well received in Spanish ports, which we are very proud of” Sandra Mena, PORTEL Sales Representative, said. LSPE provides the Ports Community with an information exchange platform in which operations can be managed more efficiently and securely.

“The implementation process begins with a presentation of the mentioned port to the Ports Community, in which it explains the full functional scope and the plan to follow until production,” says Sandra. It should be remembered that PORTEL‘s main objective is to anticipate and offer services that digitalize all procedures carried out in this sector. “The meetings have been worthwhile since the whole community became involved from that very moment. It guarantees the best performance of the process.” mentioned by the Sales Representative.

LSPE Work Cycle

There are four profiles for users who actively work on LSPE: cargo consignees or freight forwarders, ship consignees, cargo terminal agents and tax agents (Customs).

Among these agents, important flow of information is generated. The cycle starts with different consignees sending cargo manifest to the platform. This information is uploaded on EDIFACT and XML Web form. The platform will respond according to the schedule of the merchandise to be loaded and the customs documents that correspond to it.  This can be done as many times as required until the list becomes closed.

Once this process is completed, the shipping consignee can consolidate the different lists to upload and generate the Loading Order for the terminal. From there on, the authorization can obtain from the service all customs information on the goods included in the loading Order so as to expedite the loading of shipment on board.

Finally, the terminal will confirm the actual cargo of the vessel. This information will be sent to the authorities  (showing any discrepancies) and the consignee. PORTEL customers can import IFCSUM (Forwarding and Consolidation Summary Message) in order to generate the manifest and thus close the exportation cycle.

In addition to the tool itself, one of the key factors for the success in migrating to LSPE is because of the support provided by the company to its customers upon its implementation and operation. Sandra concludes by saying that “every day, she tends to be happier for being part of the LSPE team that collaborates with Port Authorities and different agents in implementing the service successfully”.