Online quotes increase AMI’s express imports business

Airfreight and express wholesaler AMI UK has seen a 10% rise in traffic during the first three months of its trade-only online service, Click2ship Express Imports.
AMI said that the recently-launched service aims to make handling imports "less labour-intensive and more profitable for couriers and freight agents," by enabling customers to obtain an online quote for any express import shipment.
It added that the "easy-to-use all inclusive pricing tool" includes freight charges, collection at origin, delivery at destination and all Customs processing.
The new service takes the place of telephone enquiries. A click2ship Express Imports quote is converted to a booking; the system then generates all paperwork, which AMI’s agent customer can forward to his customer and their overseas supplier.
Regular updates, notifications and tracking information are all available online and, if the collection and delivery points are confirmed prior to booking, an accurate transit time can also be confirmed.
While intended to provide an all-inclusive service, agents can still opt to perform some functions (such as Customs clearance) themselves.
AMI’s vice president Europe, Sharon Wright, said: “I can only see click2ship Express Imports growing, as more and more customers become aware of its benefits to their businesses.
“In addition to getting fast quotes, they will now be able to improve collection and transit times, with goods often being picked up at origin on the same day the booking is made; this was not possible with the previous manual system.”
Click2ship Express Imports is aimed primarily at smaller and lighter shipments, but can also be used for larger consignments.
The only commodities click2ship Express Imports cannot accept are Lithium Batteries and other Dangerous Goods. If an attempt is made to book such cargo, the enquiry is automatically forwarded to AMI’s Cargo Import desk for alternative carriage options.
AMI’s new imports service is global, and means that the company now transacts over 40% of its global business through its web portals.
Concluded Wright: “A lot of couriers and freight agents have previously shied away from express imports, thinking they were complex, fraught with restrictions, and suffered lack of visibility and control.
"We believe click2ship Express Imports fully addresses these problems, and will encourage these customers to take a fresh look at this potentially lucrative revenue stream.”
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