Express carriers unite for common good

18 August, 2006

Express carriers unite for common good

Four leading global express courier companies have launched a new industry group in New Zealand to work with regulatory bodies on issues and challenges facing the industry.

TNT, DHL, FedEx, and UPS have established CAPEC, the Conference of Asia Pacific Express Carriers. CAPEC New Zealand is affiliated with CAPEC Asia based in Singapore, CAPEC Australia and the express associations of other Asian and Pacific countries who are members of the APEC forum.

“Here in New Zealand, CAPEC will be working with regulatory bodies on best practice solutions to trade-related issues,” said CAPEC NZ chairperson Ruud Smeets.

“International trade is one of the pillars of New Zealand’s economy and our key objectives encompass solutions that facilitate an optimum trading environment. We believe this is best achieved through regular dialogue with key industry stakeholders via open forum debate and joint decision making.”

Mr Smeets, who is also Managing Director of TNT, said CAPEC members in New Zealand had already successfully collaborated with regulatory bodies on a number of issues, including the successful implementation of mandatory export clearances, NZ Customs Goods Clearance Fee structures, and on-site MAF screening.

Members had also actively promoted the Frontline programme with NZ Customs resulting in substantial interceptions of prohibited items.

“Now with the formal launch of CAPEC here in New Zealand we’ll be working even more closely with government stakeholders to ensure win-win solutions,” Mr Smeets said.

He said CAPEC was focussed on achieving a number of short-term objectives, including working with NZ Customs on integrated data systems with built-in contingencies to ensure express deliveries are not delayed by system outages. Another key focus would be in co-operating with Customs on initiatives aimed at reducing drug shipments through the express distribution networks.

Key Facts

Globally, the Express Industry:

- Operates in more than 220 countries worldwide (more countries than belong to the UN)
- Moves more than 30 million packages daily
- Employs 1.25m people worldwide
- Operates and owns more than 1,800 aircraft as well as utilising more than 2,000 commercial flights daily
- Operates and owns more than 220,000 trucks and delivery vehicles
- Operates global, electronic track and trace networks, which monitor the movement of each individual consignment during transportation

- Has established EDI links with all customs authorities in all major markets;
- Has combined revenues of more than NZ$200 billion a year (TNT, FedEx, UPS and DHL)
- Grows 8% world-wide each year
- Is utilised by virtually 100% of all multinational companies

ENDS

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