Leading Australian independent Customs clearance brokerage, Platinum® Freight Management has announced the launch of its first permanently staffed international office, extending its presence to nine locations in the ANZ region.
The company has plans to launch additional global offices in the coming year, in line with a growth strategy to enter regions where there is significant existing client activity and also a green field opportunity to reach new local clients.
Platinum® Freight Management CEO Peter McRae said:
“New Zealand is our sister country in processes and proximity. For clients trading from global ports as far as China and North America, having one representative across the Tasman Sea is increasingly critical to effective importing and exporting logistics.”
As a customs brokerage, Platinum® Freight is responsible for managing all export and import customs clearance processes for its clients – from independent operators to large national businesses, including logistics and transport, quarantine inspections, risk assessment, compliance and auditing to government regulators standards such as the New Zealand Customs Service and Ministry of Primary Industries.
Platinum® Freight Management sets itself apart through a unique company structure. Unlike larger competitors, Platinum® Freight offers each client one broker ‘touchpoint’ through all stages of the import/export process. This gives clients access to unrivalled expertise and personalisation, seamless job delivery with no double-handling of administration and therefore lower fees.
Platinum® Freight claims the most accurate advice and the fastest response time in market, operating unrivalled seven-day-a-week service with extended hours to meet the needs of a global marketplace. It also employs brokers fluent in Mandarin for best practice communication with Chinese manufacturers and logistics.
“We have designed our business to deliver a positive customer experience to all clients, commensurate with our motto: Simply no higher level of service,” said McRae.
Driven by high level academic qualifications, international accreditation and 16 years of industry expertise, the company holds complete accreditations to work with the New Zealand Customs Service. In addition it also holds accreditation for US and Canadian markets, offering critical global insight and expertise in the global marketplace.
Platinum® Freight Management has grown from an office of one in Sydney in 2000 to a leading independent operator with presence in nine major states and territories including Auckland.
“Our size is an advantage. While we are now an international agency, we have not outgrown our longstanding tradition of delivering personal face-to-face client service in their own region,” said McRae.
The business has developed a number of client programs including the Green Customs® and Green Cargo® initiative that provides discounts to importers of environmentally friendly goods such as water tanks, solar panels and bicycles. Also a Young Entrepreneurs Program to educate and offer discounts for young businesspeople entering the importing/exporting business.
In addition, through its own Social Responsibility Program Platinum® Freight donates five to 10 per cent of profits each month to a range of community-based organisations and other social initiatives. In New Zealand this kicks off in July with Peter McRae’s participation in the Lifewise Big Sleepout in Auckland in which he is already fundraising.
Peter McRae is committed to education about international trade and customs brokering. He lectures in Australian TAFE Colleges and offers education seminars to existing and potential clients about Customs laws and processes, a service that he will likely roll out in New Zealand in the coming year.
Further information about Platinum® Freight Management and the Customs process in New Zealand is available at http://platinumfreight.co.nz