Staying ahead of regulatory changes and ensuring seamless operations is paramount in the logistics sector, especially when handling goods like e-commerce. Through its x7trade platform, Feeport is seeking to deliver this, addressing the unique challenges faced by e-commerce logistics and setting new standards in the industry.

“Our motivation stemmed from witnessing the significant challenges businesses encountered with EU import customs clearance, coupled with the absence of a truly neutral technology provider in the market,” Luís Pimentel, CEO of Feeport, stated.

“When the EU adopted a new VAT regulation for imported low-value e-commerce back in 2021, the founders decided it was a turning point for the supply chain, also presenting an opportunity to offer the market a neutral technology that helps with customs clearance of low-value e-commerce goods.

“We saw how companies were struggling to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, often facing delays and increased costs due to inefficient processes. This spurred us to create a solution that would not only simplify these procedures but also ensure full compliance with the latest regulations.”

“Feeport was created to bridge this gap, offering innovative solutions designed to simplify the intricate customs processes and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Our mission is to empower businesses with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of e-commerce customs clearance efficiently and transparently”.

Addressing challenges

The x7trade platform targets three key areas in e-commerce logistics: regulatory compliance, efficient customs processing, and supply chain interconnectivity and visibility.

 “In an industry where regulatory compliance and operational efficiency are paramount, Feeport developed the x7trade platform to tackle the most pressing challenges in e-commerce logistics,” Pimentel said. 

The platform automates the preparation and submission of parcel declarations for customs clearance, enhancing real-time communication across the supply chain and ensuring seamless logistics operations.

“By integrating real-time tracking and seamless data sharing, we provide our clients with unparalleled visibility into their operations, allowing them to make informed decisions quickly,” he explained.

Ensuring compliance with EU regulations

Compliance with new EU import e-commerce regulations is a cornerstone of x7trade’s functionality. The platform automates the entire customs clearance process, including Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) submissions, and ensures full compliance with both the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) and Non-IOSS systems, as well as the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requirements.

“x7trade is uniquely tailored for e-commerce operations, addressing the specific needs of low-value goods and parcel-level declarations,” Pimentel emphasised.

“With the increasing complexity of international trade regulations, it’s crucial for businesses to have a reliable system that ensures they remain compliant without compromising on efficiency. Our platform offers that reliability and more.”

While many platforms attempt to address various aspects of logistics, x7trade is specifically engineered to handle the unique demands of low-value e-commerce imported into the European Union. “

“Real-time tracking and seamless data sharing across the supply chain offer our clients unparalleled visibility into their operations,” Pimentel noted.

Additionally, the x7trade platform supports e-commerce logistics by automating customs clearance processes, including ENS submissions, at the parcel and item level. This significantly boosts efficiency through real-time tracking and transparency across the supply chain. 

“Our platform streamlines ENS submissions and supports both IOSS and non-IOSS systems, directly connecting with customs for H7 declarations of low-value goods,” Pimentel explained.

Support in a diverse sector

The x7trade platform serves a diverse group of business users, including customs brokers, logistics service providers, integrators, and postal companies. Customs brokers leverage x7trade to automate intricate customs clearance processes, ensuring compliance while significantly reducing manual workload.

Logistics providers and postal companies benefit from enhanced efficiency and transparency, particularly in handling increased shipment volumes with greater accuracy and speed.

“The platform’s ability to handle increased shipment volumes with greater accuracy and speed is invaluable,” Pimentel continued.

This level of transparency ensures that all parties have access to the most current information, improving customer satisfaction and streamlining logistics processes. 

“With x7trade, the seamless flow of information across the supply chain enhances collaboration and responsiveness,” Pimentel emphasised.

Nordic Parcel Express

One notable success story is Nordic Parcel Express, a Helsinki-based e-commerce logistics company that achieved remarkable results using x7trade.

“After only six months, Nordic Parcel Express achieved the remarkable result of processing customs clearance for over 500,000 parcels each month using the x7trade platform,” Pimentel shared.

Feeport’s market presence spans Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Greece, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Romania, with plans to expand into Slovakia and Poland.

“These strategic locations allow us to support a diverse range of e-commerce logistics operations, ensuring compliance and efficiency across various regulatory environments.

“We are focusing on supporting our clients’ growth, building new partnerships, and investing in advanced technologies to manage increased volumes,” Pimentel stated.

Market presence

Companies that previously focused on a fulfilment model are now considering shifting to importing directly from manufacturers to end customers. Feeport also observes a growing trend of global e-commerce shippers who are looking to directly inject e-commerce into local European markets instead of relying solely on major European air logistic hubs.

This presents capital and other major airports in every EU member state with an opportunity to attract airlines and cargo volumes in the form of e-commerce.

Local airports and their supply chains need the right and neutral technology to handle e-commerce shipments containing thousands of parcels.

“Our continued expansion will enable us to support even more businesses in navigating the complexities of e-commerce customs clearance, ensuring they can operate efficiently and compliantly in a rapidly evolving market,” Pimentel emphasised.