The Challenges
Importing dual-use technology
Risks of importing with your own local entity
Challenging import destinations
Missing documentation
Stuck shipment
Our Solution
Ensuring first-time customs clearance of data center gear into tricky locations like India meant we needed to not only act as their Importer of Record for end-to-end shipment management, but also:
- Run a full compliance sweep to establish what documentation was required for the data center gear,
- Structure the imports for optimized transaction flows,
- Enhance logistics for timely shipments, and
- Set up a dedicated team for the client and facilitate efficient API integration.
The Result
“Despite the challenges of moving high-value IT equipment across different borders, our team ensured the client’s deployments cleared customs smoothly and stayed fully compliant, keeping their global operations running without interruption.”
– Andrew van Vuren, Client Success Manager
Seamless Central Procurement for Global Data Centers and Offices
The client’s business utilizes a spoke-and-wheel structure, meaning that a small team in the USA alone needed to ensure that tech shipments would reach locations worldwide. The goods mainly included custom-made servers and standard networking equipment going to data centers and office sites.
Their biggest challenges arose when they looked to import dual-use tech into challenging countries like Indonesia, Brazil, India, and across Africa. Two frequent hurdles for shipping tech to a new region are:
- The business does not have a locally registered entity to import under, or
- They have a local entity, but don’t want to take on the risks or responsibilities of acting as the IOR.
Attempting to import from Mexico into India as their own IOR, with entities registered in both the USA and India, they encountered multiple unexpected challenges:
- Financial companies face heavy legislation and red tape,
- India has import restrictions around related parties if there is a local entity,
- Registered entities are not necessarily registered to import dual-use goods,
- Imports need to be structured correctly to help transaction flows.
They faced a worst-case scenario: their shipment got stuck. Not only was it revalued by customs, but the import was also missing vital documentation for customs clearance.
TecEx has vast experience importing to data centers and complying with India’s import requirements. After running a full compliance sweep for the client’s shipping ambitions, we could prepare all necessary import documentation, contact the client’s manufacturer to acquire necessary certificates like BIS, structure the import efficiently, plan optimal logistics, and ensure seamless customs clearance with an end-to-end solution.
Run a thorough compliance sweep for the import locations.
Collect certifications from the manufacturer and apply for other import licenses and permits.
Optimize the logistics from end to end for efficient shipments.
Seamlessly clear customs with all necessary documents and meticulous trade compliance.
Now working with the client for frequent global shipments, we’ve set up dedicated teams per region with shipping managers and tax specialists. This allows the client’s US-based team to always have a TecEx team ready for any shipment to any location. They also receive daily updates, weekly status reports, and tailored pricing from TecEx.
With their product catalog and address book, we’ve integrated their needs into our portal database. They can easily request accurate quotes as and when needed with just a few clicks.
With our DDP solution, TecEx will manage every step of the shipping process, from compliance to communicating with manufacturers to last-mile delivery.
Our tailored solutions allow financial institutions to:
- Keep their technology up-to-date across global locations,
- Navigate import regulations for new or challenging locations,
- Maintain visibility of shipments with status updates as often as required,
- Integrate their systems, products, and locations with the TecEx shipping portal for ease of use, and
- Request accurate quotes with just a few clicks.
Hedge Your Import Risks
Get in touch to unlock seamless tech shipments to your global data centers or offices.
