UPS is set to become the first package carrier to offer customers the option of a paperless commercial invoice for customs clearance.

In addition, it will soon offer a return service with the most global coverage in the industry expanding from 30 countries in Europe to 98 countries worldwide.

The new services - UPS Paperlesssm Invoice and international UPS Returns - will be introduced in January and will make it even easier for customers to expand their businesses to new markets around the globe, said an UPS official.

 'Businesses of all sizes count on UPS to simplify international shipping and optimise supply chains,' said UPS senior vice-president of worldwide sales and marketing Kurt Kuehn.

'These new services illustrate how the synergy of UPS technology and the company's credibility with customs officials around the world is dramatically changing the future of global shipping,' he added

UPS Paperless Invoice will enable customers shipping small packages internationally to 'go paperless'. It will fully utilise UPS technology innovation to help integrate order processing, shipment preparation and commercial invoice data and then transmit that data to customs offices across the globe, eliminating the need for paper commercial invoices.

Once launched, UPS will be the only carrier to offer customers a paperless commercial invoice process for international shipping.
'UPS Paperless saves time, money and trees,' said general manager UPS John Tansey.

'It saves our customers time and resources by reducing office supplies and staff time associated with customs paperwork. It also gives our customers an easy, painless way to make a positive environmental impact by eliminating paper,' he added.

UPS Paperless is provided to customers at no additional charge while rates for UPS Returns vary depending upon the shipment. Fees for international UPS Returns can include transportation, a shipping label and applicable duties and taxes.- TradeArabia News Service