Multimodal international forwarding and customs clearance
One might say that forwarding and customs clearance for the tobacco industry are intensive activities. Ahlers organizes 8,500 shipments each year. Sometimes even airfreight shipments need to be organized in case of urgent orders, including full plane chartering.
On a local level, every delivery of cigarettes is typically accompanied by armed guards who need to be changed at every border linked to local license legislation.
Storage and handling
Tobacco and its related products are stored and handled by Ahlers Logistics in multiple countries within the CIS. This includes all kinds of products: tobacco, cigarettes, ingredients for the production but also marketing material.
In 1997 our warehouse dedicated to the tobacco industry was only a few hundred square meters. Today the counter is at more than 70,000 sqm spread over 5 locations, including value-added logistics like pre-batching.
Tracking and Tracing – KPI’s
The exporter of excise cargo must stick excise stamps on each article, issued/registered by the country of the importer. Excise stamps are required by law on every package of cigarettes. This calls for a high level of control; hence tracking and tracing were installed. The system allows via the internet to follow every loading through key points (departure, border, transshipment, arrival). The tracking & tracing system facilitated the installment of operational KPI’s to measure volumes, quality, and processes, as well as the database where the background of every shipment is stored.
“We were involved in the project as from the start. Ahlers listened carefully to our needs and delivers an excellent qualitative service for an attractive price. It gives us peace of mind important for us to keep growing in an competitive environment”
Rafael Herrera, Supply Chain Director EMEA, Philip Morris International
Ahlers has built a truly dedicated tobacco team, specialized in the industry-specific requirements, anticipating the latest trends. Today we are proud to say that we provide supply chain solutions to the top 3 companies in the tobacco industry.
Do you want more information about our supply chain solutions or about how we can add value for you? Please contact our logistics professionals, we will tell you all about it.
