Air Menzies International has launched an all-inclusive online service for imports into South Africa.

According to AMI, the new service, called click2ship Express Imports, is the imports counterpart of click2ship Express Exports, which was launched in South Africa in 2014. It aims to simplify and speed up the importing process for freight agents by providing online quotes and bookings for imports from any location worldwide. Prices include collection at origin, customs export entries, freight, customs clearance on arrival and local delivery from airport to agent or consignee.

“Imports currently accounts for some 20% of AMI’s turnover in South Africa, so the potential to grow imports business is considerable,” said Milton French, vice president of Africa at AMI. “click2ship Express Imports is simple to use, provides attractive rates based on quality operators, and saves agents having to conduct time-consuming research into multiple suppliers in order to construct a quote. We believe this represents an appealing package.”

The appearance and functionality of click2ship Express Imports mirrors that of click2ship Express Exports, which now handles approximately 10% of AMI’s exports business.

“click2ship Express Exports was a revolutionary concept for South Africa, and the market took a while to understand and accept it,” said French. “But, now that agents recognize the savings in time and cost which it provides, the take-up is improving all the time. We expect a similar experience with the new imports version, and have great optimism for its longer-term prospects.”

click2ship Express Imports is already available in AMI’s UK and US operations.