From bottlenecks to breakthroughs: How integrating ocean and customs bookings helped three customers go all the way

1 七月 2025

Detainment at the border. Costly handover fees. Elongated lead times. These are just three common challenges associated with an inefficient customs process. But what if a simple process change could help you avoid these issues?

When you book ocean shipments with Maersk, you can add customs to your booking at the same time and help your supply chain be ready for anything. Below, we focus on three companies who did just that and explore the competitive advantages this brought them.

Rooting out the hidden costs associated with customs

To many businesses, customs is just a transaction. Based on the type of product you’re shipping and where you’re shipping to customs duties, VAT or other import taxes can impact the total cost of the shipment.

But in the context of a global supply chain, processing the goods through customs only make up a small part of the financial story. There are other costs that might be hiding within the process. For example, if you use one third-party provider for shipping and another for customs handling, handover fees might also be associated with the cargo’s journey from origin to end destination. The bigger your operations, the more these handover fees can escalate.

These costs can be found in what McKinsey & Company calls “blind handovers” in the supply chain. Analysis from the consulting firm finds that between 13-19% of logistics costs could stem from these interactions. In the UK alone, such supply chain inefficiencies cost the economy over £12 billion in lost revenue per year.

McKinsey analysis finds that between 13 and 19% of logistics costs could stem from inefficient supply chain interactions.

In relation to customs handling , the implications from blind handovers could include demurrage and detention fees or additional transport costs if original pick-up slots were missed, which could then result in missed sales opportunities. However, when you add customs to your ocean shipments with Maersk, you reduce the risk of delays and hidden costs considerably.

One company that benefits from this approach is world-leading automotive manufacturer, TATA Motors. With an integrated logistics solution that includes both ocean and customs, centred on “timely clearances and efficient coordination,” TATA can stick to the agreed timelines for deliveries to a range of overseas markets.

This partnership now forms the backbone of our seamless operations, enabling us to meet the demands in all markets within stipulated lead times, while simultaneously maintaining quality and optimising costs.

Jayant Shreedhar Athawade,

Head SCM, TATA Motors International Business.

Keeping your supply chain moving

In addition to the financial implications of blind handovers, the inefficiencies can also significantly impact the speed and flow of a supply chain.

The need to manage multiple third parties and oversee your cargo changing hands introduces the risk of delays into the process; whereas when you book ocean and customs together, you ensure smooth and efficient customs handling. In fact, Maersk's customs specialists can prepare your customs documents ahead of your cargo arriving at the border, to minimize the risk of hold ups to your supply chain.

Take frozen fruit snack disruptor Pukpip, for instance. The brand needs to transport frozen bananas from Ecuador to the UK in perfect condition so that they can turn them into their range of delicious frozen fruit snacks.

To make this possible, Pukpip books their Maersk Ocean shipments online, and because they can add customs to the service, Maersk is able to process the documentation at the right time and ensure the cargo is released quickly when it arrives in the UK.

Pukpip Founder, Zara Godfrey, had this to say on the business results: “It's easier, especially when you're a small brand, to have one partner do both ocean freight and customs. We trust Maersk to collect the goods, which will arrive on time in great condition, and clear customs. Plus if there are ever any short delays at customs, Maersk ensure the goods are never left to melt.”

Simplifying your supply chain responsibilities

Perhaps the most obvious advantage of this integrated approach is that you get one point of contact for your customs clearance needs.

With a one-stop shop for ocean and customs bookings, it becomes easier to manage your operations, increasing control by reducing your administrative workload and providing more time to focus on higher-value activities.

For Norwegian retailer Europris, this control was critical to consolidating supply chain operations. The discounter wanted a logistics partner that could handle both their ocean and customs requirements, and with Maersk’s digital solutions they enhanced control over cargo flows and allowed for timely compliance.

This integrated approach has helped us streamline our supply chain processes, stay on top of demand and reduce much of the hassle associated with having multiple logistics partners.

Marius Svendsen,

Import Manager, Europris AS.

Partner with Maersk for a seamless supply chain

Timely customs processes are vital for the flow of a supply chain, and essential for goods being able to pass efficiently through ports. Yet often, this activity is managed separately from ocean shipments, and this can introduce unnecessary risks to operations.

As the customer testimonials in this article have shown, adding customs to ocean bookings is a simple but effective way of minimising your administrative burden and the risk of additional costs and delays.

By partnering with Maersk for both your customs and ocean transport needs, you can benefit from our deep multidisciplinary expertise, global reach and network of owned assets, enabling you to streamline your supply chain and increase speed over the border with total confidence.

To find out how our experts can support you with your customs challenges, touch base with us.