Allivate, a 50/50 joint venture between airport operator, Fraport, and IT provider, Dakosy, is running a trial aimed at digitalizing the import processes at Rhine-Main Airport. If tests are successful, it will be a further leap forward from the analog to the digital world. The trials will run over a period of two months, followed by an evaluation before the platform becomes standard.
The days will soon be over when freight forwarders could only start their pick-up tours once the shipment status appeared in black and white on their printer. In the trials that have been running since 01MAY25, the former analog collection orders have been replaced by a ‘digital pick-up authorization’. In addition to Frankfurt Airport-based customs authorities, the players involved are Kuehne+Nagel, together with their service provider CHI, DB Schenker and the ground handling agent LUG.
Wide range of applications
The smart platform was developed by IT provider, allivate. The ‘Digital authorization for Pick-up’ known as ‘Smart Pick-up’, is distributed through the Cargo Community System, FAIR@link, that has long been in use at Frankfurt Airport, which enables slot booking by truckers, among other electronic services. Thanks to the platform, users can spot immediately “when cargo is authorized for pick-up, what the customs status is and, if applicable, the dangerous goods status. Truck slot booking is also integrated. This enables the earliest possible scheduling and avoids wasted trips,” reports allivate Managing Director, Martina Schikorr.
Since trials began at the beginning of May, the transparency of the supply chain has increased considerably, and the import processes have accelerated significantly. For example, collectors receive the information about their shipments as early as two hours before on-block.
Faster and safer
Since shipment data is available at a very early stage, it is clear whether customs release a consignment right after arrival or if it’s being held back for closer inspection to make sure that the entries on the accompanying documents match the contents of the packages.
There are also other positive aspects of the new import procedure, says allivate’s executive, Schikorr. Once given the digital greenlight in the system, the pick-up can start. Drivers no longer need to go to a warehouse desk to prove their identity by showing their ID. All they have to do is scan two QR codes and the truck driver’s ID is automatically matched with stored profiles. Herefore the driver needs to validate their ID in an app that functions as digital ID (trucker card).
Martina Schikorr also points out another advantage of the new procedure: it makes air freight more secure by providing information about the authorized collector for all involved parties, particularly when it comes to handing out sensitive items or valuable goods.
