AMI – the global trade-only freight wholesaler - has started weekend working, and added an additional spot rate specialist to its team, as the latest measures to further strengthen its UK imports offering. AMI’s Imports Department now operates on Sundays, preparing import Customs entries for submission first thing on Mondays. This means inbound airfreight shipments are being cleared more quickly, so the freight can be released earlier to the importer’s agent at London Heathrow. Meanwhile, shipments bound for the north and Scotland are also leaving London earlier for AMI’s regional cargo centres, often trimming a day off transit times. A second spot rate executive has joined AMI’s imports team, to provide faster quotes for  the 80+ enquiries now being received daily from UK freight agents. The extra manpower is also enabling AMI to explore a wider number of service options for each enquiry, resulting in more competitive offerings. AMI is now connected to CNS (Southampton’s port community system) and Destin8 (its Felixstowe counterpart), and recently introduced import clearances for ocean FCL and LCL traffic entering the UK through the two ports. Says AMI Imports Manager Stuart Orkney: “We are attracting increasing numbers of airfreight agents with occasional ocean imports. At the same time, ocean freight agents are beginning to realise that they can use AMI for airfreight imports and exports.” AMI’s Import service is proving particularly popular with regional airfreight agents, as it removes the need for an office, warehouse, Customs clearance staff or transport facilities in London, Birmingham or Manchester. AMI is able to provide quotes on direct services into all three airports, clear imports and then truck to the agent, or to his nearest AMI Cargo Centre. AMI has also reviewed its agent network at origin points around the world, and new appointments have led to a steady improvement in rates and service levels in recent weeks. Concludes Orkney: “We have a new momentum in our imports business. AMI has assembled its most robust and comprehensive offering to date for import customers. At the same time, we remain a compact operation offering a highly personal service. People like that.”