The customs brokerage service now is available at each of Mainfreight's 38 facilities in the United States. It operates as Mainfreight International, Inc.
In announcing the new operation, Mark P. Neumann, Director of Customs Brokerage, stated, "Mainfreight is keeping pace with customer demand for complete logistic services. We now are offering brokerage service to shippers who utilize every type of transportation; ocean, air, truck or rail."
Neumann noted that Mainfreight's 38 full service facilities are located strategically in every section of the US. "Many locations not ordinarily considered 'gateway' cities for foreign trade like Los Angeles or New York, actually handle significant amounts of imports," said Neumann. "Utilizing Mainfreight, importers can derive substantial benefits by utilizing a single controlling source for both their transportation and brokerage needs wherever they are located."
The Director emphasized the customs brokerage service "provides door to door web tracking service through Mainfreight's international tracking and tracing system. We offer high visibility to customers at every stage of the transportation and brokerage process," Neumann said.
The new customs brokerage operation is fulfilling a promise made by Mainfreight to expand the range of services offered by Target Logistics when the New Zealand company acquired the freight forwarder almost a year ago. Neumann noted that it has taken almost one year to obtain a license from the US Customs & Border Patrol Agency, a normal waiting time for the traditionally slow moving US government.
Neumann has been a licensed customs broker for the past seventeen years, starting his career at the customs brokerage division of a large freight forwarder in Seattle, Washington.
The New Zealand company that acquired Target Logistics in November, 2007 and changed its name to Mainfreight in July of this year, is one of the largest transportation companies in that nation. The company has some 3,000 employees with revenues of (NZ) $1 billion. The purchase of Target, whose annual volume is about $200 million and with facilities in 38 cities, is expected to provide Mainfreight, Ltd. with a solid base in the US for future expansion in every type of logistics.
