BDP International launches paperless, Web documentation tool

BDP International (BDP), a privately-held, U.S.-based global logistics and transportation firm, has established a web-enabled tool which will transact paperless documentation of overseas shipments.

Branded as BDPDox, the new customer service application is expected to improve internal productivity, reduce costs and expedite air and ocean export transactions for customers and consignee/receivers.

The BDPDox electronic documentation exchange will offer customers and consignees an electronic delivery option – initially for basic transactions, and extending to more-complex financial exchanges. All current paperwork conveyed through BDP systems will be available immediately for secure Internet delivery as original documents with embedded electronic signatures.

BDPDox will also have the functional capacity to electronically exchange supporting shipment and commercial data, leading to higher data accuracy, reduced wait-time and manual data input and accelerated receipt of payments.

Complementing the proprietary logistics information processes and capacity, which reside within BDP’s information system, BDPDox will be supported by the Internet-based technology of TRADEPAQ Corp., a leading provider of e-business infrastructure solutions for global trade.

TRADEPAQ technology will enable BDP to generate a set of documents that will track over the Internet (with a shipment) to destination by delivering paperless import/export, regulatory and transportation documents and the commercial data required for each transaction.

The conventional practice involves preparing hardcopy documentation packages, which contain the information that consummates an international shipping transaction and are sent via courier service. For example, documentation for an export shipment typically consists of a letter-of-transmittal, bill-of-lading, commercial invoice, product analysis certification and insurance certification, all of which are used to facilitate customs clearance and payment by the consignee/receiver.