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U.S. Customs Certifies Vastera as an ABI Software Provider

4 October 1999

U.S. Customs Certifies Vastera as an ABI Software Provider; Certification Validates Import Functionality within Global Passport Solution

    DULLES, Va.--Oct. 4, 1999--Vastera, the leading provider of international trade logistics solutions, today announced that the U.S. Customs Service has certified the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) within its software solution, Global Passport(tm).
    The ABI is a component of the U.S. Customs Service's Automated Commercial System that permits qualified participants to electronically file required import data with Customs. While ABI is a voluntary program available to brokers, importers, carriers, port authorities, and independent service centers, over 96% of all entries filed with Customs are filed through ABI.
    "The certification validates our system's interface with U.S. Customs and is the regulatory compliance function for inbound logistics," said Arjun Rishi, President and CEO of Vastera. "The benefits to our clients are enhanced automation of the import function, resulting in processing efficiencies, lower error rates, greater compliance, and lower audit exposure which supports global supply chain management."
    Since its inception in 1984, ABI has seen remarkable growth. As of January 1996 there were 1800 participants. Of these, 1650 were operational and 150 were in the test or development phase. The 1650 operational clients accounted for 97% of all formal Entry Summaries processed by Customs. During fiscal year 1995, Customs processed 14.4 million ABI entries.
    Benefits for the trade industry include: expedited cargo release, electronic transmission, validation, confirmation, and correction for Entry Summaries, payment options such as daily statement and electronic payment through the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH), and validated duties, taxes and fees.
    Interactive communication with Customs include: courtesy notices of liquidation, extension, and suspension, consolidated reports under the National Importer Liquidation Program, monthly error statistics, timely tariff updates, query capabilities, and uniform Entry Summary processing.

    About Vastera, Inc.

    Vastera is the leading provider of software, trade content, and services designed to help companies manage and automate their international trade logistics processes. The company's software product, Global Passport(tm), is the preeminent solution for global eCommerce and is used worldwide by companies in a variety of industries.
    Clients include, ABB, Nortel, Robert Bosch, Eastman Kodak, McCormick, Amdahl, Novell, S.C. Johnson Wax, Silicon Graphics and Microsoft, among others. For more information, please visit the worldwide web site: http://www.vastera.com/.