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SAP GTS - Global Trade Services from SAP

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Various containers printed with the flags of Europe, Spain and Brazil.

SAP Global Trade Services (or in short: SAP GTS,) is a transparent all-in-one solution for global trade. It offers all the customs and foreign trade management functions required to process import and export transactions within the EU and worldwide. Through automated, digitized and standardized processes, the solution also increases compliance in international trade and ensures greater transparency and cost-effectiveness.

The different versions of SAP GTS

The very first version of SAP GTS was released in 2002. We are currently on version 11.0. As with other SAP products, maintenance for this version will end in 2025. The official successor solution is not only a new version, but also has a different technical structure. This is a solution specially designed for the HANA database called SAP GTS, edition for SAP HANA. Apart from the database, this system is compatible with both SAP ECC and S/4HANA.

The decisive factor is that the range of functions has not changed fundamentally. In addition to the database, other topics such as modified user interfaces or analytics applications that go hand in hand with the use of Fiori apps have changed. 

Functions and advantages

SAP GTS consists of four components:

SAP Compliance Management

In international foreign trade, various legal regulations must be observed. This also (and especially) includes embargoes and other legal regulations that restrict or prohibit trade with certain states, political groups, organizations or individuals. SAP Compliance Management can be used to reliably check business partners against official sanctions lists. Import and export control can be performed not only on a partner-related basis, but also on a product- and country-related basis, whereby a combination of the objects to be checked is also possible.

SAP Customs Management

SAP Customs Management enables automated and standardized customs processing so that there are no more delays in import or export due to incomplete or incorrect customs declarations. SAP GTS has interfaces for electronic communication with international customs authorities (e.g. ATLAS) and supports customs simplifications and processing procedures that enable companies to save customs duties while still acting in a legally secure and compliant manner.

SAP Risk Management

With SAP Risk Management, supplier declarations can be managed and processed easily and conveniently in order to claim customs benefits directly or indirectly. Even complex rules of origin for goods are automatically transferred and can be used in the system without any additional manual effort. This is possible because companies benefit from preferential agreements from the international trade agreements of the EU and NAFTA or the successor agreement USMCA. With optimal IT support, import duties can be reduced or complete exemption from customs duties can be achieved.

Payment guarantees (letters of credit) are required for certain export orders. If such a letter of credit is missing, SAP GTS automatically stops the transaction and informs the person (or persons) responsible. Conversely, the documents required for a transfer are checked for completeness, and importers can have payment guarantees opened in the system. With precise specifications for each supplier, it is possible to determine which information is required in each case.

SAP Electronic Compliance Reporting

SAP Electronic Compliance Reporting can be used in SAP GTS to create statistical reports for incoming and outgoing goods. You can summarize the goods movements of a reporting direction for a reporting period or enter the items per transaction. To ensure that your information on goods movements complies with the specified data formats of the statistical authorities, the corresponding formats are available for all European countries.

Why do you need SAP GTS?

The framework conditions for companies that buy and sell internationally have changed in recent years. Customs and foreign trade professionals are constantly faced with new challenges in a more complex and changing world. SAP GTS can help companies meet these requirements: 

Advantages through SAP GTS

Working with SAP GTS has several advantages. In summary, with SAP GTS you have to execute fewer processes manually. As a result, fewer errors occur, you can be sure to have the correct documents, and you don't have to worry about penalties. SAP GTS makes your work easier in the following areas: 

For whom is the solution suitable?

SAP GTS is an industry-independent solution for customs and foreign trade. It is therefore recommended for companies of all sizes that participate in cross-border trade and want to automate and standardize their import and export processes, making them more efficient and legally compliant.

The solution can be used by both trading companies and manufacturing companies to ensure maximum compliance in the procurement of materials and parts.

Like many other applications, SAP GTS must be intensively supported by the IT department for optimal stability and availability. Companies that do not have sufficient resources, can make use of modular application management services. These are generally made up of four elements that can be used in their entirety or in any combination:

  • Consulting: Remotely or on-site, smaller projects are implemented in SAP GTS and, if necessary, realized with customer-specific enhancements.
  • Technical support:&nbspIn addition to general training concepts for SAP GTS and consulting for the introduction of new supply or procurement processes, there is also the possibility of technical support, e.g. for certification procedures.
  • Technical support:&nbspThe interfaces relevant for SAP GTS, system performance, master data and document transfers are monitored. Updates for sanction lists, preference rules and statistical commodity numbers are imported in a timely manner. In addition, job administration, print and spool management, and user administration are frequently taken over.
  • Interim representation: At Personnel bottlenecks, for example due to illness, parental leave or maternity leave, close experienced AMS provider staff remotely or before place the gaps and ensure smooth operation.

What does an SAP GTS project cost?

No blanket statements can be made about how much a company has to pay for the implementation of SAP GTS. Depending on how extensive and complex such a project is, the costs can vary greatly. We have listed the most important cost factors here:

  • License costs
  • Hardware costs
  • Project costs
  • Internal resources and capacities
  • Maintenance and Support

 

Whether such an investment is worthwhile can usually be determined by a return-on-investment calculation. This involves comparing the introduction and operating costs with the costs that can be saved by introducing the system. 

This includes, for example, your internal efforts, which you can save thanks to automation and simplification. In addition, especially with this solution, you can save money if you have to pay fewer customs or penalty fees.

Disadvantages of SAP GTS

What is the main argument for SAP GTS for many companies is a stumbling block for others: The fact that SAP GTS is such a comprehensive system with numerous functions makes the solution impractical for smaller companies: Implementation is too expensive and not worthwhile if only a fraction of the functions can be used.

If your company already uses SAP in other areas, there are few other disadvantages. Both SAP GTS and its successor, SAP GTS edition for SAP HANA, are compatible with SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA and fully integrated via RFC interface. The most important processes in customs and foreign trade are supported by the solution. The only area where there is room for improvement is in intra-Community goods traffic: Intrastat reporting can be handled with the system, but there is no automatic check of the validity of VAT identification numbers and the confirmation of receipt cannot be filed. 

 

FAQ

We explain the most important terms related to SAP GTS here:

SAP Global Trade Service is a solution that standardizes and automates international trade processes. In the system, goods, business partners, receipts and proofs can be managed and documented in order to implement national and international customs and trade regulations in a legally compliant manner.

Companies can use SAP GTS to keep track of all foreign trade activities. Through automation and standardization, economic and legal risks can be avoided and costs reduced. In addition, import and export processes become faster and more transparent through the use of SAP GTS.

In principle, SAP GTS is suitable for all companies that participate in the cross-border movement of goods and need a comprehensive solution for customs and foreign trade. Cloud solutions are available for small and medium-sized companies, with which SAP GTS can be used flexibly and according to requirements.

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