About Vicenda
In an environment as dynamic and complex as supply chain management, it is imperative
for supply chain professionals to keep in touch with industry trends, best practices
and technological advancements in order to maintain an optimal and competitive supply
chain.
Vicenda is an innovative services company delivering business information services
to the logistics and supply chain industry. Our focus is to provide executives with
tailored business platforms that allow them to keep informed and up-to-date with
the latest industry trends. Our workshops, conferences and roundtables bring together
industry experts and seasoned practitioners to share their knowledge, experience
and insight in interactive learning environments.
Although content is always based on sound academic principles, we have a strong
focus on sharing fresh perspectives and practical solutions to the business challenges
that supply chain executives encounter daily.
Supply Chain Update is our online industry publication. Now in its fifth year, it
continues to provide a valuable platform for industry news, articles, perspectives,
multimedia, events and supply chain jobs.
Visit the site here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MASTERCLASS: LOGISTICS COSTINGS
24 July 2025
Online workshop
The logistics costs of satisfying
customer demand can be substantial, yet these costs are generally not fully
understood by organisations as typical accounting systems tend to be focused on
detailing product costs as opposed to customer service costs.
Every company has its own unique supply
chain, with highly individualized logistics cost inputs, yet most companies
seem to suffer from a lack of visibility of costs as they are incurred through
the supply chain pipeline.
In order to effectively monitor, manage
and optimise their operational costs, logistics professionals must understand
the specific logistics cost elements and drivers as well as the true costs of
servicing different customer types / channels & market segments.
The content of this workshop has been
designed to empower delegates with a solid understanding of logistics cost
elements and drivers as well as the critical relationships between physical activities,
operating performance, cost generation and pricing within a logistics
environment.
MASTERCLASS: IMPORT & EXPORT DOCUMENTATION
29 July 2025
Online workshop
Documents move goods from one country to
another, banks pay on the presentation of key documents, Customs and Excise
globally allow products entry into a country based on documentary evidence and
the only proof of performance that an exporter or importer has, are the
documents provided.
Delivered by Linda Bird-Duxbury, a leading
South African expert on all aspects of international trade, this workshop will ensure that you clearly
understand the four essential contracts of international trade:
·
The contract of sale
·
The contract of payment
·
The contract of transport
·
The contract of marine insurance
Practical examples are consistently referenced
in this workshop to provide delegates with the necessary information and
practical skills which can be easily implemented in the work-place.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS
6 - 7 August 2025
Online workshop
A Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) is a procedure specific to your operation that describes the activities
necessary to complete tasks in accordance with industry regulations, local
& international laws. The SOP is an absolute necessity to ensure that
operations between importers/exporters, freight forwarders, carriers, and other
stakeholders run smoothly.
SOPs put all parties on the
same page as your goods are in transit. When complications arise (and they do),
parties refer to the SOP document for clarity and guidance to ensure an
appropriate and consistent response.
Over these two half-days,
Linda will lead participants through the process to create an SOP that is
logical, updatable, implementable and contains your relevant company policies
including how to effectively utilise this document to prevent errors, wasted
time, and unnecessary fees and fines.
SARS COMPLIANCE FOR IMPORTERS
19 August 2025
Online workshop
The New Customs Act Programme (NCAP) is
a must know for all companies involved in any form of imports. The New Customs
Act needs to be fully understood and more importantly, how to implement these
processes within your organisation to ensure compliancy.
Workshop highlights:
· EDI (Electronic Data
Interchange) reporting and including the NCAP (the New Customs Act Programme) –
MPR (Manifest Processing system) and the RCG (Reporting of Conveyance Goods)
· Accreditation for
Preferred Trader legislation and the Customs Sufficient Knowledge programme
· Customs Values, including
obtaining a Valuation Determination Number (VDN)
· Customs calculations, how
specific, ad-valorem and excise tariffs are calculated
· Customs Procedure
Category Codes, including the permissible Customs procedures
· The Tariff Book and the
Schedules to the Customs and Excise Act
· Import documentation,
what Customs and Excise need to see with every import clearance, including
commercial, transport, origin & other supporting documentation
· The Customs SAD500 and
SAD501
LEGAL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE
9 September 2025
Online workshop
Companies often overlook the importance
of having solid contracts that look after the needs of both the seller and the
buyer. Having consulted globally on international trade risk, our workshop
facilitator has found the weakest link to often be the “contract”, frequently
resulting in costly mistakes.
In addition, understanding the
importance of having terms and conditions of sale, that talk to both local and
international sales is essential for any company involved in any aspect of
international trade.
Delivered by Linda Bird-Duxbury, a leading
South African expert on all aspects of international trade, this online workshop will provide
delegates with the most current rulings, an understanding of international and
local legal requirements and the elements that you need to put into place to
ensure that every contract entered into will provide the necessary legal protection.
The workshop is highly interactive, and
we encourage our delegates to join the workshop, armed with questions on the
challenges and experiences in your own environment.
SARS COMPLIANCE FOR EXPORTERS
17 September 2025
Online workshop
To accommodate changes in the global trade environment particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, Customs and Excise have implemented new rulings. From a local perspective, Customs and Excise have implemented the latest R316 revision which holds considerable benefits for exporters.
This revision has already been implemented, yet most exporters are unaware not only of the latest legislation relating to over-border exports and the relevant benefits to exporters but also the penalties for non-compliance.
Delivered by Linda Duxbury-Bird, regarded as the South African expert on all aspects of international trade, education and training, this half-day workshop will focus on:
· Understanding the Customs Control and Duty Bills of 2014, how this directly affects exporters and how export orders should be completed to ensure Customs compliancy
· How to ensure that all documentation is aligned to the Customs and Excise, Control and Duty Bills
· Understanding the SARS R316 Revision and invoicing procedures for exporters & when to zero rate or charge VAT with every export order
MASTERCLASS: EXPORTING INTO AFRICA
15 - 16 October 2025
Online workshop
This workshop will cover the real-world application of
how to effectively handle the technical and practical aspects relating to
exporting goods into Africa. It is highly practical and will also highlight
challenges that could arise from incorrectly applying these technical processes
and how to evade the pitfalls relating to the unique nature of exporting into
Africa.
This workshop is aimed at providing delegates with an
understanding of current best inter-processes, South African government
statutory requirements, the benefits offered by trade agreements and how to
implement up-to-date export administration processes within every organisation.
Highlights include:
· The statutory requirements for SARS and the SARB
to ensure compliancy and avoidance of fines. This includes the latest SARS R316
revision
· Trade agreements including – SADC (Southern
African Development Community Agreement) and AfCFTA (The African Continental
Free Trade Agreement) – what are the benefits?
· International methods of payment & finance –
securing payment when exporting into Africa is vital
· Export documentation – covering the A–Z of all
international trade documentation
· Moving your goods into Africa - understanding
the complexities and barriers to ensuring successful movement of your freight
into African markets.
MASTERCLASS: METHODS OF PAYMENT & INTERNATIONAL FINANCE
23 October 2025
Online workshop
In the wake of shifting geopolitical
alliances, rising protectionism, and the gradual retreat from globalization,
international trade is facing unprecedented levels of uncertainty. For
exporters, this means that securing reliable and risk-mitigated payment methods
is no longer optional - it’s essential. This course provides a critical
overview of international payment methods, with a sharp focus on the evolving
challenges of global trade.
Exporters will learn how to assess
risk, select the most secure instruments of payment, and implement practices
that protect revenue across complex international transactions. From Letters of
Credit to Documentary Collections and Open Accounts, this course equips
professionals with the knowledge and tools to trade with confidence, even in
volatile markets.
This practical workshop will provide delegates
with insight on:
·
International methods of payment including cash in advance, documentary
credits, bank collections, open account, factoring and forfeiting
·
How to interpret process and present documents under various methods of
payment including letters of credit and the UCP 600
·
South African Reserve Bank requirements including UCR Number requirements
for both SARB and SARS