How does the system handle partial shipments and multiple invoices?

For partial shipments, you can include multiple SAD documents per shipment. For multiple invoices, the file remains open until documents matching the total value of all invoices are received and verified.

How does the platform handle exchange rate discrepancies?

Rates are tracked according to commercial values on the SAD 500 documents versus the invoices. Any discrepancies trigger the system’s Exception Management Rules for manual review and annotation.

Is the system secure and auditable?

Yes. Logins follow best practices using AD, OAUTH2, and PAM. All tasks, approvals, notes, and document movements are fully auditable for both IT security and business process compliance.

Tradelink FX | Import Automation Software for South African Trade Compliance

Tradelink FX — South Africa's import automation platform for SARS, SARB, and freight forwarder compliance

South Africa’s leading import and export automation platform — connecting your ERP, SARS Customs, SARB, and freight forwarders in one seamless workflow.

Tradelink FX is an end-to-end import automation software platform that digitizes and automates your entire import supply chain — from purchase order to customs clearance and bank settlement. Built specifically for South African trade compliance, it connects importers, freight forwarders, banks, and tax authorities in a single supply chain management hub, eliminating manual processing, reducing fraud risk, and ensuring full SARS and SARB regulatory compliance at every step.

Whether you need to automate Advance Payment Notifications (APN), streamline BOP reporting, or eliminate manual matching of Bills of Entry against supplier invoices — Tradelink FX is the trade finance software South African businesses trust to keep imports and exports flowing. As a fully integrated foreign exchange automation and supply chain automation software solution, Tradelink FX connects natively to your ERP, removing data lag and compliance risk from your trade operations.

From freight forwarder document management and multi-way matching to automated FEC reconciliation and SARS customs compliance — Tradelink FX handles the full import/export workflow so your finance and operations teams don’t have to.

For Suppliers & Freight Forwarders

A single point of contact to manage orders, share shipping documents, and receive payments, including a clear view of VAT
and duty charges.

For Importers & Customers

A dashboard that provides real-time tracking, automated alerts, and a clear overview of all your imports and their associated costs, including seamless reconciliation of your FEC.

For Banks & Financial Institutions

A streamlined system for managing payments, foreign exchange transactions, and regulatory reporting, with built-in checks to ensure all documents are valid.

Automate your Financial Supply Chain - Enter your details below to find out how Tradelink FX integrates with your ERP

Real Impact by Numbers
See why top businesses trust Tradelink FX to eliminate manual work

MANHOURS SAVED

500

DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES SERVED

ZAR SAVED P/A

200000

Why TRADELINK FX?

- End-to-End Visibility: Gain a real-time, comprehensive view of your entire import process, from the moment an order is placed to the final delivery.
- Seamless Collaboration: Eliminate endless emails and phone calls. Tradelink's platform allows for direct, efficient communication and document sharing among all parties involved.
- Automated Compliance & Financial Control: Tradelink simplifies interactions with the Reserve Bank and Tax Authorities, ensuring your transactions are compliant and your paperwork is in order. Tradelink also automatically handles VAT and duty charges from the freight forwarder, so you have a complete and accurate financial record.
- Enhanced Security: All your sensitive data and financial transactions are handled within a secure, encrypted environment.

- Accounting Integration via API: Tradelink seamlessly integrates with your existing accounting system through APIs. This ensures that all accounting transactions and documents follow a consistent business flow, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring financial accuracy.
- Reduced Costs: By optimizing communication and automating workflows, Tradelink helps you cut down on delays, avoid costly errors, and improve operational efficiency.
- Risk Mitigation: Tradelink's platform goes beyond simple communication. Tradelink automatically checks for duplicate or fraudulent documents and reconciles your Foreign Exchange Contract (FEC) drawdowns with the bank, providing an extra layer of financial security and preventing costly errors.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS

General Platform & Workflow

What is the primary function of this trade finance platform?

The platform serves as a central hub for managing the end-to-end supply chain documentation required for foreign payments. It connects the Client, the Treasury Operations Centre (TOC), the Bank, and Freight Forwarders to ensure all necessary documents—from Proforma Invoices to SAD 500s—are collated, audited, and submitted for Foreign Exchange Contracts (FEC) and spot deals.

Who uses the platform?

The platform is designed for:

Clients/Importers: To upload invoices and view payment status.
TOC (Treasury Operations Centre): To manage workflows, speak to freight forwarders, and review compliance.
Banks: To receive auditable documentation packages for BOP reporting.
Freight Forwarders: To assist in retrieving customs documentation (SAD 500/MRN).

Is the platform accessible on mobile devices?

Yes. The application is browser-based and fully responsive, functioning seamlessly as an application on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

Banking & Balance of Payments (BOP)

What is the difference between BOP Category 101 and BOP Category 103?

These categories define the timing of the payment relative to the movement of goods:

BOP 101 (Advance Payment): Payment is made before the goods have been cleared by customs. The importer must later provide the SAD 500 to “acquit” the transaction.
BOP 103 (Import Payment): Payment is made after goods have cleared customs. Proof of import (SAD 500/MRN) is provided at the time of the transaction, closing the loop immediately.

How does the system handle Foreign Exchange Contracts (FEC) and Spot Deals?

The system is task-driven. It aggregates all documentation related to a specific FEC or spot deal from the bank. It ensures that before a deal is finalized or funds are released, the necessary compliance checks and document reviews are completed.

How are exchange rate discrepancies handled?

Rates are tracked according to the commercial values on the SAD 500 documents versus the invoices. Any discrepancies in exchange rates trigger the system’s Exception Management Rules, allowing for manual review and annotation before approval.

Documentation & Customs Compliance

What happens if documents like the SAD 500 are missing?

The platform features an automated “Advance Payment Reminder” system. If a payment was made (BOP 101) but the SAD 500 hasn’t been uploaded yet, the system automatically sends reminders to the relevant parties to retrieve the missing documentation to avoid audit penalties.

How does the system track customs entries?

We track three key reference numbers to ensure a full audit trail:

LRN: Local Reference Number.
MRN: Movement Reference Number.
SAD 500: The Single Administrative Document for customs declaration.

Any mismatches on the MRN can be annotated or rejected within the system.

Can the system handle partial shipments or multiple invoices?

Yes:

Partial Shipments: You can include multiple SAD documents per single shipment/payment to account for goods arriving in batches.
Multiple Invoices: A file will only be “closed off” once all documents matching the total value of the multiple invoices are received.

Security & Integration

How does the platform integrate with existing ERP or Accounting systems?

The platform hosts documentation pulled directly from Accounting Systems/ERPs (such as Proforma Invoices and Purchase Orders). It combines these with external uploads to create a single source of truth.

What security measures are in place for user logins?

We adhere to strict IT security best practices. Authentication is managed via:

AD: Active Directory integration.
OAUTH2: Secure token-based authentication.
PAM: Privileged Access Management for high-level administrative tasks.

Is the system auditable?

Yes. All tasks, approvals, payment notes, and document movements are fully auditable in terms of both Accounting & IT security logs and business process history.

Who trusted TRADELINK FX

What they say about ISN

Over the last five years, ISN has been instrumental in our digital transformation. Their expertise in business automation, intelligent invoice ingestion and processing for our procure-to-pay cycle has significantly streamlined our operations. They have also partnered, collaborated and supported our drive in identifying opportunities in automating our credit applications and master vendor take-on. One of their most recent contributions has been the development of a single platform for imports via Tradelink FX. The Tradelink FX platform provides the automated integration of our ERP data from purchase order to freight forwarders, offering in-depth tracking and generating vital audit data for compliance with SARS and Reserve Bank regulations , as well as our local Audit requirements

The systems and processes ISN developed for us have had a profound effect on our business, directly influencing our key performance indicators, i.e. liquidity and net working capital optimisation. We are now the best-in-class performer globally in overdue receivables %, inter-continental payables management, liquidity management and improved efficiencies/automation.