6195 Barfield Road
Atlanta GA, 30328
United States
The Panama Canal revolutionized shipping and world commerce over a 100 years ago. But in 2021, the bicoastal country of Panama is expanding its strategic location by becoming a regional logistics hub. Because it has plenty of competitive advantages for international corporations, it stands apart from other ports in Latin America.
Today, the goals for JAS Panama are clear: to develop its hub-related services in the Central, South American, and Caribbean regions as well as to exponentially grow operations by 2024. This will lead the way to increase the JAS presence in the near future.
The actions JAS Panama has taken over the last six years have been key in getting operations on the right path. JAS Panama has located a better and bigger warehouse at the Colón Free Zone on the Atlantic coast, attracting global accounts to set up their regional distribution hub. This is the case with companies like Ricoh, one of JAS Panama's top local clients. JAS is expanding its Panama cargo consolidation services as well, broadening the reach within the area, taking advantage of the reduced transit times for regional distribution, either from Europe or Asia.
Over 80 major shipping lines connect Panama with all regional ports. The ports of Atlantic (4,454,902 TEU), and the Pacific (3,161,657 TEU), just an hour apart by land, are the top 2 most active port clusters in LATAM. Using Colón as the JAS Panama hub, the average transit times for inbound and outbound ocean freight cargo improve considerably which allows companies to experience a faster time to market. Panama City’s Tocumen Airport is also the best connected in the region, covering over 100 destinations and 132,000 annual flights.
Moving cargo through Panama’s Free Zone is duty-free for all imports and exports, with the added advantage that income tax is greatly reduced via government incentives. This has led many multinational companies to establish their regional headquarters in Panama, which in turn has created a positive impact for local shipping and logistics industries.
Colón is the second biggest free zone in the world after Hong Kong and its market share continues to grow at a steady pace. A few years ago, the Panama Canal expansion widened its route to accommodate post Panamax vessels. This has provided new avenues for global commerce.
Following the JAS industry support philosophy, regional clients include companies from varied industries such as telecommunications, computer technology, business solutions, manufacturing, and food & beverage. JAS has also been able to grow within the e-commerce market, putting the company on the map and providing experience that will surely benefit JAS' global operations.
There is a great deal to say about Panama, a “hub of hubs”, as some experts call it, and all its benefits for JAS Worldwide and our ever-growing family of clients.
We would like to remind our customers of the implementation of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2), the European Union’s enhanced pre-arrival safety and security program for cargo entering or transiting through EU Member States, as well as Norway, Switzerland, and Northern Ireland. Effective 1 September 2025, ICS2 became mandatory across all modes of transport—air, ocean, road, and rail. This regulation requires the submission of detailed shipment data via an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) prior to cargo arrival at the EU border.
What You Need to Know ICS2 is designed to:
Your Responsibilities as a Shipper or Cargo Owner
To ensure compliance and avoid disruptions, please take note of the following obligations:
Data Submission Requirements
You must provide:
Filing Responsibilities
Non-Compliance Risks Failure to comply with ICS2 requirements may lead to:
Recommended Actions to prepare for ICS2 compliance:
Technology & Support
In response to the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requirements, we want to reassure our customers that our experienced staff and systems are fully prepared to manage the necessary data submissions and compliance procedures on your behalf. To support this service and ensure the smooth processing of your shipments, a compliance handling fee will apply. This fee covers the administrative effort and data validation to meet the latest EU regulations efficiently and accurately.
We are also investing in digital tools and customs platforms to automate data validation and submission, reducing manual errors and ensuring timely compliance. If you have any questions or would like guidance on preparing your shipment data, please contact your JAS account representative.
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JAS has been awarded a Silver Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability assessment, achieving a score of 75 points. This marks a 15-point improvement from last year’s Bronze rating and places JAS among the top 15% of companies assessed globally.
EcoVadis is one of the world’s most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings, evaluating over 130,000 companies across four categories: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
In the latest assessment, JAS received particularly strong recognition in the Environment category (91/100), reflecting our focus on decarbonization, responsible resource use, and advancing sustainable logistics solutions. JAS also recorded solid progress in Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement, showing how JAS is working to embed responsible practices across its global operations and supply chain.
Andrea Goeman, SVP Sustainability, JAS, commented:
“We are proud to see our progress recognized with the EcoVadis Silver Medal. This achievement reflects the collaboration across our global teams and our strong commitment to building a more sustainable future for our customers, partners, and communities. While this is an important milestone, we will continue to strengthen our practices to further improve our performance in the years ahead.”
With a score of 75 points, JAS now ranks in the 92nd percentile of all companies assessed by EcoVadis. This performance not only supports many of our customers’ supplier selection and evaluation processes, but also highlights the steady progress we are making year over year.
As JAS continues its sustainability journey, the company remains focused on driving measurable improvements across its operations and working closely with customers and partners to reduce environmental impact and achieve shared sustainability goals.
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Every year, Golden Week marks one of China’s most significant national holidays. In 2025, the holiday will run from October 1–8, and during this time, most factories, government offices, and many businesses will close or operate at reduced capacity. While this week-long celebration is important for millions in China, it can create challenges for global supply chains if businesses don’t plan ahead.
What Is Golden Week?
Golden Week celebrates China’s National Day and typically involves an extended public holiday for workers across the region. For the logistics industry, it means a temporary slowdown in manufacturing and transportation as employees take time off.
How Does Golden Week Impact Supply Chains?
The impact of Golden Week goes beyond the week itself. Here’s what companies can expect:
How to Prepare for Golden Week
Proactive planning is key to minimizing disruptions. Here are three practical steps:
Don’t let Golden Week catch you off guard. Start planning today to keep your goods moving and your supply chain strong.
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