Feature, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics


High tech approach pays off for new Dover forwarder

[ September 2, 2025   //   ]

Ashford customs clearance and freight forwarder Zelir Logistics has expanded its team to eight people, two years after it was set up by Joe Jeffery and Matt Dawson.

The company uses AI and new technology, including in-house designed tools, to speed up manual processes. It says it is also one of the youngest companies to obtain AEO accreditation, and has an exceptionally large customs transit guarantee.

The two twenty-somethings founded the company after being frustrated with the lack of progress they were experiencing in the customs and freight industry.

“I worked at a customs agent before and the sticking point was always tech,” Jeffrey said. “It was clear to me that processes could easily be improved but there is sometimes a reluctance to change things that have been done a certain way for many years.

“Eventually, Matt and I got together and decided to set up our own customs and freight forwarding business. We wanted to implement new technologies to speed things up from day one and prevent those avoidable delays that were hindering businesses.”

He added: “We also have all the different approvals you can get to speed things up. It means we can generally deliver the service much quicker.”

Zelir Logistics offers also offers shipping and road freight services in the UK and EU and, with it’s closeness to the ferryport,  also specialises in Dover customs clearance.

The company has now set its sights set on a European office.

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