UPS to pioneer paperless system

UPS will offer businesses a paperless international shipping option in January, an industry first.

The service will use UPS technology innovation to help integrate order processing, shipment preparation and commercial invoice data and then transmit that data to customs offices across the globe, the company outlined. This way, paper commercial invoices are eliminated; a move UPS believes will help businesses expand globally.

"UPS Paperless Invoice saves time, money and trees," said Kurt Kuehn, UPS senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "It saves our customers time and resources by reducing office supplies and staff time associated with Customs paperwork. It also gives our customers an easy, painless way to make a positive environmental impact by eliminating paper."

The company also announced the extension of its package return capability to 98 countries and territories, aimed at improving a company's cash flow through the faster return of goods and reducing support costs like help desks and phone centres focused on handling returns.