Interview with AJ Hernandez, Sky Postal

Ahead of the World Mail & Express Americas (WMX Americas) Conference in Miami, we caught up with AJ Hernandez, President and CEO at SkyPostal. AJ will be speaking at WMX Americas 2019 and offers his thoughts on the conference and the future of the industry.

This interview was originally published on Post&Parcel in January 2019.

P&P – Tell us a little bit about yourself and your company.

AJ – I joined the family business in 1993 and have been in the industry ever since. SkyPostal is an alternative delivery service (ADS) for mail and parcels – we are an alternative to the national posts and the express carriers throughout Latin America.

P&P – What will you be speaking about at WMX Americas this year?

AJ – I’ve been asked to speak about Tax and Duty Considerations in the Latin American Market.

P&P – What do you hope our delegates will take away from your presentation?

AJ – That they realize that taxes and duties vary greatly from country to country and that perhaps they will look at the best practices of some of their counterparts in other countries and look to bring those ideas home.

P&P – What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing your business today?

AJ – Government instability and economic uncertainty throughout the region is a concern. The region has historically been a roller coaster; some stability would be nice.

P&P – Apart from the presentations and content, what aspect of WMX Americas are you most looking forward to?

AJ – Networking is the most important part of the conference – this is where ideas are born and new businesses become reality.

P&P – How can we advance the post and parcel industry?

AJ – In Latin America we need to update antiquated customs entry that is based on the commercial import environment from 50 years ago to one that considers e-commerce imports for individual use.

P&P – How has the postal industry changed in the past 5 years? What do you predict will happen in the next 5 to 10 years?

AJ – I think posts are feeling the pressure in the drop in lettermail, as we all have, and have realized that their futures depend on playing in the B2C parcel arena. Over the next 5 years those that can adapt and take advantage of any benefits granted to the post will see massive growth, those that do not will face financial troubles.

P&P – What is the biggest challenge in the post and parcel industry at the moment?

AJ – Antiquated customs procedures and processes and protectionist duty and tax regimes. Customs authorities need to evolve to manage e-commerce B2C shipments that are for the shopper’s personal use and not for resale.

P&P – What impacts do you foresee from President Trump’s American Made policy and the recent US China trade wars?

AJ – I think it is taking a step backwards and ignoring that there is a global economy – the countries that try to not participate will, in the long run, fall behind.

AJ will be speaking at the World Mail & Express Americas Conference 2019. WMX Americas is taking place at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay (10 – 12 February 2019). Visit www.wmxamericas.com for more information.