Navigating Global Trade with SAP: TM-GTS Integration Explained

In a rapidly evolving global market, seamless logistics and strict trade compliance are non-negotiable. SAP Transportation Management (TM) and SAP Global Trade Services (GTS) are two powerful solutions that help organizations meet these demands. When integrated, they create a unified, efficient, and compliant supply chain.

Why TM-GTS integration?

SAP TM enables companies to plan, execute, monitor, and settle transportation activities efficiently. SAP GTS, on the other hand, automates global trade processes such as compliance checks, export declarations, and customs clearance.

Together, they ensure:

• Automated trade compliance directly within transport workflows.
• Faster, smoother cross-border shipping.
• Reduced manual paperwork and errors.

1. Export declarations for global shipments

A European electronics exporter uses TM to plan shipments and automatically trigger export declarations in GTS, ensuring all goods are legally cleared before departure.

2. Customs clearance automation

An automotive supplier integrates TM and GTS to generate customs documents in advance, resulting in faster border clearance and higher customer satisfaction.

3. Sanctioned party screening

A chemical manufacturer screens all stakeholders directly during transport planning in TM, minimizing compliance risks and preventing business disruptions.

Key integration aspects

Connectivity flow

The integration architecture shows SAP TM sending freight orders and freight bookings to SAP GTS, which handles export declarations and customs clearance. Status updates then flow back to TM to continue execution seamlessly.

Object mapping

In SAP TM, freight orders represent detailed transport execution documents used to manage and track planned shipments with specific carriers. Freight bookings are reservations with ocean or air freight forwarders to secure capacity for future shipments, typically used for long-distance or international scenarios.
These objects are mapped to trade documents in GTS. Compliance events are defined to determine when checks should trigger (for example, upon order creation).

Master data synchronization

Business partner and material data must be synchronized to maintain accurate and consistent compliance checks.

Benefits of TM-GTS integration

An integrated TM-GTS landscape brings strategic advantages:

• Automated legal control checks: As soon as a freight order is created, embargo and compliance checks can be performed automatically.
• Automated export declarations: TM documents can trigger export declarations in GTS based on predefined business rules, with declarations seamlessly transferred to customs authorities once compliance checks succeed.
• Proactive customs clearance preparation: Data is prepared and shared early, enabling pre-clearance activities and minimizing port or border delays.

Implementation Highlights

1. Setting up the TM-GTS connection

• Define customs profiles and customs activities in TM.
• Assign customs profiles to relevant TM documents.
• Configure web services via SAP Process Integration (PI) or point-to-point connections.

2. Master data setup

Synchronize business partner and material master data between systems.

3. Compliance scenarios in GTS

• Configure export control, embargo, and license determination.
• Set up customs clearance, and export declaration processes for automated declaration handling.

4. Testing

• Perform end-to-end testing for various export and import scenarios.
• Monitor using GTS cockpits and logs.

Key differentiators

• Reduced compliance risk through automated checks and controls.
• Faster cross-border movements thanks to proactive customs and export clearance.
• Improved operational efficiency via reduced manual work and automated documentation.
• End-to-end supply chain visibility with clear compliance status across transport milestones.
• Higher customer satisfaction due to predictable lead times and minimized delays.

Final thoughts

Integrating SAP TM and GTS empowers organizations to build fully compliant, agile, and transparent global supply chains. This combination ensures efficient, regulation-aligned logistics operations while enhancing customer experience and reducing operational risks.

With deep expertise in both SAP Transportation Management (TM) and SAP Global Trade Services (GTS), ArchLynk is the ideal implementation partner to accelerate implementation, mitigate risks, and unlock end-to-end efficiency — turning logistics into a true competitive edge.

Reach out to us for an end-to-end integrated demo today.