The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) successfully expedited the delivery of urgently needed HIV rapid test kits to Mali, reducing the typical five-week supply chain lead time to just 11 days.
Early in 2025, Mali placed a large order of HIV testing products scheduled for phased delivery, with shipments planned for mid-year and year-end. Following an extensive national HIV testing campaign over the summer, demand outpaced projections, impacting inventory levels ahead of the final scheduled delivery.
In response, PFSCM immediately coordinated with the supplier and freight forwarder to assess available inventory and identify options to accelerate part of the year-end shipment.
PFSCM Senior Logistics Specialist Massimiliano Berti explains that the supplier was able to release a portion of the stock earlier than anticipated. He adds that the Malian recipient agreed to accept the available shelf life, slightly less than normally aimed for, given that the products would be rapidly distributed and used.
Working closely with one of its logistics services providers, PFSCM restructured the transportation plan, splitting the shipment to prioritize the most urgent stock and minimize transit, import, and clearance times.
“When we learned that Mali was in urgent need of HIV test kits, we immediately engaged the supplier to confirm available stock and began replanning transportation to secure the fastest possible pickup and clearance options,” Berti said.
The supplier prepared shipping documentation within just two days. The tax waiver process applicable to health products procured with donated funds, which typically takes about one month, was completed in under two weeks.
In addition, the use of direct airport release enabled the products to be cleared while tax exemption documentation was finalized at a later agreed stage, eliminating additional storage time at the airport.
With near-immediate pickup from the supplier and expedited clearance procedures, five pallets of HIV rapid test kits were transported from Germany to Mali in just 11 days, enabling national HIV testing campaigns to continue without interruption.
With the urgent shipment delivered, the remaining portion of the original year-end order was rescheduled for delivery in May 2026. In total, 976 kits of 50 tests each will be delivered to Mali.
Reflecting on the operation, Berti highlighted the close and quick collaboration among all parties, including various PFSCM teams, the supplier who was able to provide products and shipping documents right away, the freight forwarder who picked up the goods promptly and oversaw the remarkably quick waiver processing, direct exit, and eventually customs clearance, and the recipient who remained flexible and completed their responsibilities duly too.
