Feeport OÜ CEO Luis Pimentel Shares Insights on the Company’s Activities, Work, and Life in Estonia

One of the members of the Estonian Aviation Cluster is Feeport OÜ, a software development company founded in 2021. The company’s CEO, Luis Pimentel, told us more about what the company does, the exciting projects they are working on, and also shared his thoughts on life and business in Estonia.

What kind of company is Feeport OÜ? What does it do?

Feeport OÜ is a Tallinn-based Estonian software company specializing in technological solutions for cross-border e-commerce customs compliance. We develop innovative SaaS platforms designed to streamline and automate the complexities of customs clearance for e-commerce businesses, particularly those importing goods into the European Union from non-EU countries. Our primary product, x7trade, enables companies to submit and manage customs declarations, ensure ICS2 compliance, and receive real-time shipment status updates, making the entire customs process more efficient and transparent.

What are the company’s biggest achievements so far?

Feeport’s most notable achievements include the successful launch and integration of x7trade across multiple EU countries, making all features accessible under a single interface, along with our new ICS2 compliance solution. Our platform has become an essential tool for clients in 10 EU Member States, including top integrators, emerging e-commerce logistics operators, and customs brokers. Among our significant milestones, one of the most impressive was enabling a client in Finland to automate the customs clearance of 800 000 parcels per month in less than seven months, showcasing the platform’s scalability and effectiveness.

Can you explain what x7trade is and where the interesting name comes from?

x7trade is our flagship SaaS platform designed to automate the submission of bulk low-value e-commerce declarations for goods imported into the EU, ensuring full compliance with the EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2) requirements. This neutral solution can be utilized by any business in the e-commerce supply chain, including members from other European aviation clusters, whether in neighboring Latvia or Portugal, as our solution aims to be pan-European, connecting with all customs authorities across the EU.

The platform also provides comprehensive shipment status updates across the supply chain, enabling businesses to manage their customs processes more scalably and accurately.

As for the name, “x” signifies cross-border trade and the continuous cycle of customs clearance processes within a single platform. The “7” refers to the H7 declarations, specifically designed for low-value e-commerce goods. The “trade” aspect underscores our focus on facilitating cross-border e-commerce. Together, x7trade represents our commitment to making cross-border trade transparent, seamless, and efficient.

Before we get to the company’s future plans, how did you reach your current position as the CEO of the company?

My journey to becoming CEO of Feeport has been shaped by a broad range of experiences, from founding, scaling, and selling a successful marketing agency to leading an investment consulting firm and driving record ARR growth in an international e-commerce SaaS startup. These experiences have given me deep insights into the startup ecosystem and enhanced my ability to help other companies scale. I believe that my background and proven track record were key to my appointment as CEO at Feeport. Together with our brilliant team, we will continue to drive innovation in cross-border trade, particularly in the e-commerce customs flow.

Additionally, I’m honored to have been invited to join the board as chairman at the end of August. This new role will allow me to further contribute to the strategic direction of the company, ensuring that we continue to lead and innovate in our industry.

What are the company’s immediate goals that are currently being worked on? Ongoing projects?

Our immediate goals at Feeport focus on expanding x7trade’s reach across Europe and enhancing its features to meet the evolving needs of our clients and customs requirements. We are currently working on new features that will enable companies to offer more services, improve their efficiency, and have a complete overview of their operations, giving them the insights to make informed decisions and the opportunity to scale. We’re also continuing our integration with customs authorities in additional EU Member States, with the goal of achieving seamless operations across the entire European Economic Area (EEA) by the end of 2025.

What are the company’s long-term goals? Ideally, what will Feeport and x7trade look like in 5 years?

In the next five years, we envision Feeport and x7trade becoming the leading neutral go-to solutions for e-commerce customs compliance across Europe. One of our core values is neutrality, so we are committed to being a technology provider without competing with our clients. We also aim to continually innovate our platform by incorporating advanced technologies like AI and machine learning to predict and mitigate customs clearance issues before they arise. Ultimately, we want Feeport and x7trade to be synonymous with efficiency, reliability, and innovation in the e-commerce logistics industry.

What do you think about life and work in Estonia? What have been the biggest cultural differences and surprises compared to your home country?

Living and working in Estonia has been an enriching experience. Estonia’s digital society and thriving startup ecosystem are truly impressive and something I’ve admired for a long time. The ease of doing business here, thanks to the country’s advanced e-governance and transparent regulatory environment, is something I believe many people take for granted, but it has had a profound impact on attracting companies like Feeport.

Culturally, the most significant difference compared to Portugal has been the reserved nature of Estonians. However, once you break through the initial formality, I’ve found people here to be incredibly warm, supportive, and innovative. The focus on work-life balance and the emphasis on sustainability are also refreshing changes that align with my values.

Any thoughts you would like to add or share?

I would like to emphasize the importance of staying adaptable and innovative in the ever-changing landscape of e-commerce and logistics. The challenges of customs compliance can seem daunting, but with the right tools and strategies, they can be transformed into opportunities for growth and differentiation. At Feeport, we’re committed to helping our clients navigate these challenges and succeed in the global market. Estonia have an excellent environment for fostering this innovation, and I’m excited about what the future holds for us here.