Kunio Mikuriya, the Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), has announced that 2016 will be a year for promoting efforts to digitize all Customs processes and has coined the slogan “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement.” This concerted effort will enable all WCO members to highlight and promote the facilitation of Information and Communication Technologies.

Digital Customs represents the use of any automated or electronic processes that support the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs activities, which typically include the use of smartphones, custom websites, electronic information exchange, automated Customs clearance systems, and the Single Window concept.

The ability to transform the manner in which Customs operates is the single most important topic during this new era of Digital Customs. This resulting enhancement will facilitate many crucial activities for Customs Administration

  • The ability of Customs to communicate and process goods.
  • Enhanced reception and exchange of critical information.
  • Coordination of border activities.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders on law enforcement actions.
  • Considerably promote transparency.

Improved Technologies

The resulting improvement of technological processes results in a significant positive impact and transformation of the Customs landscape.

Compliance

Agencies will realize improved compliance efforts facilitated by the increased access to available regulatory functions, information and services shared by all international trade interests.

Coordination

Enhanced coordination at the national and international level between border regulatory agencies and Custom units;

Enhanced Transparency

Efforts of collaboration will result in enhanced transparency in regulatory processes and critical decision making. The increase of certain performance measurements will lead to greatly improved Customs procedures and existing levels of integrity. This collection and thorough analysis of data will also result in efficiencies that enhance the detection of irregularities and illicit consignments.

Analysts are certain that the positive outcomes will significantly contribute to the resulting realization of Custom’s objectives which include the improved collection of revenue, secure borders, a collection of trade statistics, and ultimately improved trade facilitation.

Currently, the World Customs Organization retains an extensive portfolio of various processes, instruments, and tools that support all WCO Members in their endeavor to further take advantage of Digital Customs. “Over the course of 2016, I invite all WCO Members to promote and share information on how they are implementing and using digital technologies to advance and achieve their objectives,” said WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya.

The WCO’s annual theme is scheduled to be launched on International Customs Day, an annual celebration by the International Customs community, and invites the Customs community to mark January 26th in their diary.

Author’s note: your very own Clearit.ca has fully embraced the digital world and has made clearing customs online an extremely simple process. If you’re looking to clear customs online, all you need to do is setup an account and we’ll guide you along.