by Marlon Madden
The Customs and Excise Department is reporting progress in its modernisation plan for the clearance of air cargo, which forms part of a wider border
control and security transformation scheme for that Government agency.
During a recent information session, Deputy Comptroller of the Customs and Excise Department Sonea Jordan-Clarke gave a breakdown of how the new standardised procedures for air cargo clearance would facilitate faster clearance of goods entering the island through the air mode.
She said that the Customs Department was currently in the process of incorporating the International Air Transport Association (IATA) cargo module into the ASYCUDA World system for the air cargo clearance facilitation.
“So the customs department is in the process of doing that. We would have met with stakeholders a couple weeks back where the consultant would have gone through the module and explained the benefits and why we are going that route,” she said.
“The IATA cargo module is a module which will be integrated into the ASYCUDA world to allow for the categorisation of air cargo . . . The IATA cargo module once integrated into ASYCUDA world, it allows airlines and freight forwarders and shippers to use it to exchange air cargo electronic information with Customs.
“Once this information is uploaded then Customs can see the information . . . so that we can do the necessary checks,” she explained.
She further explained that the system will consist of four categories and will be able to make a determination how to proceed with the cargo based on their categorisation. Stressing that it will facilitate customs risk management for air cargo shipment and result in the avoidance of unnecessary delays, Jordan-Clarke explained that category one will be for correspondence and documents, category two will consist of non-dutiable goods that do not require declaration, while category three will be for dutiable goods and the final category will be for high-value consignment that will require the full goods declaration as required in ASYCUDA.
“This is a system that has not been implemented yet. It is being discussed and being put before the stakeholders and will be implemented for the benefit of the expediting of the air cargo,” she said.
Outlining the benefits of the planned module, Jordan-Clarke said both traders and Customs should witness reduced clearance time, a reduction in the cost of doing business, reduction for the need of scarce resources, a reduction in costs, the elimination of paper, greater customs control and better compliance with customs regulations, among other benefits.
“The overall benefit that I see here for both customs and traders is that there will be improved trade facilitation as advised by the trade facilitation agreement,”
she added.
“The Customs is responding to the request of the traders and we are also responding to the requirements of the agreements that we have signed on to, and we are acknowledging the recommendations that have been put by the revised Kyoto Convention and therefore that is why we are seeking to implement these processes that we can have the clearance of cargo beforehand and therefore have customs on the cutting edge as far as doing business is concerned,” she explained.
Jordan-Clarke was speaking during a recent webinar hosted by the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Barbados Customs and Excise Department on the pre-clearance of cargo and Trusted Trader programme.
The pre-clearance of cargo initiative allows for the submission and processing of information prior to the arrival of a shipment allowing for faster clearance of imports, while the Trusted Trader programme allows for importers to gain certain benefits, engage in a level of self-regulation and predictable level of engagement with Customs, and enjoy a smoother clearance process.
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