Customs Service Modernization

A companion to the 'Customs Modernization Handbook', this book provides case studies on customs modernization initiatives in seven countries: Bolivia, Morocco, Mozambique, Peru, the Philippines, Turkey, and Uganda. The initiatives in each of these countries show similarities as well as differences in their approach and design. Some have relied on a model of independent revenue authorities (Uganda and Peru), others have called upon private sector service providers to initiate the modernization process (Mozambique), others have taken the drastic step of a complete overhaul of their customs staff (Bolivia and Mozambique), others introduced new information technology to streamline customs processes and to integrate other members of the trading community into an electronic network (Ghana), while still others have approached the modernization process as a pragmatic, well-focused, result-oriented process.

Trade integration contributes substantially to economic development and poverty alleviation. In recent years much progress was made to liberalize the trade regime, but customs procedures are often still complex, costly and non-transparent. This situation leads to misallocation of resources. 'Customs Modernization Handbook' provides an overview of the key elements of a successful customs modernization strategy and draws lessons from a number of successful customs reforms as well as from customs reform projects that have been undertaken by the World Bank. It describes a number of key import procedures, that have proved particularly troublesome for customs administrations and traders, and provides practical guidelines to enhance their efficiency. The Handbook also reviews the appropriate legal framework for customs operations as well as strategies to combat corruption.

Pursuant to the U.S. Customs Services fiscal year 2002 appropriation,1 Customs submitted to Congress in February 2002 its second expenditure plan, requesting $206.9 million for its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) project. ACE is intended to be Customs new import processing system and the first project under the Customs Modernization Program. As required by the act, we reviewed the expenditure plan. Our objectives were to (1) determine whether the second plan satisfied the legislative conditions specified in the act, (2) determine whether the plan is consistent with our open ACE recommendations, and (3) provide observations about the second plan and Customs management of ACE.

Customs Service Modernization: Management Improvements Needed on High-Risk Automated Commercial Environment Project

Customs Service: Comments on the Customs Modernization and Informed Compliance Act

In order for the ideal of international trade to become reality, customs procedures dating back centuries must be eliminated and replaced with modernized practices designed to foster cooperation and efficiency in world trade. The International Customs Modernization Process (ICMP), detailed in this remarkable book, will do just that. With the aid of modern technology and business practices, nations and industries will benefit through improved enforcement of customs, more streamlined trade of goods, and overall growth of economies. The ICMP is an 11 step process that begins by improving the fundamentals. It then outlines three enabling processes and concludes with implementation and integration of the process and a vision of the promised future.