Customs’ modernisation programme – increasing efficiency and revenue

The Department of Customs and Excise has been working on a modernisation programme which they hope will vastly improve efficiency and at the same time increase revenue. It is envisaged that the first phase of this programme will be rolled out over the next two months. Historically there have been frustrating delays at time of Customs clearance. In line with its modernisation programme, Customs will be shifting its focus to pre- and post-inspection audits which should reduce the number of inspections at time of clearance, thereby streamlining the Customs clearance procedure. In order to facilitate the increased number of pre- and post-inspection audits, Customs will be employing approximately one thousand auditors to carry out this task and will furthermore be utilising a new risk engine which they hope will lead to improved consistency in decision making at branch office level by removing the discretionary powers of officers in most instances. The risk engine will be automatically updated with information for a particular client, thus forming a comprehensive, reliable and factual database free of human bias. This will, according to Customs, prevent repetitive, unnecessary stops and queries which are costly and time-consuming for both Customs and the client. The programme also aims to eliminate manual submissions entirely. Should Customs call for documents they will be able to be submitted via facsimile, e-mail or online through Sars’ website. This seems to indicate that manual submissions of any kind will not be permitted and clients will have to make use of the EDI facility. Vouchers of Correction as we know it are soon going to be a thing of the past. Although details are sketchy, the intention is that corrections will be done online. Furthermore Customs is working on a single registration document for all client types, thus simplifying the current licensing and registration process greatly. These are just a few of the things that the Department of Customs proposes to implement in the very near future in order to encourage trade across our borders and increase revenue.