Mozambican customs authorities have called for regular meetings between various stakeholders using the Port of Maputo for imports and exports. According to Dr Domingos Tivane, director general of Mozambique Customs, the setting up of a small task team by the import/export industry to regularly meet with customs officials is a sure way to ensure communication takes place often and that all involved are up to date with procedures when transporting freight. “Customs is always blamed for everything. If a truck cannot get through the border post, then we blame customs. If we do not have a health certificate, we blame customs. If we sit at immigration for more than three hours, then we blame customs. To address these and other issues, we must speak to each other. And we must speak often.” He suggested the forming of a customs committee for the Maputo Corridor area that could engage with his office. “It is difficult to speak to everyone on an individual basis. We will put together a team from our side to be available to talk to you and to answer questions. That way we are working together.” Speaking at a recent networking event of the Maputo Corridor Logistics Initiative, Dr Tivane said his office was already negotiating the possibility of an office at the port itself to deal only with transit goods. “We at Customs are not there to waste your time. We must find ways for all of us to work together and to address issues from both sides. I want to guarantee a high level quality service when I meet with you.” Dr Tivane said companies using agents in Mozambique should ensure that documentation is readily available and reaches customs timeously – one of the reasons loads often don’t move fast enough. “With the plans for the new border post already being implemented, we are sure the service from Mozambique will improve as the immigration process is increased,” said Dr Tivane. Mozambique uses SADC protocol for transiting goods and forms part of the World Customs Organisation, of which the country is the vice-chair for the African region.
