Lesotho’s borders are set to go electronic when the Automated SYstem for CUstoms Data (Asycuda) is rolled out at Maseru Bridge and Maseru ports in August this year. That’s the plan, according to the Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA), with the system to be implemented at all other border posts three months later. A pilot programme – which has taken longer than expected – has been under way since August last year at the Maputsoe (Ficksburg) border. According to Hilary Woelk, director of specialist Lesotho operator Kayhil Freight, it’s been difficult for Customs staff to adjust from a manual to an automated system. “Agents also needed to adjust,” said Woelk, “and the system had to be stabilised from the point of the communications. Data had to be collected and collated in order to write the relevant risks into the database, and as numerous traders shifted from that border to noncomputerised borders, it took much longer to obtain that data.” The revenue authority has however been engaging with the agents in terms of training and education and once the system is up and running the benefits will be significant. “Lengthy border delays will be a thing of the past because bills of entry should all be precleared. Payment methods will also change from manually captured systems on arrival at the border to mainly deferred accounts – which is good news for both parties. “For international consignments, we expect to reduce the time for submission of an entry from an average 24-48 hours to approximately four hours. This because the computer risk engine will do approximately 90% of the entries while the remaining 10% will be manually processed. In addition there will no longer be a situation where officers and agents discuss the entries and then reach a consensus as the ‘hub’ will not be available for agents to physically visit.” Realistically, however, there are likely to be several teething problems before the system is glitch-free. LRA staff will have to move from the current manual method of examining each entry to a system where the majority of the entries are automatically processed via the computer. The payment method will also change. “LRA needs to issue agents with either a deferred or deposit account, thereby enabling the automatic processing when the entry is framed. In addition, every consignment entering Lesotho requires that the consignee be registered with the LRA, and that registration requires a Tax Identification Number (TIN). Since a number of small traders don’t have this it’s likely to lead to some administrative delays at the border. INSERT We expect to reduce the time for submission of an entry from an average 24-48 hours to approximately four hours. – Hilary Woelk CAPTION Border Post Welcome to Lesotho
