'Modernisation' systems cause customs headaches at borders

A number of Southern
African Development
Community (SADC)
countries have launched
new customs modernisation
systems to speed up the cross-border
clearance processes. Instead, these
have had the opposite effect, causing
major delays as border officials
struggle to keep up with demands
of the new systems – and there is
uncertainty around processes and
regulations.
This emerged as the number
one pain point amongst industry
members FTW spoke to about the
challenges of cross-border trade.
According to Alwyn Nel, MD at
Kingfisher Freight, Zimbabwe
recently introduced a verification
system; the KM4 road terminal
in Ressano Garcia, Mozambique
was inaugurated earlier this year;
and Zambia has implemented the
new Asyworld customs clearance
process – an upgrade to the outdated
Asycuda software.
“While these are certainly a
step in the right direction in their
stated goal of verifying products
and expediting clearance, there
was no prior assessment
made as to how the
new systems would
add to the costs of
doing business –
needing to pay
for independent
verification of
products for
example
– or how
they would
delay clearance
while officials got
to grips with the
new system,” said Nel.
He told FTW that these issues
were being addressed, with trade
bodies and associations seeking
clarity. “Regrettably, answers aren’t
always forthcoming,” said Nel.
Johny Smith, CEO at the Walvis
Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), noted
that a lot of the delays were due to a
lack of harmonisation of
cross-border systems.
“Progress has been
made, but not fast
enough to
prevent ongoing
delays at border
posts.”
Easyclear
general
manager,
Michael
Henning,
commented
that the biggest
challenge for the logistics industry
was to understand the complexities
of the operational process and the
customs procedures on the continent
– particularly when transhipping.
“Delays can be avoided by doing due
diligence and ensuring the correct
documentation is provided and rules
and regulations are adhered to,” said
Henning.
Business development director for
Beyond Africa Logistics Consultants,
Ruth Butcher, added that the
different interpretations of customs
regulations often caused confusion
and subsequent delays as well. “The
language barriers at border posts can
be an added complication, especially
in Portuguese-speaking countries
such as Angola and Mozambique.
It’s best to have an agent on the
ground who speaks the local
language to ensure faster clearance of
goods,” she said.