AS the Department of Customs battles a chronic lack of manpower and resources, alternative customs fraud prevention measures are at the top of the agenda.
Mandatory pre-shipment inspection was one of the solutions which drew mixed reaction. Industry was concerned that it could add unnecessary red tape to an already unwieldy system.
Preshipment inspection company SGS, however, believes it has an alternative answer which could solve the problem.
Marketing manager Angel Ramphele explained.
SGS proposes a Trade Management Programme (TMP) based on a port graphical tracking system. It is designed to manage the movement of cargo from carrier to receiver in a manner which will greatly speed the movement of cargo, deter smuggling and substitution, and track transit cargo to point of export.
SGS is prepared to make substantial financial investment in its programme to ensure a fast transfer of technology and a short implementation period, he told FTW.
The SGS system will not value or classify imports or exports and does not propose any mandatory valuation system, but would make a computerised valuation and classification database available to Customs which they would be able to use at their own discretion.
SGS believes the system will facilitate pre-clearance of imports and exports and speed up revenue collection, Ramphele said.
