Sars spells out five-point modernisation programme

SA REVENUE Service (Sars) is moving ahead with its Customs Modernisation Programme, according to Andre Kritzinger, customs projects and initiatives manager. Within the next 12 to 16 months, the authority will embark on a five-point plan that will include: • Modernising customs’ IT systems with centralised processing and risk management to support frontline staff; • The phased roll-out of the Customs Border Control Unit; • The establishment of an Authorised Economic Operator Programme to reward compliant traders and to manage traders according to risk; • The deployment of customs scanners at Durban and other key ports of entry across South Africa; and • Preparing customs control points and systems to meet capacity and demands of 2010 travellers and approved traders. “Through these five main initiatives we aim to improve overall customs control,” said Kritzinger.