Customs & Trade Facilitation
Need for a Standard and Harmonized Approach
Customs authorities in many countries around the world now require advance submission of electronic cargo information for risk and assessment purposes. Unfortunately, not all the requirements and systems are aligned with international standards.
With a standard harmonized approach, the movement of cargo will be facilitated for both airlines and forwarders and unnecessary delays will be avoided at points controlled by customs authorities.
SAFE, the WCO Long-Term Solution
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is promoting its Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE) and many of its member states have signed letters of intent to implement it. As a result more countries will be requiring advance cargo information.
A long term solution will allow to:
IATA's Role to Facilitate Global Trade
IATA's objective is to provide a standard approach to comply with government regulations requiring the provision of cargo information.
There are still many outstanding issues to be addressed, which will lead to other changes in processes, resolutions, recommended practices, and technical specifications. IATA continues to lobby the governments on behalf of the industry, with a view to minimize and standardize advance cargo information requirements.
To develop a more proactive relationship with customs administrations, the Cargo Committee has established the Customs Advisory Group (CUSAG).
In order to have forwarders and airlines benefit from a common approach, CUSAG is also coordinating its efforts with the IATA/FIATA Customs Working Group (IFCWG) to identify standard recommendations for the industry.
Country Specific Information
Check here the current status of the national legislations and programs implemented in various countries or regions.
Australia
Canada
China
The policy of management manifests of export and import transportation for the People's Republic of China will take effect on January 1, 2009.
Dubai
The new electronic paperless declarations system means that goods can be cleared without the actual papers being handed in to Customs.
Ethiopia
The Ethiopian Customs Authority requires Cargo Manifest in XML format to be sent via FTP to their location.
Egypt
The Egyptian Customs Authority has issued a circular (No. 13 for the year 2011) informing about the activation of e-Customs in Egypt effective 1 July 2011.
European Union (EU)
As of 1 January 2011, the air cargo industry is expected to comply with new EU regulations. The transition period for the implementation of the EU Import and Export Control Systems - ICS and ECS was not extended. More information on EU
India
The Indian Directorate General of Systems Customs & Central Excise is about to require advance cargo information as of 1 July 2006. Read all about this initiative in Indian Customs and Excise Gateway.
Japan
Mexico
Nigeria
New Zealand
The Joint Border Management System (JBMS) programme is building a replacement information system to meet New Zealand’s future border management needs. The JBMS will be a set of integrated information technology products, owned and hosted by Customs and jointly operated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). More information on JBMS
The Trade Single Window (TSW) is one of the major components of the JBMS programme.
It will ultimately enable parties involved in international trade and transport to submit the craft and cargo clearance data that is required by New Zealand border agencies electronically, once, through one entry point. They will also be able to register themselves as users of the TSW, and maintain their own details. More information on TSW
The introduction of the Trade Single Window (TSW) means that organisations will need to submit lodgement messages that meet the WCO3 data model. See the draft set of message implementation guidelines.
South Africa
The South African Revenue Service Paperless Release Initiative deals with the electronic release of import and export goods declarations.
United States
In 2004, the United States Department of Homeland Security (Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was the first governmental body to require ACI. See the legislation posted in the Federal Register: PART 122 (Air Commerce Regulations), or for updates, visit US CBP website.
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