Overview

This handbook aims to make a positive contribution to the efforts that many countries are undertaking to modernize their customs administrations. The handbook views a competent and well-organized customs service as one that successfully balances its various responsibilities to ensure a high level of compliance with revenue objectives and regulatory requirements while at the same time intervening as little as possible in the legitimate movement of goods and people across borders.

The handbook recognizes that conditions differ greatly across countries, so that each customs administration will need to tailor its modernization efforts to national objectives, implementation capacities, and resource availability. Nevertheless, meeting the modernization objectives will most likely require the adoption of the core principles discussed in this handbook: adequate use of intelligence and reliance on risk management; optimal use of information and communications technology (ICT); effective partnership with the private sector, including programs to improve compliance; increased cooperation with other border control agencies; and transparency through information on laws, regulations, and administrative guidelines.

Success in customs modernization is, as importantly, tied to the overall trade policy environment. Simple, transparent, and harmonized trade policies reduce administrative complexities, facilitate transparency, and reduce the incentives and opportunities for rent-seeking and corruption. Customs modernization, therefore, also needs to be examined from the broader and complementary perspective of trade policy reform.

Improving Customs Processes Is Part of the Trade Facilitation Agenda

Trade facilitation measures need to complement trade liberalization if countries a...

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