A risk based approach in order to improve trade facilitation and enhance its customs enforcement.

Abstract

The World Customs Organisation (WCO) predicted that the 21st century will bring with it major challenges. The former Commissioner of the United States Customs, Raymond, W, Kelly also remarked in the symposium for the America's 2000, a common dilemma for customs will be how to manage the "exploding volumes", of trade with declining or static resources. Globalisation has brought with it an influx of international trade. Production facilities being spread over different continents creating one virtual market place. This has brought about the need for increased Trade facilitation. Customs being the major role player in the supply chain process needs to provide efficient and effective release of cargo while at the same time ensure that it eradicates smuggling and protects its fiscal base. This responsibility that customs authorities are placed in makes it impossible to conduct high levels of physical interventions, as a result this has created a need for the use of a more strategic tool. The Risk Management Model is such a tool which if used effectively can provide value to Customs as well as the client's, it serves.