Customs has conventionally been responsible for executing a broad range of border management strategies, often on behalf of other government agencies. For ages, the customs role has been one of 'gatekeeper,' with customs authorities in place of a barrier through which global trade should pass, to protect the welfares of the nation. The quintessence of this role is replicated in the traditional customs symbol, the portcullis that is a symbolic representation of a country's ports. Such a role is every so often manifested by supervisory intervention in business transactions simply for the sake of response.
Imposts have the ability to do so, and no one is keen to question that authority. The character of Customs has, on the other hand, changed considerably in recent times, and what might represent core business for one management may fall outside the compass of responsibility of another. This is reflective of the changing environment in which customs establishments operate, and the conforming changes in government primaries. In this day and age, nevertheless, social expectations no longer accept the idea of intervention for intervention's sake. Rather, the present catch-cry is 'intervention by exception,' that is, interference when there is a legitimate have to do so; response grounded on identified risk.
Changing Expectations of the Global Trading Community
The changing expectations of the global trading community are centered on the economic realism of its operating setting. It is looking for the simplest, fastest, cheapest and most dependable way of getting goods into and out of the nation. It seeks inevitability, clarity, flexibility, and timeliness in its transactions with government. Driven by business imperatives, it is also eyeing for the most cost- effective techniques of doing business.
This is why trade simplification agenda is gaining increasing impetus, according to World Customs Organization (WCO) Revised International Convention on the simplification as well as harmonization of customs procedures, and is intended to maintain the
significance of customs brokerage at a time when technical developments is transforming the world of international trade by:
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Eliminating divergence amid the customs procedures and practices of constricting parties that can hamper global trade and other worldwide exchanges
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Meeting the requirements of both international trade and customs establishments for facilitation, simplification, and coordination of customs measures and practices
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Ensuring appropriate principles of customs control allowing customs authorities to respond to fundamental changes in commercial and administrative approaches and techniques
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Ensuring that the core philosophies for simplification and harmonization are made compulsory on contracting parties
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Providing customs authorities with well-organized procedures, supported by suitable and efficient control methods
