Customs
26 January 2006
Durban â The SARS today outlined a series of initiatives to improve the
capability of its customs and border control operations.
These measures are a response to the Framework of Standards for customs
administrations which the World Customs Organisation (WCO) adopted as policy
for member states in June last year. South Africa is one of 169 member states
of the WCO â the controlling body of international trade.
The Framework of Standards sets out rules for increasing co-operation
between customs administrations and the private sector.
About International Customs Day
The international customs community celebrates International Customs Day on
26 January every year. This date marks the anniversary of the First Session of
the Customs Co-operation Council, which took place on 26 January 1952. The
Customs Co-operation Council is now known as the World Customs Organisation
(WCO) and represents the interests of 169 customs administrations. South
Africa, through SARS Commissioner Pravin Gordhan, chairs the WCO for the fifth
term.
The 169 WCO member states jointly administer 99% of global trade. The WCOâs
main objective is to facilitate international trade whilst enhancing the
enforcement capacity of its members by standardising and harmonising customs
procedures. The WCO also facilitates international trade and provides technical
assistance to improve the enforcement capacity of member states.
South Africa has a particular legacy of historical neglect in customs
operations. Since the inception of SARS in 1997, the organisationâs
transformation process sought to raise the profile and enhance the capacity of
customs operations. In order to further improve the capacity of customs and to
respond to the WCO Framework of Standards, SARS has undertaken the following
priorities for 2006:
* Improve detection capability:
* A new Customs Border control unit will be created with the deployment of the
first 100 customs officers during the first half of this year. This unit will
investigate serious customs offences
* A Customs Cadet programme will be introduced with the first intake expected
by later this year
* State-of-the-art scanners are in the process of being procured and the first
scanner will be operational at the port of Durban by July 2006. During the
following 36 months 18 more scanners will be deployed at all major ports in
South Africa
* The feasibility of a detector dog unit will also be examined this year.
SARS will also improve its surveillance capability with new customs control
vehicles that will be introduced between April and June 2006. This will be
complemented by the further implementing information technology (IT) solutions
including Global positioning system (GPS) tracking, smart seals, ionizer and
radiation detection equipment
These interventions are both important and necessary for SARS to fulfil its
mandate to safeguard South Africaâs border and facilitate trade. A joint
compliance and public awareness campaign by SARS and the Consumer Goods Council
of South Africa since the end of last year demonstrated the harmful effect
negative economic activity has on South African business and consumers.
Some associated risks include the destructive impact on job creation, losses
in revenue to the fiscus and ultimately consumers who are exposed to illicit or
sub-standard products in the confectionary, tobacco and alcohol industries.
These activities directly challenge the ability of SARS Customs to detect,
deter, investigate and ultimately prosecute individuals and parties responsible
for illicit activity.
Enquiries:
Adrian Lackay
SARS Communications
Cell: 083 388 2580
Issued by: South African Revenue Services
26 January 2006
