International Customs Day & Week 2022

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2022 13 of data, as do other actors along the supply chain. The JCA, along with other modern customs admin- istrations operating worldwide, de- pends heavily on data analytics to support services required to access data and support decision-making. This data is essential and can be lev- eraged in numerous ways. It can be used to inform trade data statistics, local and foreign investment, donor funding, and local policy decisions, among other things. The data can also be used to help foster trans- parency, accountability, promote voluntary compliance and facilitate trade, through making key parts of this data and its analysis available to academia and the general public. Through the agency’s core val- ues, CAPIT (Customer-focused, Accountability, Professionalism, Integrity and Transparency), the JCA guides its interactions with stakeholders in relation to the de- livery of all services. The agency’s website, www.jacustoms.gov.jm , is a good example of the JCA’s com- mitment to owning these values. Information regarding customs operations, trade policy including tax treatment and free trade agree- ments, along with relevant customs current affairs is domiciled there, and can be accessed by the public. The digital transformation of the customs landscape is ongoing and will continue to adapt to the chang- ing global environment through establishing a strong ecosystem, embracing a data culture, and fos- tering collaboration among all cus- toms administrations. Once this is achieved, data will then become the global mother tongue that fos- ters greater cohesiveness between customs and all players along the international supply chain, enhanc- ing and building efficiency in inter- national trade. JCA’S ICT INITIATIVES – TRANSFORMING SERVICE DELIVERY The use of technological ad- vancements has and continues to improve efficiency within the JCA. Some of these advancements include: Returning Residents Application & Approval Services, Express Cargo Clearance Process (ECCP), Online Refund Applications and E-Payment. 1. Electronic Export Manifest – the Port Community System (PCS) is integrated with ASYCUDAWorld. The PCS is an electronic platform enabling the intelligent and secure exchange of information (such as cargomanifest) between stakehold- ers in the port community. The PCS is used to bridge the gap between stakeholders and JCA. 2. Returning Res idents Application and Approval Services- JCA has automated the application process for the granting of returning resident & returning students status and the accessing of related bene- fits. The new process now facilitates the use of an online application process for provisional approval, prior to the arrival of the return- ing resident or returning student once all requirements are satisfied. Individuals are no longer required to visit the offices of JCA for their application to be processed. 3. Express Clearance Process (ECP), for non-commercial cargo – Effective October 2018, import- ers can authorise Clearing Agents (Consolidators, Freight Forwarders or licensed Customs Brokers) to pre- pare, submit and pay for a Simplified Declaration (IMS4). The responsible Clearing Agents will now be allowed to complete the entire customs clearance formalities, including delivery of the cargo/goods to the consignee, upon request. Clearing Agents are encouraged to utilise the pre-payment/advance deposit account facility. 4. Online Refund Applications – Effective August 2020, all appli- cations for refunds are to be sub- mitted online on the JCA website. Importers are also being reminded that all applications must be made within two years after such an over- payment is made, as stipulated in Section 50 of the Customs Act. 5. E-Payment Facility – This en- ables both exporters and import- ers to pay duties and fees at their convenience from anywhere in the world. The preceding systems are just a few of the Agency’s initiatives that improved efficiency of opera- tions, increased transparency and accountability, provided cost sav- ings, revenue growth, improved em- ployees’ experience, and enhanced customer service experience. JCA’S FUTURE OUTLOOK Clients of the JCA can look for- ward to future projects such as the launch of a mobile app and online Auctions. This app will introduce more payment options, allow cus- tomers to track and trace their cargo and transaction, provide informa- tion on tariffs and duties, as well as provide general information about the JCA. This will provide a boost to the ease of doing business with the Agency and add value to the cus- tomer as well as an enhanced cus- tomer experience, further enabling the Agency to meet its mandates. The business process of auc- tioning at the Queen’s Warehouse, where the agency holds face-to- face auctions on overdue goods, will be moved online. The general public will have the opportunity to register and engage in competitive bidding and also make payments. In a bid to cement the Agency’s commitment to modernisation, service excellence and continuous improvement, the JCA is currently in the process of certifying all its procedures in accordance with the International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO) 9001:2015. With this certification, the JCA’s processes will become more har- monised, simplified, transparent and predictable. This will ultimately strengthen our stakeholder relation- ships and minimise the transaction costs for traders. The JCA is on a clear path to im- proving the lives of its stakeholders through digital innovation and re- mains committed to its mandates of trade facilitation, border protec- tion and revenue collection. At the centre of Customs processes is the human element, and as business processes continue to improve, the Agency commits to continuing to enhance customer service and op- timise its efficiency. – Contributed by the International and Industry Liaison Unit, JCA CUSTOMS WEEK Three members of the Jamaica Customs Agency were awarded for their outstanding customer service by the United States Embassy in October 2021. Devon Manahan, Director, Airport Operations; Melinda Gumbs, Supervisor, and Michael Wilson, Supervisor, Passenger Control, were each recognised by the Embassy during the handover exercise at the JCA’s Kingston Head-office. Representing the US Embassy were Hilde Pearson, Supervisory, General Services, and Karl Lohse, Assistant General Services Officer. Each year, the US Embassy recognises outstanding JCA employees who display exemplary service in the line of work. These awards underpin the Agency’s core values – customer-focused, accountability, professionalism, integrity and transparency. US Embassy awards JCA Employees