NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 4 ‘CUSTOMS ENGAGING traditional and New Partners with Purpose’ is the theme for International Customs Day (ICD) 2024. The theme serves to highlight key areas of focus for members of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), and firmly sets their sights on meeting the demands of the current environment by reassessing their engagement strategies with existing and potential partners. This includes making adjustments where necessary, deepening and expanding existing partnerships, forging new alliances and pivoting to meet the needs of Customs in the 21st century. The universal importance of Customs becomes especially evident when examined through the lens of their role in national development. Worldwide, Customs plays a pivotal role in their country’s development, through facilitating legitimate trade, protection of their borders and society and collecting revenue due. The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) currently collects approximately 38 per cent of Jamaica’s revenue, serving as a linchpin and key enabler in achieving the objectives of the government. Under the auspice of this year’s theme, the WCO has outlined six (6) key calls to action, forming a roadmap for Customs to follow, as new challenges such as rapid advances in technology, environmental and health crises and complex geopolitical shifts coalesce to create an ever-shifting dynamic to keep abreast of. The calls to action include enhancing engagement with traditional partners; forging new partnerships; collaborating with purpose; increasing diversity and inclusivity in engagements; assessing impact and adjusting strategies; and leveraging technology and data. These key cross-cutting areas are all areas that the JCA has placed strategic focus on, and will continue to do so, as the Agency keeps making strides in achieving its objective of being a leading, modern Customs administration. Here’s a look at some of the key initiatives designed to keep our stakeholders in focus, while achieving the objectives of the Agency. ENHANCING TRADITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY The JCA, acknowledging the impact that deliberate engagement can have on building awareness, fostering compliance and facilitating legitimate trade, has historically engaged with traditional partners, through various initiatives and modalities that have evolved over time to suit the current environment. Typically, these partners include traders, customs brokers, freight forwarders, couriers, and other border regulatory agencies. While there is no denying the importance of human interaction, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) has featured strongly in how and when the Agency interacts with our stakeholders. These engagements have facilitated a smooth flow of information between the Agency and key stakeholders, while providing a robust feedback mechanism, thus allowing these relationships to flourish. Some of these ICT-related initiatives include: CONTACTLESS CLEARANCE Traditionally clients would be required to go to the port to effect clearance of their barrels and other less than container load (LCL) shipments. This resulted in persistent and frequent complaints about long wait times, congestion, and the complexity of the process. The JCA heard the cries of our clients and developed and implemented “Contactless Clearance” as one of the solutions. This solution allows the clearance of non-commercial LCL shipments without the presence of the importer. This has meant a simpler, hassle-free process for our clients clearing specified types of shipments and eliminates the need for them to be present at the port. It also means greater efficiencies for the JCA, as declarations can be processed in a more uniform and timely manner, thus helping to alleviate backlog. JACUSTOMS CONNECT (JCA MOBILE APP) The JCA’s Mobile App has been developed to facilitate ease of process and information flow from Customs to our clients and vice versa. It facilitates their interaction with Customs in one easy-to-use App, with features such as the Duty Estimator and Track and Trace which provide real time information about their shipments. It also facilitates real-time online payment, taking out the guess work and helping to demystify Customs processes. ELECTRONIC PASSENGER DECLARATION (C5) The JCA and the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA) have collaborated to develop and implement the Electronic Passenger Declaration, eliminating its paper-based predecessor. There is no longer a need to fill out paper forms, simply complete your passenger declaration form (C5) online at enterjamaica.com, for a faster, smoother and more transparent process. BODY-WORN CAMERAS In a nod to the benefits of technology and the need to have accurate recordings of the Agency’s transactions with our clients, the JCA has introduced the use of bodyworn cameras by Customs officers on the ports and some officers in the Border Protection Unit. The initiative is expected to provide a more accurate record of the encounter with our stakeholders, increase transparency and improve the quality of evidence collected. Mrs Velma Ricketts Walker, CEO/ Commissioner, in underscoring the benefits of the use of body-worn cameras, has noted they will allow the Agency to“fully embrace greater accountability and transparency in our operations, interactions and engagements with our importing and exporting public, as well as our passengers,” thereby helping to build public trust. AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMS DATA (ASYCUDA WORLD) ASYCUDA is the JCA’s automated system for Customs data which allows traders and/or their authorised agents to submit import and export declarations, manifests and pay online. While it is not a new initiative, the agency continues to maintain and expand our functionalities to meet the needs of both internal and external clients. JAMAICA SINGLE WINDOW FOR TRADE (JSWIFT) JSWIFT is an electronic platform (web-based portal), which allows traders to submit transactional information through a single access point. It provides support for regulatory requirements for cross border trade in Jamaica, allowing for the electronic application for licences, permits, certificates and other regulatory requirements and their processing by the relevant cross-border JAMAICA CUSTOMS: ‘ENGAGING TRADITIONAL AND NEW PARTNERS WITH PURPOSE’ INT’L CUSTOMS DAY & CUSTOMS WEEK 2024 FEATURE
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