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Completed
Europe
Moldova

Electronic Pre-Arrival System for Faster Customs Clearance

The Republic of Moldova expressed the need for faster electronic customs clearance. Thus, the project aimed to implement an electronic pre-arrival customs clearance system for express consignments. The model based on the successful German Alliance projects in Montenegro and Serbia.

BACKGROUND

Since its independence, Moldova has pursued the objective of integration in the world economy through trade policy reforms. In 2001 Moldova was among the first post-Soviet countries joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

In recent years, the Customs Service has undertaken a process of modernization in line with the requirements of the European Union. It is the objective to maximise efficiency in the customs clearance process. Moldova has achieved significant progress with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation. Nevertheless, continuing the modernisation process plays an important role for Moldova’s further economic development.

WHAT WE DID

The project was concluded in 2022. In 2023 the new system for Pre-Arrival Processing (PAP) of express consignments was integrated into the customs IT-system and tested. Customs currently works on a roadmap for the full roll-out with deployment by January 2024.

Project activities included:

  • Baseline assessment of Customs IT system
  • Specifying target model, developing new software module
  • Testing and pilot implementation
  • Developing IT system handbook for customs officers
  • Study visit to and exchange with Slovenian Customs Administration
  • Drafting recommendations for legal amendments, exchange with express operators to review practicality
  • Adoption of the legislative changes by relevant authorities

Moldova is currently setting-up a similar procedure for the pre-arrival processing (PAP) for postal consignments. They plan to go live with both solutions for express and postal shipments by the end of 2023.

Once the system is used in practice, it is expected to significantly reduce the release times for goods in category 1 and 2 . These categories include correspondence and documents as well as low-value consignments for which no duties and taxes are collected.

The direct data exchange between customs and the private sector will be enabled through a module of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) [1].

The project was jointly implemented by the bilateral project Economic Policy Advice to the Moldovan Government and the German Alliance for Trade Facilitation in cooperation with the private sector partner DHL Express under the develoPPP programme.

EXPECTED BENEFITS

  • The number of express shipments being released within one hour of their arrival are increased from current 11% to at least 65%
  • 95% of customs officers dealing with customs clearance benefit from the IT solution for customs pre-arrival clearance for performance of their tasks
  • Local and international logistic companies in Moldova benefit from improvement of the customs clearance process
  • Increased trust and collaboration between public and private partners

[1] ASYCUDA is an integrated customs management system for international trade and transport operations developed by the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Photo credits: ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com

Relation to the Trade Facilitation Agreement

This project contributes towards the implementation of the following article of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation:

  • Article 7.1: Release and Clearance of Goods: Pre-Arrival Processing
  • Article 7.8: Release and Clearance of Goods: Expedited Shipments

How to get involved

Do you work for a company with international supply chains? Please contact us if you would like to learn more about the project and the German Alliance.

LAURA DOMASCHKA

PROJECT MANAGER

Germany

laura.domaschka@giz.de

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