world

Perspective on Risk Management Systems for Customs Administrations

Read what CEO and Founder Chris Thibedeau has to say about data, analytics and frameworks that are crucial for the strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making by officers at the border.

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“As a vendor who designs and deploys border processing systems, we have seen many Customs and border administrations make significant investments towards optimizing and modernizing their border processing capabilities and methodologies in an effort to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced international trade environment.”

“Some administrations build, for example, Single Window environments with automated control mechanisms for licences, permits, certificates and other documentation (LPCO) required by other government agencies (OGAs). But while this can help reduce release times and promote trade facilitation, the other key variable involves the introduction of an effective risk management regime.”

SELECTIVITY IS KEY

“The landscape of risk management technology solutions for Customs administrations varies widely. In some instances, we find smaller economies and lower GDP nations not using risk-based decision making at the border”…(read more)

TTEK Delivers Risk Management Workshop to Trinidad & Tobago Customs

TTEK Delivers Risk Management Workshop to Trinidad & Tobago Customs

In line with the development and delivery of a Risk Management System for Customs and OGAs under the Strengthening of the Trinidad and Tobago Electronic Single Window, On November 7-8, TTEK delivered a comprehensive 2-day Customs focused risk management workshop, designed exclusively for Customs practitioners.

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 3: A Functional Comparison of the WCO CTS With Best Practices for Targeting and Selectivity

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 3: A Functional Comparison of the WCO CTS With Best Practices for Targeting and Selectivity

The WCO professes the CTS to be a complete, efficient, and effective solution.  Based on this scorecard I’d say that’s a bit of an exaggeration and taken from the UNCTAD ASYCUDA Playbook discussed in Part 1 of the WCO CTS Myth.

They further describe it as user-friendly, simple, powerful, affordable, and sustainable.  They say everything is required to implement and sustain an effective cargo manifest risk assessment solution.  Like a technology vendor, they state they will provide the hardware, data assistance, training, support, maintenance.  The WCO is suddenly discovering that software development can be difficult.  As one example, they’ve only obtained 40% of the cargo data in some countries.  That goes a long way from the full visibility needed at the border.  (Maybe goods aren’t being smuggled in the other 60%?) ....

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 2: A Closer Look at the Pros and Cons of an IGO Targeting System

The WCO CTS Myth – Part 2: A Closer Look at the Pros and Cons of an IGO Targeting System

A good discussion followed Part 1 of The WCO CTS Myth.  Access the PART 1 blog here.  Part 2 will focus on the functions and integration methodology for the system. It sounds like the WCO thinks it is doing the right thing by building an entry level targeting system for it’s members who want one. There’s nothing overly nefarious here.  The problem is, it puts the WCO in direct competition with the technology vendors....

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Why Trade Facilitation Needs a U.N. based Open Source Solution (By David Hamilton)

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Why Trade Facilitation Needs a U.N. based Open Source Solution (By David Hamilton)

David Hamilton is an International Trade Facilitation Consultant at Xalgorithms Foundation.  His latest blog provides interesting insight and compares closed and open source source options for UN developed Trade systems such as ASYCUDA World.  Right now the current closed source method limits the level of participation in designing solutions ultimately meant to provide access.   How can we foster this change?

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The Special Advice Jack Ma Can Give UNCTAD...

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The Special Advice Jack Ma Can Give UNCTAD...

Alibaba’s Jack Ma was named UNCTAD’s Special Adviser on trade this week.  Mr. Ma was quoted as follows; "It is an honor to serve as UNCTAD’s Special Adviser on Youth Entrepreneurship and Small Business," said Mr. Ma. "I have spent my career working with entrepreneurs and know the positive social and economic impact when people are given the opportunity to participate in the global economy."

Mr. Ma, we have a problem.  UNCTAD is actually preventing my fellow entrepreneurs, start-ups, and technology firms (who build solutions for border processing and trade facilitation) from the opportunity to participate.  In short, they have created a barrier to market entry.  The playing field is not level.