GIMOP 1(Customs Modernization Project) (1999-2003)
Exchange of information and data electronically has become one of the most important parts of international trade. The word “electronic” is put before all terms related electronic commerce, such as electronic invoice, electronic signature, electronic government and electronic customs etc.
Electronic customs briefly means customs clearance of goods with maximum rate and with minimum documentation in an electronic environment.
Recent increases in trade volume need for fast transportation and delivery of goods put pressure for change on customs offices which play a key role in international trade. Those customs offices which use conventional manual methods for customs transactions impose financial burden on country’s economy as well as pose a obstacle for international trade.
Undersecretariat of Customs took major steps towards reaching a modern Customs Administration and initiated “Customs Modernization Project” in 1996. The Project was introduced as sub-project of “Public Financial Management Project” financed by the World Bank and the first part of the Project was completed between 2000 and 2002.
During the customs automation part of the Project between May 2000 and October 2001, it was aimed to automate 55 customs offices; and in late 2002, totally 97% of customs procedures were automated in 62 customs offices.
On the other hand, Undersecretariat of Customs made progress in the field of e-Customs with the introduction of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) applications to facilitate trade and to support exporters and importers who are competing in world markets.
Traders can electronically submit their declarations from their own offices in UN/EDIFACT standards defined by United Nations through EDI application initiated in late 1999.
By means of EDI applications, the following can be ensured:
1. When the goods are entered into the customs zone the exporters and importers can submit their declarations quickly to customs administration; and the customs administration can control the customs declaration and, if necessary, the goods physically with minimum delay,
2. The customs declarations can be transferred to system of customs administration without re-entering data; and after calculated by the system, customs taxes and duties, can be easily controlled,
3. More realistic statistics can be produced,
4. Customs procedures can be simplified,
5. Number of company representatives who follow up work at customs offices is reduced and physical work load on customs staff is alleviated.
One of the objectives of e-Customs Project is also to take an initial step towards e-Government with the introduction of software called “Data Warehouse” including foreign trade statistics, anti-smuggling, valuation and tariff information in order to support decision-making processes of both customs and external decision-making authorities.
This software completed at the end of 2001 enables both central and regional customs offices to access required information quickly and ensures more efficient customs control.
The computerized application will make risk analysis methods and customs controls more effective.
Under the Project, the application of softwares for Vehicle Tracking and TIR Transit Tracking was introduced to track vehicles and TIRs to/from Turkey on-line.