Web-based single customs window to link 40 agencies

KATHMANDU, July 1:

Italian Contractor of the Melamchi water supply project, CMC Cooperativa Muratorie Cementisti di Ravenna, brought heavy construction equipment which got stuck for more than three months at Birgunj customs. The customs officials gave clearance for the equipment only after some initiative was taken by the higher levels of the bureaucracy.

The Upper Tamakoshi hydel project also faced a similar problem while bringing in an excavator for its tunnelling work.

Importers and exporters are faring no better at customs points. Given the manual system in use at the Department of Customs (DoC), each and every customs clearance operation is hectic and bothersome.

But not to worry. You no longer need to visit at least some of the government bodies and private firms with bundles of papers in hand.

DoC has announced it is to develop a web-based single window system that will enable people to make their queries and complaints to and seek information from DoC along with 40 other government and private-sector agencies.

According to DoC, different stakeholders including DoC itself, Nepal Rastra Bank, other banks, the Inland Revenue Department, Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Department of Livestock Services, Food and Animal Quarantine, the Freight Forwarders Association, port authorities, insurance companies, and shipping agents will be linked on the web-based channel.

“The system will operate 24 hours a day and allow the submission of standardized trade, transport and transit-related documents through a single entry point to fulfill all import, export and regulatory requirements”, Director General of DoC Surya Prasad Acharya told Republica, adding, “There will be interface and integration between the line ministries, government agencies and private sector stakeholders following implementation of the proposed system, which will also provide information and a grievances entry facility to stakeholders,” Acharya added.

DoC had introduced an Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) back in 1986, and now it has linked all 31 different customs points with the web-based system. ASYCUDA was developed for tapping real-time data at different customs points. “After accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2004, the government has been prioritizing customs reforms to make things compatible with the global trade regime,” Acharya said.

The web-based system is expected to reduce customs clearance time and logistics costs, discourage non-filers of taxes, discourage sub-standard imports, control revenue-leakages, facilitate real time deposit of customs revenue in banks, and make life easier for genuine traders by providing a much more convenient and user-friendly clearance environment. “DoC can promptly address the grievances of stakeholders,” according to Acharya. “The manual system is consuming more time and we are being blamed for ineffective delivery, but that will be end soon with the advent of an efficient paperless environment.” Implementation of the single-window system will be initiated by September.

Source: Republica