The Foundation for International Development Studies and Research has published a The author begins by analysing the potential specific benefits of GAI for Customs administrations: machine translation, creation of computer code for data analysis, uniformity and correctness of administrative language, content creation, assistance in drafting policy documents and assistance in f...
Korea Customs Service (KCS) has introduced a range of measures since early 2010 to respond to a growing number of imports and exports generated by online sales and purchases by both businesses and individuals, given the strong upward trend in cross-border e-commerce.
KCS previously describ...
Strengthening data capture through blockchain
At the moment, assessing risk presents some constraints, given the low quality of data available. One way to strengthen the risk management system would be to obtain the data, including the va...
Through the use of AI analytics, Bahamas has identified over 115 million USD in evaded revenue since 2020, while simultaneously modernizing its revenue collection management capabilities.
In 2020, Bahamas Customs began seeking solutions to help iden...
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How the Solution Works
The technology selected by Bahamas is deployed as a service under a subscription license. Called the “Risk Assessment Screening Service (RASS)”, the solution uses a combination of deduc...
Back in June 2016, we wrote in the pages of this very magazine that “automatic detection tools, commonly known by the acronym ATR, which means automatic th...
Non-intrusive inspection (NII) systems are helpful; however, any system is only as effective as the human who operates it. Operators must be well-trained, sufficient in number and accustomed to the many different shapes and forms of wildlife items.
In our “Pushing Boundaries” vision, we described our “dot” on the horizon, a helpful focal point when dealing with challenges we are, and will be, confronted with. The most prominent one is how to cope with a rising number of declarations and, consequently, a growing need for inspections....
ACXIS
One objective was to develop an automated support system for image analysts. Participants worked in their respective areas of competence to deliver the various components required to create such a system. Some work...
The General Administration of China Customs (hereinafter GACC) has been using large-scale non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment to control containers and vehicles since 1991, which makes it among the first Customs administrations in the world to leverage such a technology. In 2014, faced with ...
Outcome of intensive efforts
These impressive results are the fruit of intensive efforts and of efficient collaboration between the GACC and the regional offices.
In the early stages, GACC conducted algorithm trai...
There are many suppliers of analytical tools that Customs can call on to enhance its risk assessment capabilities. Some propose to use selectivity models and specialized databases to analyse the transactions that Customs has to ensure are compliant.
It is advisable, however, to carry out a...
Although we had the infrastructure and technical expertise to provide this service, we still needed three key elements:
Customs authorities are showing a growing interest in adopting artificial intelligence (AI), the broad category of science that entails simulating human thinking capability and behaviour. As stated in a joint paper published by the World Customs Organization, (WCO) and the World Trade Organizatio...
Streamlining en-route processes
For seaborne containers, such automatic detection offers opportunities in transforming Customs inspection into a streamlined en-route process, significantly increasing inspection rates with...
The landscape formed by IT Customs systems in Brazil has undergone significant transformation in recent years, redefining how the Customs Administration manages and mitigates risks. Through the innovative use of artificial intelligence, including machine learni...
Together, these solutions swiftly propelled the modernization of Brazil’s Customs control procedures, marking a pivotal step forward in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. These tools have all evolved to become essential in shaping the way Brazil handles Customs operations.
ANIITA an...
Helping well-intentioned users
SISAM was designed to detect errors in classification codes, not to assist well-intentioned importers and exporters in classifying goods. For that purpose, a new system called CLASSIF
Improving workplace productivity and helping people get their jobs done efficiently is critical for Customs administrations that have to deal with an increase in the number of cross-border movements, be it cargo or people. With a forecasted growth in trade and travel being driven by EXPO 2... The system acts like a tiny coach sitting on a manager’s shoulder throughout the day. And every now and then, the coach whispers something like, “this person did something great recently,” or “this process could be improved.” The Productivity Engine produces a productivity score ...
Dubai Customs uses artificial intelligence to boost productivity
Trade operators required to classify their goods in the Unified Customs Tariff of countries belonging to the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) now have a helpful application (app) at their disposal. The app, called Al Munasiq (The Harmonizer), enables the...
Based on machine learning, which is the development of algorithms that learn from experience, the app compares the photo/picture received with those in its library. The Google Cloud Vision API was used to integrate vision detection features within the application, including image labelling. The o...
In 2022, the WCO and its Members identified “Technology and Innovation” as one of the three focus areas of the WCO Strategic Plan 2022-2025. For the past few years, China Customs has been implementing the concept of “Smart Customs, Smart Borders and Smart Connectivity”, which established ...
Constructing a unified database
China Customs has comprehensively collected multi-source data and formed a data lake with over 15,000 data tables and more than 260 billion data entries in a local centralized manner.
...The principle of the model construction is as follows:
Increasing the efficiency of transportation is key to reducing the impact of trade operations on the environment. To achieve significant results, Customs, border agencies, traders and logistics operators must digitalize their processes and share relevant data. Howe...
Working with industry leaders such as DHL, DPD, Cosco and Kuehne + Nagel, as well as with Customs administrations and other public authorities, MJC2 has developed new AI-driven algorithms and optimization solutions, which address areas such as real-time logistics planning, manufacturin...
Ensuring the enforcement of a national strategic trade control (STC) system is a key requirement for all Customs administrations. Strategic goods comprise weapons of mass destruction (WMD), conventional weapons, and the materials, technology and equipment that may be used in their development or ...
In the United States, for example, the Department of Commerce uses identifiers called export control classification numbers (ECCNs) to categorize items that are subject to export control regulations. These ECCNs predominantly contain strategic goods. US Customs and Border Protection uses the Harm...
One of the main topics of discussion during the 2019 WCO Conference on the Future Direction of the Harmonized System (HS) was HS complexity. Concern was expressed about the difficulty of HS classification especially for small and medium-sized enterprises that are being granted the opportunity to ...
Keyword search tools
The most ubiquitous of the technologies used to power classification assistance tools use keyword search operators. You’ll find these tools in one form or another in Customs management systems, elec...
This article gives a snapshot of the evolution of risk management within Armenia Customs. It looks in particular into the analytical tools developed to strengthen anti-counterfeiting enforcement.
The implementation of a risk management tool to manage ...
Flexibility and continuous improvements
The tool built is flexible and undergoes continuous development and expansion. Like other automated systems, it collects, organizes and categorizes data from various IT systems on t...
At the Georgian Cyber Security and IT Innovation Conference held in 2019, the IPR module developed by the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia won the prize for “Best Online Information Resource”. During the event, the State Revenue Committee was also awarded “The Best IT Mana...
In a world where international trade is the lifeblood of economies, ensuring the smooth flow of goods across borders while maintaining rigorous controls is a challenging balancing act. Dubai, one of the world’s busiest trade hubs, is meeting this challenge he...
Cross Border E-commerce platform
The Government, guided by its strategic vision to establish Dubai as a global e-commerce hub and reduce the cost associated with e-commerce operations, is committed to ach...
Harnessing the Data Revolution
Global digitalization is leading to an exponential increase in the volume and production of data, which, in turn, is matched by a growing demand for data from all parts of society. This phen...
Examples
The following example shows an import transaction analysis using one-dimensional data:
Transaction: Consignment X is sent to importer Y by shipper Z with a value of $m and a weight of N.<...
Selecting cargo for inspections and examinations using basic methods has limitations, so, to enhance their enforcement capability, Customs administrations need a paradigm shift in the way they deal with targeting. They need to leverage data science, an interdiscipl...
The architecture’s robustness is underpinned by its ability to combine multiple advanced data science components with human intelligence. It enables Indian Customs to integrate multiple data sources, generate meaningful insights and utilize targets derived from both data science and human exper...
The recent changes in trade compliance has created a need for better tools that allow enterprises to abide by international laws and regulations. Artificial intelligence has become one of the most important pieces of this puzzle. Used for broad tasks such as mapping supply chains down to classify...
These are insufficient tools being used to solve complex problems. A value chain encompasses the entire lifecycle of a product, from the raw materials to the assembly, to the sales and shipping – and it includes aspects of finance, logistics, marketing and legal. Compliance profess...
Machine learning, i.e. the process of teaching a computer system how to make accurate predictions when fed data, can help Customs administrations to identify revenue fraud or other illegal activities. In this article, TTEK, a technology solutions firm, explains how...
At the time of writing, there are 164 countries that are members of the WTO; the most recent addition being Afghanistan in July 2016. In addition, several other countries have chosen voluntarily to adopt the Agreement as the basis for determining Customs value. To meet the terms of their internat...
There are many discussions about the efficiency of classification assistance tools. In this article, we argue that an AI-based tool, if well-built and properly used, can support classification experts, enabling them to focus their attention on unusual and difficult...
Firms that use AI extensively throughout their operations perform at a higher level than those that do not, and they seem to be aware of it, with 73% of businesses stating that AI is critical to their success.[1] However, even though nearly three out of four o...
In 1993, the Department of Federal Revenue of Brazil (RFB), which has under its umbrella both the Customs service and the internal revenue service, launched Brazil’s Integrated International Trade System (Siscomex) as part of its efforts to implement computer-based procedures and controls. The ...
Machine learning
The artificial intelligence (AI) tool is called SISAM, a Portuguese acronym for “Customs Selection System through Machine Learning” in English. This computerized tool has been in use since August 2014...
Threats to the security and general well-being of people all over the world are increasing. Given the internationalization of today’s supply chains, countering many of these threats requires governments to rigorously control trade operations at import, export and transit. One recurring issue is...
About Muon Tomography
As in other sectors, the logistics sector has benefited from digitization in recent years, allowing a smoother flow of goods across the globe. These advancements have promised, and to some extent also delivered, efficiency and convenience. However, a more ‘inconv...
A peculiar workflow that’s difficult to correct
While interacting with Customs brokers or Customs department staff within a company, I often observed this peculiar workflow: it involves the printing of information that was digitally available at som...
On the horizon is Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), a paradigm that takes AI a step further. Here, Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms, including Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, come into play, elevating the understanding of context and meaning within documents to a new l...