GACAG seeks e-customs filing, acceptance of Kyoto paperless accords

THE Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) is urging members of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to implement Revised Kyoto Convention principles and shift from a dependency on paper documents to a full e-customs environment.

WCO secretary general Kunio Mikuriya agreed harmonisation of global customs procedures would play a pivotal role in establishing e-customs platforms.

At a minimum, GACAG has highlighted processes that should be accomplished through electronic means: export and import goods declarations to customs provided by exporters, importers and/or their forwarders or customs brokers; export, import and transit cargo declarations sent to customs by airlines; release of shipments into free circulation following completion of customs formalities; record keeping and archiving for all participating parties.

"Harmonised customs procedures facilitate air cargo and benefit all involved in global trade. Harmonised customs promote international trade. Air cargo already transports goods worth in excess of US$5 trillion, representing roughly one-third of global international trade," said GACAG chairman Michael Steen.

"Specifically, GACAG urges WCO members to embrace and implement the principles of the Revised Kyoto Convention and to shift from a dependency on paper to an e-customs environment, which will stimulate economic development, remove inefficiencies and lead to much-needed productivity gains."

In its recommendations, GACAG says it also believes that customs should require supporting documents only on an exceptional basis for examination purposes and authorities should accept printouts of electronic records. These would include air waybills, house waybills and manifests as well as transport documents exchanged between forwarders and airlines and all key commercial documents, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, hazardous materials documentation and certificates of origin.

Data transmission requirements should also not be duplicated between different programmes, the GACAG said, adding that it is calling on authorities to ensure that all proprietary data is kept confidential. These e-customs procedures should be accomplished through the harmonised implementation of relevant WCO instruments, notably the Data Model, the Framework of Standards To Secure And Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE), the Unique Conference Reference (UCR) and the Global Networked Customs (GNC) Initiative.