The World Customs Organization (WCO) with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF Japan) conducted a 4-day ‘National Workshop on ICT in Customs procedures and AEO Programme’ from 13 to 16 August 2018 in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. Over 100 participants from various divisions of Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) including several high-ranking officials (Directors General) and stakeholders attended the workshop.
Based on the current national situation, the WCO provided detailed information and explanations on the enhanced use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Customs and border procedures in close coordination with all relevant stakeholders for enhancing trade facilitation and improving controls. Related WCO instruments and tools, best practices, and case studies were also provided. Additionally, participants deepened their knowledge on the SAFE Framework of Standards 2018 edition, AEO Programme and associated tools including the recently developed comprehensive list of AEO benefits, AEO Validator Guide, MRA Strategy Guide, and Guidelines on Trader Identification Number (TIN).
The IRICA has established the Integrated Comprehensive Customs Clearance System (ICCS) aiming at speeding Customs clearance. They have also launched a Single Window for foreign trade, involving over 20 other government agencies. Going forward, specific use cases of ICT including the use of mobile applications and emerging technologies like cloud and blockchains were identified for their implementation along with associated benefits, challenges and potential solutions using WCO tools and other Members’ best practices. The workshop also explored opportunities for enhancing Single Window with the addition of more government agencies and electronic-services, as well as making it interoperable with Single Windows of partner counties for the exchange of information including e-country of origin (COO) and e-phytosanitary certificates.
Concerning AEO programme, the participants, facilitated by the WCO expert, investigated potential opportunities for the consolidation of their AEO programme by strengthening and aligning the criteria and requirements with the SAFE Framework of Standards, adding operator-wise benefits and their efficient implementation, improving AEO risk mapping and validation process, and initiating MRA process with a few identified partner countries having AEO programmes.
The Workshop was very well received by participants that led to very extensive and robust discussions. Participants acquired an enhanced understanding of issues relating to Digital Customs as well as relevant WCO instruments and tools in terms of their effective and harmonized implementation at the national/regional level. They also learned how AEO Programme could be further consolidated and standardized in line with the SAFE Framework of Standards and associated advantages including MRAs. Furthermore, participants had an opportunity to learn the best global practices that will help them in benchmarking their ICT and AEO programmes and move further forward. The WCO will continue to provide all necessary support, as may be required by IRICA in these areas.