The Tunisian Customs Service is working to modernize the sector, based on the continuation of digitization work and the development of the customs services platform.
Strengthening the digital platform will allow Customs to be connected to the information systems of the various ministries and government institutions involved in issuing licenses and administrative certificates for export and import operations.
In this vein, spokesman for the Customs Department, Colonel Chokri Jebri, announced on Mosaïque fm that the digitization of customs services will be generalized by 2025 in order to offer better services to the public.
He pointed out that the customs service is moving towards the generalization of the electronic payment system and the introduction of a new computerized procedure aimed at saving time and guaranteeing better service conditions for customs declarations for the import of goods.
He also mentioned the introduction of the “electronic report” as part of the digitalization of transactions.
On another level, he pointed out that the 2025 Finance Act does not provide for customs exemptions for citizens abroad, with the exception of the import of medicines for the Central Pharmacy.
With regard to customs tariffs for the import of goods, Colonel Chokri Jebri explained that the procedures are applied in accordance with the legislation set by the state in the Finance Law, which was drafted with the participation of several components of the state.
He also denied rumors of ‘corruption by customs officers’, saying: ‘We have control rooms, an e-mail service and free telephone lines for complaints. However, we have not received any reports or complaints of corruption’.
Qualitative operations by Tunisian customs
Tunisian customs continue to carry out qualitative operations throughout the country.
On the coast of Monastir, a patrol seized narcotics, statues and stones suspected of being archaeological remains, and cigarettes suspected of containing narcotics.
Customs maritime brigades in Sousse, Mahdia and La Goulette seized quantities of narcotics, electronic cigarettes, archaeological artifacts and precious stones with a total value of more than 20 million dinars, the Directorate General of Customs (DGD) said.
It added in a press release that the customs maritime brigade at La Goulette seized a large quantity of smuggled electronic cigarettes on board a ship.
The suspect admitted that he was smuggling electronic cigarettes on behalf of a person living in the Sahel region.
The value of the seized goods is estimated at 272,000 dinars, according to the same source.
In Mahdia, the maritime customs brigade seized quantities of bluefin tuna of foreign origin with a total value of more than 10 million dinars.
In Sousse, the maritime customs brigade seized fishing engines and underwater diving equipment worth a total of 72,000 dinars (…).
After consultation, the public prosecutor ordered a further inspection at Monastir airport, where customs seized 11.4 kg of cannabis, 20 archaeological objects and a number of precious stones, according to the same source.
