From the beginning of January 2024, the various structures of the Tunisian Customs will use the electronic customs reporting system as part of the management of customs procedures and the digitalization of customs work.
This application represents a new link in the digitalization of the customs procedure system, from the drafting of the report to the custody of seized goods, the submission of electronic transaction requests, the extraction of customs transaction decisions and the enforcement of court decisions in customs and foreign exchange matters, according to the Tunisian Customs.
The “PV douanier électronique” (e-customs report) application allows the automatic, real-time input of the data relating to the file into a computer application which, once the report has been issued, allows the extraction of the paper copy of the report corresponding to the data contained in the application.
The automation of data from customs penalty notices will also make it possible to use accurate and reliable data in the fight against various forms of customs and foreign exchange offences.
In coordination with the services of the National Informatics Center, the interconnection will be carried out with various partners, such as the services of the Ministry of Justice, the collection services, the services of the head of the state litigation department and the security services.
This will ensure stricter monitoring of customs and foreign exchange matters, thereby protecting the rights and resources of the Treasury.
Is digitalization a challenge for Tunisia’s customs?
In a previous statement to African Manager, the Director General of the National Customs School, Abdelhakim Labidi, said that digitalization is a major challenge for Tunisian customs, starting with the rehabilitation of the human element of customs, followed by the simplification and acceleration of procedures and technical and technological solutions.
He stressed that a secure economy can be achieved only through efficient institutions, adding that the work of the Customs is aimed at facilitating foreign trade and supporting the competitiveness of economic operators.
He considered that digitization today is not an option, but the right approach to keep up with the pace and reality of international trade, stressing that this digital system is an integrated system that promotes upstream trade up to the clearance of all goods.
It should be noted that the value of customs seizures until November 2023 amounted to 463 million dinars, for 13,800 customs cases, according to what was confirmed by the spokesman.
Jabri said in a recent statement to African Manager that the value of customs seizures for the current year has exceeded the figures for 2022, and that the seizures included ready-made clothes, tobacco as well as various types of narcotics, as more than 2 million narcotic products, more than 500 kilograms of cannabis and more than 30 kilograms of cocaine were seized in 2023.
He attributed the high value of the seizures to the efforts of customs officers assigned to land, air and sea border posts, as well as units operating in the interior of the country.
