Proceedings of the 14th Meeting of
The COMCEC Trade Working Group
30
Policy Advice 5: Developing integrated risk management systems to manage and facilitate
transit customs procedures
Governments need to set up integrated risks management systems between all border control agencies
involved both within a country and between neighbouring countries who are parties to regional
integration initiatives. This integrated risk assessment service would facilitate the decision-making
procedures. The risk for each transit movement can be estimated with precision, and the decision
would be dependent on this risk. This way, the exercise of discretionary powers by customs officers
and agencies would be minimized. Furthermore, the transit operations need to be included in the
Customs Risk Management framework.
Policy Advice 6: Ensuring a well-coordinated border management through enhancing
cooperation among different border control agencies and with the neighboring countries as well
as assigning a national transit coordinator.
There is a need to foster mutual cooperation between customs administrations and other relevant
government agencies responsible for border controls and procedures related to the transit of goods.
An adequate organizational scheme of the customs authorities at all levels is needed to ensure effective
allocation of the necessary human and technical resources for the transit system.
Border agencies should also cooperate with neighbouring countries to coordinate procedures at border
crossings and facilitate transit operations. Therefore, governments are encouraged to coordinate transit
operation activities between different border control agencies.
Governments can also appoint a national transit coordinator to steer all inquiries and proposals from
other countries related to the good functioning of transit operations.
Policy Advice 7: Developing necessary mechanisms (i.e. a Customs-Business Partnership
programme) for promoting partnership with private sector while designing policies and
procedures related to transit.
When governments design, modify and review policies and procedures on transit, they need to take
into consideration to provide micro, small, medium-sized, or similar operators with enough
opportunity to reflect their views on the policies and procedures. The private sector should have
sufficient opportunity and time to comment on the proposed regulations related to the movement of
goods in transit.
Therefore, Customs Administrations are encouraged to develop a Customs-Business Partnership
programme to improve the effectiveness of transit in accordance with the WCO Customs-Business
Partnership Guidance. It is also recommended for governments to develop mechanisms/procedures to
review and appeal against administrative decisions related to transit.
Instruments to Realize the Policy Advices:
- COMCEC Trade Working Group: In its subsequent meetings, the Working Group may elaborate
on the above-mentioned policy areas in a more detailed manner.
- COMCEC Project Funding: Under the COMCEC Project Funding, the COMCEC Coordination
Office calls for project proposals each year. With the COMCEC Project Funding, the Member
Countries participating in the Working Groups can submit multilateral cooperation projects to be