Facilitating Trade:
Improving Customs Risk Management Systems
In the OIC Member States
54
exchange of information between the units in KC LE was paper or e-mail based in an unsecured
manner. There was a barrier for sharing the data; operational information and data on persons,
companies, transport means and seizures were limited and obsolete, MS Access data layers were
separate for each unit within the LE. Identical or similar bits of information were stored in
different systems; search and analysis of data were very limited. Accuracy and quality of data
were poor, limited to text fields, nearly impossible to link information, intelligence, cases, and
entities. The RAU had a paper-based system to document the risk profiles and indicators. With
the implementation of the LES at the beginning of 2017 (financed by the EU), the KC can now
exchange data with agencies in Kosovo, and, through official channels, with international
organization and agencies. The exchange of data is automated and requires human
interaction/approval (dissemination of intelligence) only in some instances. The KC has the
authority to exchange risk indicators/information/intelligence with national and international
LE agencies, other Customs Administrations and regional and international organizations. The
LE IT is an agency-wide Information Technology System that provides collection, storage,
maintenance, handling, archiving, and viewing of information, records, documents, or files about
Law Enforcement Operations. The implementation of LE IT in KC is improving the TF, allowing
further enhancement and supplementing routine controls. It also enhances the allocation of
resources – human and technology.
The LE IT allows the CRM to focus on serious, organized smuggling and crime, to provide a
flexible response, and to support the KC communication with National and International
Authorities. The LE IT covers the entire customs Law Enforcement lifecycle from the initial
generation to its completion. The modules are presented in Table 8. An effective LE IT allows
single entry of data while supporting multiple analysis/reporting mechanisms on strategic,
tactical and operational levels.
Table 8: LE IT Systemmodules
Intelligence Unit FAST/Scanner Unit
Operational Centre (part of the Kosovo Integrated Border
Management (IBM))
Professional Standard Unit
Risk Analysis Unit
Web-Based Risk Management - Aid
memoires
Investigation Unit (fine, customs offenses, criminal report
sub-module)
Integration/messaging Module
External Audit (Post Clearance Control) Stop/Search Form
Task/Activities Sub-system Seizure/Detain Module
Declaration of Monetary Instruments
Source: Kosovo Customs
The investigation module of the LE IT System is designed to establish a common task force for
the Kosovo Tax Administration and the KC, allowing them to perform joint investigations. The
short-term plan is to create a common/integrated risk management system that will include the
Tax Administration, OGA’s that will participate in the KS Single Window and the Kosovo Police.
is presenting the statistics extracted from the LE IT system for the period January –
September 2017.
Table 9: LE IT System Statistics
Case Type Number of Cases Reports Number of Reports