FACILITATING INTRA-OIC TRADE:
Improving the Efficiency of the Customs Procedures in the OIC Member States
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3.1. CURRENT SITUATION OF THE CUSTOMS PROCEDURES
3.1.1. Clearance Times
The clearance time of the cargo is relatively high in many member states. The reasons
leading to this result can be grouped in two categories. One is the prolonged customs
formalities which require more time to be finalized than the other countries. In many
member states, the traders or their agents need to collect many documents, submit
customs declaration manually after the cargo reached to the border, wait for the physical
examination, make the payment in cash etc. Secondly, in many cases, the traders or their
agents submit inadequate documents or information to the authorities for clearance.
This situation increases the average time of cargo clearance. Customs administrations
face such situation in many cases.
The average time, cost and documents required for the exports and imports has been
measured by the Trading Across Borders Index of the World Bank since 2005. Among
these three variables, most of the OIC Member States have demonstrated success in
improving time between 2005-2013 period. However, customs clearance time is still
high in most of them.
Box 5: Vision, Mission and Values of Afghanistan Customs Department (ACD)
Vision
The Vision of ACD is to evolve as a modern, credible, efficient, effective and dynamic customs
organization committed to the highest standards of integrity, honesty and professionalism with the
capacity and responsibility to deliver customs revenue and effective enforcement.
Mission
In order to realize our vision, our mission must be to strive for partnership with trading community,
world class standards, excellence in efficiency, professionalism and service, fairness and uniformity
through harmonized procedures, to promote trade and investment, strengthen the economy, protect the
health as well-being of the afghan people and to ensure all goods and persons entering and exiting
Afghanistan do so in full compliance with Afghanistan laws and regulations.
Values
If we are to abide and uphold out vision and mission then we must apply key values listed below:
 Integrity
 Credibility
 Professionalism
 Accountability
 Transparency
 Effficiency and effectiveness
 Facilitation
 Discipline
Source: Afghanistan Customs Department