Improving the Border Agency Cooperation
Among the OIC Member States for Facilitating Trade
99
beneficiary states. The following benefits can be derived when the information is correctly
applied to risk analysis and post-clearance controls:
 Facilitation of legitimate trade where the reliable trader should be subjected to
reduced customs controls;
 Better results in the fight against illicit trade, namely through more targeted customs
controls where the customs will be able to identify changes in customs declaration
between border crossing points;
 Prevention of corruption and strengthening the fight against organized crime as the
automatic exchange of pre-arrival information will limit the scope for manipulation of
customs procedures at the border;
 Improvement of post clearance control efficiency as the exchanged pre-arrival
information will remain available on the SEED database;
 Improvement of overall technical capacity of the customs administrations;
 Improved cross border procedures;
 Increased regional cooperation; and
 Promotion of BAC. 176
The SEED project has already resulted in a number of data exchanges, e.g. the Single
Administrative Document (SAD), information related to transit procedures and the TIR Carnet.
Moreover, the future SEED projects (SEED+) will target the inclusion of additional agencies in
the information exchange system, besides customs authorities.177
Transit arrangements and mutual recognition of import/ export certificates
Albania has cooperation mechanisms with other authorities across the border. For example,
Albania has a bilateral agreement on trade facilitation with Kosovo and no transit controls take
place between the two countries, except in the case of suspicious shipments. If a truck comes
loaded on a ship from Durres to Kosovo, previously they had to undergo a series of transit
procedures. Now goods will come from the Durres customs or from anywhere in Albania and
the procedure will not last for more than five minutes. Efforts are also taking place in
connection with the simplification of procedures for perishable goods and for the mutual
recognition of certificates for import and export activities between the two countries.178
Risk management and risk profiling
The task of the CEFTA Working Group on Risk Management is to develop and broaden
cooperation among CEFTA Parties in accordance with the Articles 12, 13, and 14 of CEFTA
2006, especially with a view to propose the possibilities of taking joint actions related to the
management of public authorities and agencies involved in clearance of goods at the regional
level, with the overall intent of facilitating the regional trade and improving the quality and
deterrence of customs, security, and safety controls and inspections. The specific functions of
this Working Group are the following two:
1) Cooperation in the area of risk management of customs authorities and other
governmental authorities involved in clearance of goods:
176 EU SEED – Project Information.
177 Albanian Ministry of Economy , Expert interview 2016
178 The General Albanian Customs Directorate expert interview, 2016