Improving the Border Agency Cooperation
Among the OIC Member States for Facilitating Trade
19
 Simplification & Harmonisation : agencies work together with the first aim to
streamline certification requirements and procedures, to minimise the number of data
elements required from traders etc.; and with the second aim to unify the rules and
requirements facing supply chain companies.
 Interoperability & Synchronisation: agencies invest in improving interoperability
between their inspection technologies, IT-systems etc.; they also work together to
better synchronise their supervision and control processes, particularly for the benefit
of supply chain companies.
 Transparency & Predictability: agencies keep each other well informed of their
current regulations, procedures, operations etc., as well as planned future changes –
such proactive approach helps to minimise surprises and related hassles.
1.3.2. BAC activities with supply chain companies as the primary beneficiaries
The following five BAC activities can bring immediate benefits to the companies operating in
supply chains, in terms of saving administrative costs and speeding up the supply chain – in
particular less work dealing with various certifications and audit visits, less variation and IT
costs with import/export data filing and less waiting times at the borders.
Harmonised ´trusted trader´ & other certification programs: In the European Union, the
European Commission´s implementing regulation (No. 889/2014) updates the references to
the aviation security legislation in force, including recognition of the Known Consignor (KC)
status and its relevance to Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) 20, and framing the scope of
recognition of the common requirements between the respective programs.
Coordinated company visits & audits: Closely linked to the previous BAC-action, in the
Netherlands, the Dutch Customs executes joint audits on AEO security (customs) and known
consignor/regulated agent (air cargo) with the Dutch Immigration and air-police agency –
during the application phase, as well as during periodical audits.
Harmonised data filing requirements : Despite a global, harmonised data model on
harmonised tariff codes and standards on clearance procedures, there are many differences in
operational import, export and transit procedures and information requirements between
countries. This results in additional complexity of IT systems for globally operating traders and
logistic service providers. An example is the pre-arrival security declarations, where
harmonisation would be most useful for example between the Importer Security Filing, “10+2”
in the US and the Entry Summary Declaration in Europe - Multiple Filing, supported by
Standard Trader Interface, under development within the Union Customs Code (UCC).
Synchronised border interventions & inspections : Article 4 of the Greater Mekong Sub-
region Cross Border Transport Agreement on Facilitation of Border Crossing Formalities calls
upon the contracting parties to progressively adopt measures to simplify and expedite border
formalities by carrying out joint and simultaneous inspection of goods and people by
respective competent authorities of agencies such as customs, immigration, trade, agriculture,
20 The AEO concept is based on the Customs-to-Business partnership introduced by the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
Traders who voluntarily meet a wide range of criteria work in close cooperation with customs authorities to assure the
common objective of supply chain security and are entitled to enjoy benefits (as defined in their national and/or regional
regulations) -
(accessed 31 August 2016)