Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
49
Box 10: Pakistani Customs GPS tracking
The goods destined to Afghanistan from abroad through Pakistan and the goods exported from
Pakistan to Afghanistan used to have a problem at the border as the goods were smuggled back
to Pakistan without paying any duties and taxes. It was a major concern which affects the
economy of Pakistan. This problem was resolved by computerizing and tracking system in
Pakistan and good cooperation by Afghanistan. Pakistan has implemented the GPS system;
therefore, the enforcement by the Customs has become easier than before using GPS. It is
reported that the smuggling records has been reduced drastically since applying this system.
2.1.9.3 Security Sensors
The traditional seals only detect consignment breaches that occur through the consignment
department. More sophisticated sensors also monitor the condition of the consignment (e.g.,
humidity, temperature, etc.). Intrusion detection devices can furthermore detect additional
consignment breaks, through mechanical, light-sensitive or infrared motion detectors. This
solution is gaining increased interest as it allows for non-intrusive inspections.
2.1.10 Joint use of Equipment and Resources
Appropriate border infrastructure does not only facilitate the work of staff at the border but can
also be conducive to close cooperation between CAs and OGAs from both sides of the border.
For this purpose, and in order to ensure that the needs of all services are taken into account, the
development, modernization, and construction of new Border Crossing Points should be
coordinated among all agencies present at the BCP, as well as with other relevant stakeholders
such as the MoT or freight forwarders.
Minimum standards can be defined in a national approach for each type of BCP by the services
present at BCPs and be laid down in the form of a law or regulation or another form depending
on the country context.
In addition to the possibility of shared facilities, the sharing of equipment/resources and joint
acquisition/tendering could also be taken into consideration for reasons of cost-effectiveness.
2.1.10.1 Nonintrusive Equipment - Scanners
At the BCPs and in the ports situated on the transport corridors with fixed X-ray and mobile X-
ray scanner units, all agencies should have the possibility to use the equipment. Mobile scanners
are widely used in CAs, due to the possibility to allocate the scanners inland or on the BCPs
according to certain schedule or needs, In addition; the CA can agree with the neighboring
country to use the scanners in an alternate mode. Apart from mobile scanners, there are
scanners with different degrees of mobility: fixed, railway, pallet, baggage, and fast- postal
scanners (low-cost high-volume shipments). The latest WCO dataset version, include scanner
photo/image to be exchanged with other CAs in transit and with the Customs Office of