Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
50
Destination (CoD). The usage of identical brands or types of equipment will limit costs and
facilitate joint use of equipment.
Another important research and development trend is motivated by security issues, in
particular, nonintrusive scanning of the consignment. Research efforts are looking for methods
that can overcome traditional x-ray and gamma-ray scanning techniques limitations. New
scanning technology is based on higher spatial resolution and low-attenuation materials.
Although service dogs are highly specialized, sharing service dogs among the CAs and OGAs
could also lead to good results and cost savings. Agreements can be established with reference
to the joint use of common risk management (indicators), equipment/resources, addressing the
questions of ownership and priority, maintenance, accountability / documentation,
responsibilities, and the limitation on the use of specialized equipment by respective specialists.
2.1.10.2 Infrastructure and equipment
Sharing of facilities - Infrastructure at BCPs could be adapted to allow for integrated control in
one building (goods and passengers separated from consignment on trucks) in order to facilitate
joint controls and avoid duplication of controls. Where this is not possible, the workplaces of
closely cooperating services should at least be placed within easy reach of one another.
In light of the efficient use of resources and facilitation of sharing specialized equipment Non-
intrusive inspection technology (NII technology), it is recommended to use service rooms on a
reciprocity basis, however, taking the restrictions related to hygiene and the contamination risk
into account. For the Customs service, coordination with OGAs, with which equipment and
facilities for the inspection of goods and incineration facilities could be shared, is especially
important. Apart from incineration facilities, the sharing of infrastructure and equipment is
largely not allowed for veterinary services. Facilities for intensive checks of means of transport
and unloading of trucks can be used commonly, bearing in mind that ideally the control itself
should be carried out by representatives of all relevant agencies.
Furthermore, the use of facilities such as kitchens or common rooms by all agencies can facilitate
informal exchange between officers and encourage the feeling of pursuing a common goal.
Fast Lines - Transit procedures at Border Crossing Points frequently cause long waiting times,
and delays as traffic volumes are growing and the infrastructure and design of border stations
are often not adapted to the border control operations.
In particular, the BCPs are usually located in remote areas with poor infrastructure, limited by
mountain passes, rivers (bridges), tunnels, or, sometimes, the opposite; the nearby urban
agglomeration limits the space for border checks. Adding to this the fact that at least four border
checks are performed – border police check and customs check by each neighboring country -in
this limited space, the congestion and delays become almost inevitable. Another important