Facilitating Trade:
Improving Customs Risk Management Systems
In the OIC Member States
12
2.1.5 Specifics of Risk Management Related to Modes of Transport
Modes of transport describe the different ways of transportation used in international trade;
maritime, air and road. Different means of transportation are used for each mode. Each mode
has specific characteristics relevant for Customs control and CRM. A CAs, therefore, needs to
adopt dedicated control strategies for each mode taking into account the specificities of each
mode of transport.
2.1.5.1 Air transportation
The specificities of air transportation allow an efficient application of RM: There are few
operators and they are normally subject to strict governments controls requiring professional
operations and respect of international rules including security; In addition entry points of air
cargo are limited to airport facilities which are facilities tightly regulated (scrutiny and
authorization of staff, adoption of quality and security protocols) and managed following
international and national norms; and finally, information on goods and persons is available by
the carrier in electronic format and the submission of pre-arrival information is nowmandatory
in many countries. In addition the journey follows a most direct route, limiting opportunities of
access to the cargo for non-authorized persons so that air cargo operators and the carriers can
effectively control cargo.
The most valuable document related to air cargo transportation is the air waybill (AWB). The
AWB consists of the unique identification number, shippers, and consignees’ name, and address,
the airport of departure and destination, declared the value and the information related to the
transported goods (content, weight, quantity). On the basis of the AWB which is transmitted to
CA in advance, CA can start processing, namely the risk analysis process to target shipments for
inspection upon arrival.
2.1.5.2 Land transportation
Land transportation as a specific mode of transport can be conducted through rail
transportation and road transportation.
Rail transportation; Rail stations are defined as railroad systems with at least one switch,
providing a starting and ending point for trains and allowing them to swerve or turn 7. Rail
transport has a shortage of variants and flexibility because they have to move along the railroad
and as a result of this they like the air, water and pipe transport make the transportation from
terminal to terminal, and not from point to point unless the companies have a railroad in their
premises. The infrastructure of rail modes of transport is composed of rail stations (properties,
buildings and other facilities to perform safe cargo and passengers transport by rail) and
railroad systems. At border crossing points and specific inland stations as a part of rail station
infrastructure, there is customs authority authorized to control passengers and cargo
transported by the rail.
Road transportation; Road transportation is effectuated with cars and buses for passengers
and trucks for goods. Trucks can transport the goods for medium costs that can vary based on
the sensitivity of goods transported, fluctuations of the cost of fuel and the condition of roads. In
most of the cases, the risk assessment for road mode of transportation related to trucks, cars,
buses, or foot passengers can carry out through their identity information (vehicle and
passengers information) with the help of an automated system (intelligence, suspect list, alert
7 Harald Gleissner, J. Christian Femerling: Logistics, Basics – Exercises – Case Studies, Springer International Publishing
Switzerland 2013