Facilitating Trade:
Improving Customs Risk Management Systems
In the OIC Member States
46
3.1.6.2 Data Exchange
Another tool developed by the WCO is the Customs Enforcement Network Communication
(CENComm). The CENComm allows customs law enforcement authorities to exchange and
disseminate real-time information in a secure environment during special enforcement
operations. It is a web-based platform that enables closed user group to exchange messages via
encrypted electronic mailing system, like an ordinary email, for the duration of an operation.
The CENComm enables three standardized message templates that can be customized by the
WCO on the request:
 Warning message, allows users to send a profile of a shipment to be part of customs
inspection and control.
 Feedback message to report on the actions undertaken by the customs based on the
warning message.
 Seizure message to record details related to the seizures.
The South-East EuropeanMessaging System (SEMS) is a gateway for the secure, accurate, and
real-time exchange of data. The system has an integrated early warning system, which could be
easily customized and used for the exchange of any information. The SEMS could, also, be used
for many other purposes, for instance, as a tool for the collection of data for selectivity, risk
assessment, and targeting. It enables participating CAs to focus the resources on the high-risk
areas. The SEMS facilitates quicker clearance at the borders and safer road, railway, river and
sea traffic. This systemhas a long history and has become a mature software package. Short term
plan is to upgrade the SEMS system to a secure web-based data exchange platform.
Supplemented with the SEED, it is an important tool that supports the CRM and intelligence
functions. Following experiences learned from the PAIS (Pre Arrival Information System), which
was in use in Albania, in late ‘90, the SEMS was initially developed during 2000 by the IT Support
of the Customs and Fiscal Assistance Office Program (CAFAO) Programme 37, funded by the
European Commission DG AIDCO. The SEMS was accepted by Southeast European Law
Enforcement Center38 (SELEC) MS as a standard form for the exchange of operational customs
and excise data. At the Regional (South-East Europe) Law Enforcement Conferences, Ohrid 2007
and Tirana 2012, the SEMS was accepted by the Regional Customs Administrations as a tool for
exchange of pre-arrival information.
Other examples of systems for exchange of customs data are the EU-China Smart and Secure
Trade Lanes39 (SSTL) and Intercambio de Información de los Registros Aduaneros (INDIRA) of
Mercosur40 .
3.1.6.3 Data Analysis and Reporting
CAs CRM needs to recognize changing business dynamics and challenges, smuggling and crime
modus operandi, and respond in accurate and timely manner. CAs must also anticipate trends,
identify new opportunities, transform operational strategy and reorient resources - the key to
succeeding is information.
CAs collects significant volumes of data and has access to even more data from outside their
domain (OGAs, Banks, Tax Administration, Statistic, etc.). The objective is to transform the raw
37 Customs And Fiscal Assistant Office to Western Balkans
38
39
sstl_en
40