In order to promote a synergy between trade facilitation and control, the First Regional Congress on Good Customs Practices in Ecuador, which will last until today.
The meeting, organized by the National Customs Service of Ecuador (SENAE) and the private agency CORPEI, brought together prominent speakers from the United States and Latin American countries, who attended a series of presentations on joint work, agile processes, more efficient environments and the fight against illicit activities.
After the opening of the Director General of Customs of Ecuador, Carola Ríos, who emphasized the role of customs as a key entity for trade and commercial interconnection between countries, Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ricardo Treviño Chiapa, gave a keynote speech: “Digital transformation and new challenges in trade facilitation.”
The expert's presentation focused on the most significant impacts on the use of some emerging technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, by customs administrations and supply chain stakeholders. The Deputy Secretary General expressed that the WCO, a world leader in customs matters, supports the efforts of its members to adapt to international trade trends. In this regard, he noted that the WCO Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which will come into force on July 1, will incorporate the technological area to ensure the correct approach to the preparation of modern customs and to support the objectives of collection, facilitation and control of goods.
Among the speakers was also Werner Ovalle, Guatemalan Customs Superintendent and WCO Vice President for the Americas and the Caribbean, who commented on the regional experience of the Authorized Economic Operator Program. Ovalle focused his presentation not only on the importance of this key instrument to create “an ecosystem of legal, safe and transparent trade,” but also on the possibility of expanding it. Thus, he mentioned the recent Regional Mutual Recognition Agreement signed in Sao Paulo by the customs of eleven countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic and Uruguay. “The added value of the agreement is that it brings together three subregions: Central America, the Andean region and Mercosur,” he said.
"Now, the region has a total of 2009 certified operators," he said, and invited the actors to devote themselves to learning about the benefits of the OEA so that everyone can be part of trade facilitation.
Among the exponents was Tayra Barsallo, Director General of the Panama Customs Authority, who participated in the panel “Importance of Traceability throughout the Foreign Trade Chain to Mitigate Cargo Contamination Risks”. The director emphasized the joint work of Customs and the Panamanian private sector to combat illicit trade, as well as the advances of the Authorized Economic Operator to minimize risks.
He also participated Ingrid Díaz, Director of National Taxes and Customs (DIAN) of Colombia; Díaz shared her experiences with the control of the parcel delivery mechanism. The expert referred to the postal traffic and urgent shipping modalities, and to the internal control system implemented by the Colombian Customs for these shipments that are concentrated at the El Dorado International Airport.
From the point of view of changes and adjustments in the internal processes in an organization, the Director and Founder of Thinknet SA Argentina, Gustavo Giorgetti, He addressed the topic “Zero-paper customs, Estonia’s experience as the first digital country in the world”. He explained the keys to the ecosystem, the principles for moving forward and the transformation path.
Peru is the cornerstone of this framework in the region. The National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT) has undertaken an effort to modernize its technological base. Marilú Llerena, Deputy Superintendent of Customs at SUNAT, She addressed the topic “Technology and automation of customs processes for the benefit of foreign trade users.” The Customs officer explained the implementation of digital platforms for import, export and fast delivery shipments, which have allowed for a significant reduction in clearance times and zero paperwork. She also highlighted the implementation of the Electronic Affidavit of Baggage and Money, so that passengers entering Peru who have to declare, do so digitally from their cell phone.
Another trend to be incorporated by modern customs is risk management, as it constitutes a mechanism that makes control more effective and allows for greater facilitation and simplification of the lawful movement of goods. To this end, Jaime Borgiani, National Director of Customs Uruguay, participated in the panel “Security processes in customs”. The expert in Valuation highlighted the Uruguayan experience in risk analysis. He referred to the fact that there must be permanent involvement and support from the highest levels of government to customs administrations. He explained the tools and the moment in which the analysis is carried out, the control measures, the challenges for the treatment of exports with a security profile and for transits to port; he also developed the post-clearance audit.
The First Regional Congress on Customs Practices successfully held numerous sessions under the following topics: “Challenges in implementing the non-intrusive inspection system – the case of El Salvador”, “Good regional practices in household goods for investors”, “Smart Ports – best practices in the region”, “Importance of traceability throughout the foreign trade chain to mitigate the risks of cargo contamination”, “Recommendations to strengthen the fight against corruption”, “Importance of cybersecurity in the competitiveness of foreign trade”, “Opportunities in the integration of the Andean Community in the last decade” and “Challenges in the development of free zones in Ecuador”.
Based on this welcoming scenario, the head of SENAE placed special emphasis on deepening trade facilitation measures within a framework of convergence. At the end of the meeting in Ecuador, Carola Ríos outlined the challenges of customs in terms of innovation, communication and the balance between facilitation and control, to improve the economy and social opportunities in the region.
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