Cross-Border Paperless Trade Facilitation and Single
Window System:
Pakistan’s Experience
Pakistan Customs
Federal Board of Revenue
Trade Facilitation in WTO terms
Simplification, harmonization and automation of the procedures applied to
international trade, particularly the requirements and formalities related
to importation and exportation with a view to further expediting the
movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.
Key Trade Facilitation Goals
• Reduction in Clearance Time through Risk Management System
• National Single Window
• AEO Programs
• Mutual Recognition of Customs Controls
• Coordinated Border Management
• Customs to Business Engagement
• Supply Chain Security
TRADE FACILITATION IN AUTOMATED/PAPERLESS ENVIRONMET
TRADE FACILITATION IN AUTOMATED ENVIRONMET
• Faster clearance times for legitimate trade;
• Improved compliance as a result of increased access to regulatory
information and functions;
• Enhanced Customs to Customs coordination and linkage with other
border regulatory agencies at the national and international level for
coordinated border management;
• Increased transparency in regulatory processes and decision-making;
• The use of performance measurement to improve Customs
procedures; and
• Enhanced detection of irregularities and illicit consignments through
the collection and analysis of data.
IMPLEMENTATION OF PAPERLESS TRADE:
PAKISTAN’S EXPERIENCE
History of Automation in
Pakistan Customs In 1988, FBR introduced Systems Limited
1992 computer processing (online processing) of bill of
entries was started
In 1994 a new company owned by FBR, was established
namely Pakistan Revenue Automation (Pvt.) Limited
(PRAL)
In 2001, e-filing was introduced
In 2005, PaCCS introduced
In 2009, working initiated on WeBOC
WeBOC: A Homegrown Solution
An indigenously-developed system having a dedicated
Development Team comprising of IT Professionals
A paperless system
Encompasses all types of customs business processes
Covers all modes of cargo shipment: sea, air and land
Provides end-to-end system based solutions
Fully-integrated with stakeholders: traders, terminal
operators, freight forwarders, banks, clearing agents,
Federal/Provincial Govts.
Has processed 5 million import/export transactions
F A T A
AJK
PAKISTAN: Cluster Overview – Who, What, Where (as of 10 August 2010)
Water Sanitation Hygiene
Food Security
Coordination
Emergency Telecommunications
Protection
Punjab
Balochistan
Sind
Islamabad
Gilgit Balistan
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
WeBOC COVERAGE
3 sea ports
9 airports
11 inland stations
8 border stations
Sost
RWP
PWR
TRKM
SLKT
LHR
WHGA
FSD
MLTN
HYD
PQ
KHI
RYK
DGK
SHD
KHR KPH
Chaman
Taftan
Trade Facilitation Measures in WeBOC
WeBOC
Indigenous Paperless
Enhanced transparency
Minimized chances of
manipulation
No duplication
of procedures
FIFO assessment
Lesser human
interaction
Simplified procedures
Integrated with
stakeholders
Predictable environment
for trade
Reduced processing
time
Reduced cost of
business
24/7 online payment facility
Audit based controls
Risk selectivity
criteria
One window
Electronic Data Exchange through WeBOC
(Across-the-border linkage)
WeBOC
TIR
Pak – China FTA Afghan Transit
Trade
Linkage being developed with International Air Travel Association (IATA)
GREEN
No physical inspection
or examination
60% export cargo is
cleared through Green
Channel
30% import clearances
are made using this
facility
RED
Physical inspection
New users
Risk profiles
YELLOW
30% export cargo is
cleared through yellow
channel
40% import clearances
are made through this
channel
Assessment only
Need-based
examination is created
WeBOC: MODES OF CARGO CLEARANCE
CORE MODULES
User Management
Carrier Declaration
Goods Declaration
RMS Assessment Management
Examination Management
Manifest Clearance
Warehouse Management
20%
Federal/Provincial Government
Ministries/Departments.
Traders, terminal operators, freight
forwarders, clearing agents banks,
insurance companies
With its status updation mechanism working on real-time basis, WeBOC keeps its users intimated of the actions performed
by customs and also registers the user response(s).
USER STRENGTH
Over a period of 6 years
52,000
Systemic
approach
Constructs
profiles
System’s
brain
Risk
assessment
Layered
encryption
Decision
making
Artificial
intelligence
Reduces
vulnerability
Generates
alerts
Threat
shield
Controlled
implementation
Reviews
effectiveness
RISK-MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
• System’s reliability on RMS
• Constructs traders profiles
• A shield to system threats
• Employs artificial intelligence
• Makes risk assessment
• Performs controlled
implementation
SEAPORT CARGO HANDLING
Operational at 3 major ports of the nation
Online completion of formalities
EDI messaging with terminal operators/port authorities/custodians
Online adjudication
Using EDI, data is electronically exchanged with other ports
AIRBORNE CARGO HANDLING
Integrated air-cargo handling
E-air manifestation
Customs airline connectivity
Role for allied Govt. agencies
INLAND CUSTOMS CLEARANCE HANDLING: TP & ST
an automated cargo traffic monitoring system
e-alerts to the recipient customs stations
24/7 live messaging
covers on-port and port-to-off-port, port-to-inland
stations and port-to-border stations cargo
movements
From ports, goods are transshipped/safe-
transported to inland customs stations for
clearance.
LAND-BORDER CARGO CLEARANCE
WeBOC covers following bordering customs
stations:
1. LFU Wahga (Pak-India Border)
2. Torkham (Pak-Afghanistan Border)
3. SRDP Sost (Pak-China Border)
4. Chaman (Pak-Afghanistan Border)
5. Taftan (Pak-Iran Border)
ANDROID APPLICATION
WeBOC allows android application
provides users with the facility to interact with the system:
to know about the fiscal treatment of cargo
to have status intimation
To have customs response etc.
Showcasing of WeBOC System
Participation in Global Trade Development Exhibition held in Dubai in October –
2016
Unique opportunity to showcase WeBOC system alongside International Supply
Chain Organizatons including Dubai Ports Authority, International Road Transport
Union, Thomson Reuters, NucTech, Crimson Logic
STATISTICS
Over PKR 900 billion Govt. revenue generated during FY 2015-16
More than 1million TEUs handled during FY 2015-16 (excluding TP, ST and AT);
Examination reduced to 40% (import)
WeBOC carries the largest electronic footprint amongst the nation’s public sector organizations
73% of import and 93% export cargo is cleared in a day’s time;
35% import cargo is cleared through Green Channel facility
Operational at 3 sea ports, 9 air ports, 8 border points and 11 inland customs stations;
YEAR-WISE REVENUE GENERATION
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
FY 2011-12
FY 2012-13
FY 2013-14
FY 2014-15
FY 2015-16
Revenue
PK
R
in B
illi
on
s
TOWARDS SINGLE WINDOW
WeBOC
Traders Customs
Customs Agents
NBP/SBP
Terminal Operators
Airlines
Shipping Lines
Bonded Carriers
Warehouses
Ministries
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INTER-MINISTRY/ORGANIZATION LINKAGE
• Ministries/organizations linked to WeBOC
Ministry of Climate Change
Ministry of Industries & Production (EDB)
SBP (Ministry of Finance)
IRS (Ministry of Finance)
• Ministries/organizations being linked to WeBOC
Ministry of Commerce
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of National Food Security & Research (Dptt. of Plant Protection)
Ministry of Science & Technology (PSQCA)
Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication (PTA)
Board of Investment
Enhancement of Digital Platform –
Projects at Hand
Shipping
Companies/
Agents
Terminal
Operators
Importers/
Exporters
Warehouse
Licensees Customs Agents
e-Payment
Transporters
Airlines/ Airline
Agents WeBOC
Regulatory Authorities
Development of National Single Window through WeBOC
Platform
PROJECTS AT-HAND
Enhancement of Digital Platform –
Projects at Hand
contd.
Introduction of Authorized Economic Operators (AEO)
Program
Document simplification and data harmonization– WCO
Data Model
Electronic Payment System (e-Payment)
Enhancement of Electronic Data Exchange between
Pakistan Customs and Other Customs Administrations
Enhancement of Digital Platform –
Projects at Hand
contd.
Infrastructure Upgradation of WeBOC
Human Resource Development
ISO Certification
Migration of Historical Data
CHALLENGES FACED
CHALLENGES FACED AND LESSONS LEARNT • Excessive documentation requirements
• Inefficient border-crossing procedures
• Transport and transit impediments
• Inadequate transparency and predictability
• Inadequate cooperation and coordination
• Inadequate automated processes and scarce use of ICT
• High administrative costs
• Human resource constraints
• Technological impediments
• Homegrown system: no international partners
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