The Evolving Role of Customs Administrations – from Goalkeeper to Trade Facilitator

Customs administrations play a pivotal role in the advancement of international trade. The efficiency and effectiveness of customs procedures can significantly influence the economic competitiveness of nations. Customs’ roles and responsibilities have evolved over time and now their main responsibility is to facilitate legitimate trade by allowing it to pass through borders as quickly and smoothly as possible while implementing border management and enforcing controls.

The transition from the traditional objective of revenue collection and enforcement of mainly protective controls to the modern trade facilitation agenda and trade policy reform requires a paradigm shift. Customs administrations around the world constantly encounter challenges to enhance their processes in order to make them more robust and transparent, thereby striking a balance between facilitating trade and the enforcement of effective border controls.

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