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The Hashemite Kingdom of JordanMinistry of Finance Customs Department

الهاشمية األردنية المملكةالمالية وزارة

الجمارك دائرة

Challenges and Opportunities of Customs Reform and Trade Facilitation: Jordan’s experience

Ein El Sokhna – EgyptApril 17-20, 2004

Prepared & presented by Tayseer Younis

Deputy Director of Planning and Organization-Customs Department

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Role of Customs in Trade Facilitation

Trade facilitation – What is it?

Simplification of international trade procedures.

Change from revenue-collecting administrations.

Maintain effective & efficient controls; ensure compliance; protect the society.

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Establishment of Customs Department

Established in 1922

Known as “Directorate of Excise and General Statistics”

The first law was in 1926

The first customs tariff was issued in 1963

Forty customs Houses

Clearance Customhouses, Border, Postal Customhouse

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Our Vision

To be among the pioneers of the world in providing a high quality customs

services to all stakeholders

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Our MissionProviding an excellent customs service that

fulfills the comprehensive growth requirements and copes with the development at the national and

international levels

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Objectives of JCD Continue supplying the Treasury with revenues

Contribute to the commercial and economic growth and promote investment

Control the flow of travelers, goods and means of transportation

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Combat smuggling and other illicit trade activities

Protect the local society and environment

Achieve discipline and accountability - promote integrity

Objectives of JCD (continued)

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Purposes of Customs Reform

TO achieve the major objectives of customs effectively and efficiently

Customs is exposed to corruption more than any other dept

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Steps taken by JCD in the Reform Process

Optimum use of information technology

Customs legislation and policy

Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures

Human Resources development and training

An integrity and anti-corruption program.

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Optimum use of information technology

Implementation of ASYCUDA

V-SAT communication network

X-ray inspection equipment

Customs Department’s Website

Electronic system for receiving complaints & suggestions

Steps of reform (Continued)

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The intranet

*Inquiries about transfer declarations

*Inquiries about rate of customs duties

*Data exchange

CD containing all information on agreements

Steps of reform(Continued)-IT

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Customs legislation and policy

Review the Customs Law Exempting and investment promotion Commitment to conventions Transparency – publication, brochures, website The Administrative Organization System No.(43) of 2000 Partnership council with the private sector Strategic planing

Steps of reform(Continued)

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Simplification and Harmonization of Procedures

Coordination and cooperation with other departments

Delegation of powers

Computerized customs systems

Value database

Steps of reform(Continued)

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Partnership council with the private sector

Payment of duties – visa cards

Accession to customs convention

ISO 9001/2000 - TQM

Steps of reform(Continued)- simplification

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Steps of reform(Continued)

Human resources development & training Recruitment strategy

Improvement of staff of the Department

Customs Training Centre

Yearly training plan

Comprehensive training programs – local, regional

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Steps of reform(Continued)

An integrity and anti-corruption program

Participation of the JCD in many Conferences

Clear and precise laws and regulations

Computerized customs procedures

Regulations and notifications newspapers, the official Gazette, Customs website

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Integrity (Continued)

Recruitment: Civil Service System

exams, interviews, committees

Cooperation with Combating Corruption Directorate

Salaries, incentives , allowances

Inspection Directorate, Internal Audit Directorate

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Integrity (Continued)

Accounting Bureau office in the Department

Housing, health insurance

Code of conduct and job ethics

Cooperation with Combating corruption Directorate of the Intelligence Department.

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Distribution of training programs for staff and the number of participants between (1996-2001)

Establishing Customs Training Center and holding training programs which ensure the integrity and the opportunities of

training and education for all staff.

2003200220012000199919981997

Training Programs Number of Participants

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Rapid technological developmentsRapid technological developments

Focus on integrity, discipline and accountabilityFocus on integrity, discipline and accountability

Recruitment and training of new employeesRecruitment and training of new employees

Facilitation of legal trade activitiesFacilitation of legal trade activities

What are the Challenges that face the JCD?

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Go on combating smugglingGo on combating smuggling

Fulfilling the requirements of stakeholdersFulfilling the requirements of stakeholders

Providing a high quality customs service Providing a high quality customs service

Maintain the critical thinking of the Department Maintain the critical thinking of the Department

Challenges (Continued…)

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External Factors and Threats; a future vision

Jordan’s accession to the WTO agreements, and other agreements

Persistent development of trade and industry Development of smuggling “strategies”

Increasing terrorist threats at the world level Accelerating technological development

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Our opportunities Royal support

King Abdullah Award for the Excellent Governmental Performance and Transparency

Regional representative of WCO

Technical assistance

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Address of Jordan Customs

Jordan Customs Department

P.O Box (90)

Amman –Postal Code 11118

Tel: 962-6-4623186

Fax: 962-6-4647791

Web Site: www.customs.gov.jo

E-Mail: customs@customs.gov.jo

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Thank You

Prepared & presented by Prepared & presented by Tayseer YounisTayseer Younis

Deputy Director of Planning and Deputy Director of Planning and Organization-Customs DepartmentOrganization-Customs Department