The World Bank has received funds from the Consultant Trust Fund (CTF) from Japan for a project to develop a Customs Time Release Monitoring Software based on the Time Release for Goods methodology published in 2002 by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The WCO is a partner in this project under the umbrella of the Global Facilitation Partnership For Transportation And Trade (GFP).
The goal of the project is to make available to Customs Administrations of WCO developing member countries a computerized tool to systematically collect and process indicators of performance in the delivery of customs services, in particular clearance and release time of goods.
One of the focal points in international trading is the performance of Customs and their efficiency in clearing goods. Modern Customs administrations have recognised that streamlining and simplifying clearance procedures is of benefit to their importers, their exporters and their national economies. One of the methods used for the review of Customs clearance procedures is to periodically measure the average time taken between the arrival of the goods and their release. The use of automation and other sophisticated selectivity methods can allow Customs to improve compliance and at the same time improve facilitation for the majority of low risk goods.
In 2000, the WCO's Permanent Technical Committee reviewed and updated a study to measure the time required for the release of the goods in an effort to simplify its application. The outcome of the study provides the methodology to assist administrations in designing their study to stimulate efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs clearance procedures. On the basis of this Time Release Study the World Bank decided to support the implementation of the Time Release Guidelines by funding the development of supporting Time Release Software. These guidelines titled "Guide to Measure the Time Required for the Release of Goods" published by the World Customs Organization in 2002 will be an integral part of the Terms of Reference.
The budget for this activity is US$ 100,000 and can not be exceeded
