Ease Of Doing Business: Customs Introduces Webb Tracker Mobile App
The Federal Government’s policy on ease of doing business receives a major boost as the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, is set to introduce Webb Tracker mobile Application and a simplified standard operating procedure for the use of scanners.
This was disclosed in a press statement on Thursday, 25 November, 2021, by the Service’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Comptroller Joseph Attach.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that with the mobile app, any person that has access to the Nigerian Customs Integrated System (NICIS II) can remotely validate any declaration/payment, and more importantly the status of a particular consignment/vehicle. As such, motorists and owners of other imported goods no longer have to wait for long periods of time for field operatives to confirm the validity of their documents before letting them go.
Furthermore, the app, which can be installed in mobile devices such as phones and tablets, enables the use of the vehicle identification number to upload data concerning the type, make and model of all vehicles at the point of making declaration, with a view to assigning value for the payment of appropriate Customs duty.
On the road, field operatives using this mobile application will be able to, in real-time, validate any Customs declaration using the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the Customs control numbers to ascertain the correct status of vehicles and other containerized goods released or in transit.
This, apart from removing acrimonies associated with enforcement activities on the highways, will robustly facilitate free flow of compliant trade while checking illegal imports.
The simplified standard operating procedure provides clear guidelines on the usage of scanners at all entry and exit points in Nigeria.
The steps are as follows for all containers:
– All containers are Pre-Scanned as soon a they are discharged from vessel.
– Declaration, Assessment and Payment is made by the declarant.
– NICIS II Risk Engine allocates scanned containers to designated Image Analyst.
For Compliant Containers:
– Compliant Containers are released from Customs Control.
– Released Container is acknowledged and exited through the gate.
For Non-Compliant Containers:
– At the end of each day, a list of suspected containers is forwarded to the Terminal Operator.
– Terminal Operator positions them for physical examination on the request of the Declarant.
– Officers on Recheck duty examine the suspected containers.
– Examination is submitted to the Scanner Manager for further action.
– Released Container is acknowledged and exited through the Gate.
While giving approval for the launch and implementation of these innovative trade facilitation tools, the Comptroller General, Customs, (CGC), Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) expressed the hope that these tools will eliminate incumbrances being currently experienced by international trade actors in Nigeria.
He calls on stakeholders to support the Service in its drive to deliver Customs best practices to the nation.
