DOHA: Qatar hopes to launch a single-window customs clearance system in two months, The Peninsula has reliably learnt.
Once in place, the new system will allow importers to initiate customs clearance procedures from anywhere in the world online.
Sources told The Peninsula yesterday that the new system might be launched about two months from now, while the formal launch may be scheduled by the year-end.
About the launch in two months, a source close to the decision-makers in the Customs Authority, however, clarified: "This is only a possibility... Right now training of personnel and technical work is going on."
"We might throw the site (a reference to the online clearance system) open to importers a little after Eid Al Fitr, but this is tentative," the source said.
He added: "We are busy finalising the preparations for the (informal) launch... We are giving final touches. A formal launch might be lined up by the year-end."
A highlight of the new system would be that emails and text messages would be sent to importers to help them progressively follow up the various stages of customs procedures.
The system will considerably minimise the time and efforts required for clearing imported goods from customs checkpoints in the country.
The aim is to adopt international best practices in applying risk management standards and simplify procedures for importers, senior customs officials said while addressing a seminar here yesterday.
The two-day seminar, which began yesterday, is being conducted to raise public awareness about the proposed system.
"The objective of launching the new system is to create an environment of cooperation between the customs department and the private sector," speakers told the symposium.
Unified customs procedures in the single-window system for all customs checkpoints will be a highlight of the new system.
The system will allow for faster approvals online from other government agencies which are involved in customs clearance. Speakers said they hoped the new system would help accelerate economic development in the country and aid world trade as well.
The ministries involved are public health, economy and finance, interior, foreign affairs, defense, environment, business and trade, municipality and urban planning, energy and industry, culture, arts and heritage and awqaf and Islamic affairs.
Others entities involved include the Civil Aviation Authority, Qatar Airways, Radio and TV Corporation, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Company for Ports Management.
Qatar launched computerized customs clearance system way back in 1994 and updated the clearance system to meet the requirements of the GCC Customs Union and the World Customs Organization on January 1, 2004.
© The Peninsula 2010
