SMUGGLERS BEWARE, WARNS PM TUILAEPA
By: Asenati Taugasolo Semu
Undeclared imported goods including illegal contrabands will be under the electronic microscope thanks to the $150 million tala plus vision initiated by Government and supported the Asian Development Bank to detain the illegal importation of all goods across the board.
Classified as the ‘Enhancing the Safety, Security and Sustainability of the Apia Port (ESSAP), the project will see for the first Samoa equipped with the x-ray container scanner.
Visited by the Cabinet Development Committee (CDC) last Friday led by the Prime Minister the X-ray scanner will greatly assist with:
• The detection of illicit narcotic methamphetamine and cannabis and cocaine
• Interception of illegal firearms and non-compliance importation of firearms
• The emergence of new criminal activities such as ATM Skimming and financial fraud, false invoicing
• Undeclared commercial goods and undervaluation of commercial goods
• The detection in undeclared cash carried across borders
• The exportation of protected species such as sea cucumbers
• Non-compliance of importers and customs brokers, shipping agents and others
“Samoa Customs plays a critical role in the National Security of Samoa and undertakes a huge responsibility in ensuring that measures are in place to filter the legitimate movement of people and goods through the borders from the illegitimate and criminal offending,” said Prime Minister Tuilaepa on site during the CDC visit.
On that same note, he reminded Customs and relevant officials to refrain from aiding criminal operations because in the end, the truth will be revealed.
According to the Ministry of Customs and Revenue, (MCR) the majority of imported cargo enters Samoa through the Port of Samoa in Apia.
“The Ministry realizes that non-compliance issues based on undervaluation and undeclared goods (smuggling) and perceives revenue loss due to high levels of non-compliance by importers is a continuous risk. This is due to tariffs being calculated based on undervalued declarations submitted to Customs by importers. As a member of the WCO, Customs is required to implement the strategy “Customs in the 21st Century”.
The Ministry of Customs and Revenue intends to build on the elements of both the WTO and WCO international standards using the following blocks.”
These are some areas that can be improved by the use of the X-ray scanner.
1. Globally Networked Customs
2. Better coordinated border management
3. Intelligence-driven risk management
4. Customs-trade partnership
5. Implementation of modern working methods, procedures and techniques
6. Enabling technology and tools
7. Enabling powers
8. A professional knowledge-based service culture
9. Capacity building
10. Integrity
This is a global unique mandate for all customs administrations to provide increased security to the global supply chain and to contribute to the socio economic development through revenue collection and trade facilitation.
Samoa Customs has undertaken a transformation which has been inclusive of development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), improve infrastructure, increase capacity building of staff, and additional enforcement division, to name a few, as to counter emerging challenges and rapid changes in its operational environment.
