Dubai Customs records big jump in number of e-Clearance transactions

In the last quarter ending September 2005; 485,7 thousand bills were processed electronically compared to that of 304.7 thousand in same period during 2004.

e-Mirsal forms the core foundation of the e-Clearance solution implemented by the authority; it was developed and integrated into Dubai Customs' business processes in 2002 to streamline trade facilitation and digitise customs procedures in order to promote enhanced compliance and administrative efficiency. e-Clearance, which is built on a robust web platform allows accredited customers to complete the Bill of Entry (BoE) and other related documents of their cargo manifest online, facilitating faster clearance of goods from the authority.

Commenting on the figures Ahmed Abdullah Bin Lahej, Senior Manager -Industry Compliance, Dubai Customs said,

"e-Clearance facility was developed as a part of the strategic plan being executed by Dubai Customs to nurture the flourishing trade activities in Dubai. The initiative is demonstrative of our efforts to deliver advanced services to our customers, we are pleased with the tremendous response and we will strive to provide them with the best solutions that simplify customs routines and enhances instant deliveries which are important for trade and industry in a rapidly expanding market place and economy."

"e-Clearance is enabling Dubai Customs to set the procedural benchmarks for pre-arrival data processing, simplified declaration, control and facilitation, and cost effective implementation in the region. The project is in line with the vision of the Government of Dubai to provide better services to the public by using e-Governance and its strategic goal of delivering digital governance," he added.

e-Clearance facility which can be accessed from www.dubaitrade.ae, an innovative portal that integrates all electronic service offerings provided by PCFC and delivers several benefits to the customers as well as the authority by being the key enabler for faster document processing and quicker response to BoE enquiries. The e-Clearance facility is operational 24 hours and reduces pressure and queues on the counters by transferring the BoE process to the customer; thus, saving time, resources and costs. The system would be easily able to cater to increased transactional volumes with minimal or no increase in the resources from either the authority or the customer.

"Security is at the core of the systems with a powerful and adaptable risk analysis engine that screens consignment based on statistical analysis, pre-defined risk profiles based on multiple parameters and random on the spot checks. Once the customer enters the relevant data into the system, a process which takes less than five minutes, the Risk Engine screens the information and forwards it to the e-Clearance cell which tags the consignment as cleared or vice versa. The customers can collect the cleared goods from the nearest Dubai Customs Centre within two days of the date of clearance," added Bin Lahej.

Shipping and clearing companies, free zone licensees, local import companies, government organizations and local industries have benefited greatly from the system.