ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Customs has introduced artificial intelligence and machine-learning tools in the Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) Risk Management System in line with the international best practice with assistance of the World Customs Organisation.

The July 2021 figures revealed that more than half of the import consignments and majority of export shipments are cleared by Customs immediately subject to post-clearance verification, according to an official announcement issued on Tuesday.

In addition to quick clearance of exports shipments, WeBOC RMS application has also been extended to duty drawback processing through which a new mechanism of online payments of duty drawback for disbursement directly to the accounts of the exporters by slashing the manual processing and eradicating traditional cheque system.

This has become possible by introducing the scrutiny of duty drawback claims through risk parameters by e-rebate module in RMS. So far Rs16 billion have been paid through e-rebate system providing financial support in times of global pandemic in line with current government policy.

By systematic application of RMS, pre-arrival clearance at sea ports, clearance in sky at airports, and risk based selection of cargo for scanning under Blue channel have also been implemented which have modernised the customs clearance process in the country.

Pakistan Customs is also working to develop an Integrated Risk management System (IRMS) through Pakistan Single Window the programme by which trade regulatory bodies will be processing the certifications through single integrated platform. This will bring the transformation in trading across the borders landscape and contribute immensely to the economic growth and national development of Pakistan.

Pakistan Customs under comprehensive Customs Reforms Programme has successfully implemented a number of trade facilitation initiatives which have made cross border trade easier and have contributed significantly in reduction of the time and cost of doing business in country, added the announcement.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2021