Digitalization of Air Cargo and Passenger Movement at Jinnah International Airport Karachi

Customs Service of Pakistan not only being a vibrant department of Government but also a member of World Customs Organization (WCO) has always responded well with the changing dynamics of world. It has been striving in every possible manner to attain benchmark of International standards and best practices already applied by developed countries, but has taken a step ahead in generating web based system according to indigenous requirements for ensuring speedy clearances without compromising on prevention on illicit trade.
Genesis and evolution of Technology in Customs is not a recent endeavor but evolved over decades starting with Appraiser Guidance System, Statistical Report System, Batch Data entry System developed in 1980's to the introduction of On-line Transaction Processing system (OLTP) in 1990's. Pakistan Customs Service entered 21st century by launching Second phase of digitalization and implemented One Customs System initially and then rolled out Pakistan Customs Computerized System (PACCS) in 2005. However, Customs intelligentsia highlighted the need of an indigenous web based system for clearances of Cargo providing single window operation for all the stakeholders and for the ultimate facilitation of trade in toto. With this backdrop, Web based One Customs (WeBOC) was developed in Islamabad in 2009 and was rolled out country-wide in 2013.
The launching of WeBOC was not restricted to land stations and Sea ports but was further extended to Air Freight Unit, Karachi on Feb, 28th, 2013 as well being the mini Appraisement function that it performs. This launch brought multifarious benefits to the traders who are interested in importing consignments of urgent nature and are ready to pay relatively higher freight as that of Sea route. Such imports include Pharmaceutical raw material, Human organs for transplant, artificial Body Parts for instant surgeries, international newspapers, perishable items, wild life animals and such items that need immediate clearances which would had only been possible with the implementation of advanced web based system that must had the capacity to cater different requirements. Under WeBOC, now feeding of data is on real time basis and post entry mechanism is abandoned with.
Now all transactions are online from Manifest filing of Airlines to goods declaration. All customs Processes performed on real time basis by Customs Staff where every business process is so transparent and efficient where all the assessment is done based on examination report and images uploaded. Risk management System works behind the system which helped in reduction of steps in the clearance of Cargo. Clearance mechanism is based on FIFO (First in, First Out) giving rise to judicial, impartial and quick clearances. Whole process of adjudication by the authorities is online. It gives a facility to have a complete log of all activities ensuring strict controls. Total number of GDs file uptill now under WeBOC for AFU is 1,53,240.
The new concept of EDI is incorporated in it to have communication with remote users like custodian of goods through EDI. This transparent system based on real time helped minimize the dwell time and decrease cost of doing business for industries and business concerns. The performance level of staff working at Air Freight Unit has increased positively and substantially, which helped customs clearance time to reduce from days to hours. Import and Exports steps which needed to get cleared from multi-steps to single step. This single window manages to establish link with stakeholders conveniently by having Port community information exchange i-e E- docs exchange with importers, exporters, Clearing Agents, Airlines.
Digitalization is a continuing procedure and Pakistan customs service has undergone various ventures in modernization of remaining business processes. One such recent endeavour is Filling of IGM (Import General Manifest) under WeBOC which has been launched On Jan, 6th, 2015. Prior to that Airlines manifests were fed in the system of One Customs anytime after the landing of the Aircraft without any limitation of time to declare manifest which is now duly checked under the system of WeBOC and now Airlines based on Advanced Information Report (AIR) of the arriving aircraft feeds manifest within 22 hours of flight. No entry now can be made by Airline after expiry of the allocated time. The system accepts amendment by the Airlines within the stipulated time allocated for the purpose and not beyond. This change has provided the authorities to establish a mechanism of checks and balances. In addition to that, now manifests are fed in time early which helped importers filing Goods Declaration early, resulting reduced dwell time of clearances.
WeBOC facility on November 1st, 2014 was extended to all imports excluding courier consignments processed through ICG (Immediate Clearance Group) being a vital segment of AFU. However, in the wave of recent events, Clearance of Courier Service through WeBOC is another milestone in the history of Air Freight Unit.
DHL Air Side Facility which had already been declared as a Customs Port/ Station for clearance of goods imported and exported by air and DHL Pakistan and Pakistan Customs who are signatories of MOU for in house Export Customs clearance at Karachi gateway for outbound shipments to support the launch of In house Export processing of all Air Express shipments at DHL Airside facility at JIAP, Karachi. It was a pioneering step to keep in stride with the global business requirements and further augmented the commitment of Pakistan Customs to support change and align it with international trends in declaring Pakistan Customs a dynamic and adaptive department. This public- private partnership of DHL with Customs for In house clearance has facilitated the clientele/ people with streamlined customs clearance, effective tracking of shipments and with reduced transit times.
Prospects for advancements in the way of digitalization are continuously being explored and implemented in every best possible way to have governmental, national and international connectivity.
On August 17th, 2015 Pakistan Customs and International Air Transport Association (IATA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on technical co-operation for the implementation of Air Cargo XML and Advance Passenger Information (API) standards. It is a multimodal system based on Standards defined by World Customs Organization and UN/EDIFACT. This MOU is a step ahead in the digitalization of Air Cargo and Passenger Movement. It will enable the enforcement authorities to receive information about Passengers and goods in advance.
This two-prong achievement in the form of MOU provides the Development of Cargo XML facility that would reduce dwell time of Cargo imported through Air shipment and reduce cost of doing business, which would in turn have greater macroeconomic advantages on the one hand. On the other hand API system will transmit comprehensive details of a passenger before boarding to a flight, which would forestall risks and indeed will enable law enforcement agencies like Pakistan Customs to provide better facilitation to genuine Passengers and to check the culprits. It also provides a mechanism to comply with global security standards especially for identifying persons on the watch list. The existing system PNR (Passenger Name Record) does not provide detailed information about the Passenger.
The development of EDI, simultaneously with the MOU on technical Cooperation for implementation of Electronic Data Interface (EDI) standards in Cargo manifestation under the scheme is another step towards Trade and Passenger Facilitation and will help generate more Revenue and will also curb smuggling and under invoicing. These standards are in compliance with United Nations and International Security Standards and will enable Pakistan Customs to further modernize its functions to facilitate trade and enhance its enforcement capacity.
Pakistan Customs Service being an active member of WCO is working for "Digital Customs" which is International Customs Day Slogan declared by WCO for year 2016.Pakistan Customs has always been a great proponent of progression through use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). By Digitalization Pakistan Customs endeavors to upgrade already developed web based system to incorporate all business processes in order to ensure transparent and speedy clearances of legitimate trade and to play its due role in enhancing Economic prospects nationally by promoting trade and to achieve aligned International goals of electronic exchange of information, border security, collection of international trade statistics by embracing digitalization to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in all respects.
(The Writer is Additional Collector AFU/JIAP)