Customs denies disruption of ASYCUDA system
Customs denies disruption of ASYCUDA system
08/27/2025
The General Authority of Customs denied circulating reports regarding the existence of any comments on the implementation mechanism of the ASYCUDA Customs Management System, stressing that the procedures followed are clear and well-thought-out, and aim to enhance the efficiency of customs operations and control trade flows.
The authority recently announced the adoption of new inspection procedures that will take between 15 and 30 minutes for each shipment at ports. It criticized some parties that circulated misleading information about the paralysis of business, the accumulation of containers in the welcome yard, and the delay in completing customs procedures at Umm Qasr Port.
Director General of the Authority, Dr. Thamer Qassim, said in a statement to Al-Sabah: The Authority has currently reached the middle of the second phase of implementing the ASYCUDA system, which consists of three stages. The concurrent audit application was adopted at the Grand Welcome Plaza Center, given the importance of this center and the sensitivity of the risks associated with its operations. He explained that the goal of implementing concurrent control is to pave the way for the risk management phase, which will allow companies to be classified according to their degree of commitment and accuracy in declaring the weights and values of goods. He pointed out that the success of these procedures will be reflected in the future in facilitating the movement of trade and accelerating customs clearance operations. Qassim indicated that the system will adopt four tracks for classifying companies. Green includes clearing goods within 5 minutes, orange within 10 minutes, yellow within a maximum of 15 minutes, and red for high-risk companies, and clearance takes from 15 to 30 minutes. He stated that the variation in time is related to the requirements for detailed auditing of goods and accompanying documents, which contributes to early detection of risks and ensuring the smooth flow of customs work.
ASYCUDA is an automated customs management system developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to digitize and simplify import, export, and transit procedures. It is widely used in ports to facilitate international trade, increase transparency, and reduce corruption and bureaucracy. It also contributes to the collection of trade data and economic analysis. Iraq began implementing it in 2023.
alsabaah.iq
