Customs Authority: The ASYCUDA system has increased revenue volume, and rates are expected to rise in the coming period.
Customs Authority: The ASYCUDA system has increased revenue volume, and rates are expected to rise in the coming period.
2026-02-15
The Customs Authority confirmed on Sunday that the ASYCUDA system currently used in customs work calculates fees based on weight and number. While noting that the ASYCUDA system has increased revenue, it expected rates to increase in the coming period. The head of the authority, Thamer Qasim, told the official agency that “the ASYCUDA system is based on weight and number,” explaining that “some goods are measured by number when calculating customs duty, while other materials depend on weight, as this requires more information about the goods.”
He also pointed out that “the fixed fee was adopted by a decision in 2014, which led to congestion at the port, as previously, regardless of its weight or contents, a fee of 3,000,000 dinars was paid for each container, whereas today the global customs system relies on weight and number for customs clearance.”
He added that “previously, a container and its contents were subject to a fee of 3,000,000 dinars, whether its value was $1,000,000 or the goods in the container were worth $10,000, which is not fair, unscientific, and internationally unacceptable.”
He also explained that “the fixed fee was adopted during a period when work was done on paper and there was no automation system, and it was a temporary and ill-considered phase,” stressing that “there is no longer a need to adopt the fixed fee.”
He pointed out that “this type of fee is used in underdeveloped countries plagued by corruption and unable to control border crossings lacking an electronic system, and it also exposes the country to international criticism.” He confirmed that “the revenue collected up to yesterday reached 200 billion dinars, with expectations of increased rates in the coming period,” noting “the renewal of procedures and the establishment of a fourth checkpoint yesterday at the Baba Mahmoud customs office near the Kurdistan Region.”
burathanews.com
