The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has made further revisions to its Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) as they relate to the processing of imports and exports and to the structure of the Goods Examination Unit (GEU), in order to deliver a more efficient service.
A release from the GRA said that these changes included an increase in the number of the staff of the GEU and the separation of the functions relating to imports and exports.
Steps have also been taken to ensure that the risk profile only reflects the involvement of the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) in selected cases, minimising and reserving the need to have collaboration only when the situation so warrants.
The steps, the GRA said, come following sentiments expressed by President Donald Ramotar and private sector organisations for a further reduction of the time it takes to process exports.
The GRA release pointed out that in the past, declarations lodged with customs took at least two weeks to be processed. In 2012, 96% of over 70,000 declarations were processed within three working days. This was as a result of alignment and simplification of processes, more effective use of technology and regular training of officers to build competence and improve efficiency.
The GRA reminded that to save time and provide importers and exporters with real-time information about the status of their declarations, screens had been installed at the customs department and wharves. This was in addition to a computer that is available for importers and exporters to obtain information about their declaration status by simply utilising their TIN or declaration reference number. In December 2012, the system was further modernised to enable importers/exporters to check via computers or smart phones, the status of their declarations.
It informed that in order to facilitate trade in an expeditious manner, while protecting revenue, the GRA has made significant changes to its business and processing model. The GRA has established a Risk Management Unit that applies risk profiles to determine the level of examination needed, based on the risk posed to revenue collection. Legitimate cargo can then be processed expeditiously while cargo that poses a higher level of risk undergoes further scrutiny to detect customs fraud and other transactional crimes.
The release said that the GRA has recognised that streamlining and simplifying clearance procedures benefited its stakeholders and the national economy by achieving the goal of efficient and effective clearance procedures, while executing its mandatory duties of revenue collection and enforcement activities.
The Goods Examination Unit is tasked with the responsibility of the examination of all goods imported or prepared for export profiled with some level of risk. Apparently not all goods are subject to 100% examination. The process includes mandatory scanning of containerised cargo for export in keeping with US maritime laws, which may lead to secondary/physical examination depending on the level of risk.
The release said that the Drug Enforcement Unit has officers who are trained to check for illicit drugs in cargo being imported or exported, while the GEU examines commercial cargo profiled by the Risk Management Unit. It should also be noted that importers and exporters are required to schedule examinations for specific dates and times, after which, officers are assigned to carry out their duties.
The GRA noted that the systems implemented for checks and balances are there to safeguard against the ingenious and sophisticated methods utilised by criminals to perpetuate transnational crimes, inclusive of concealment in empty containers. These have led to various discoveries of illicit drugs in containers for export.
The release said that recognising the need to protect legitimate exports, trading partners and Guyana’s image, the Government of Guyana had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) to establish the Container Control Programme (CCP) which brings together trained officers from Customs, Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) to improve port security and prevent lawful maritime cargo containers from being used for unlawful activities.
The GRA and its stakeholders meet regularly to address matters of interest through the Trade Transaction Private Partnership Dialogue Body (PPDB) which includes the Private Sector Commis-sion, Shipping Association and others. The PPDB’s mission is to improve the competitiveness of Guyana’s economy and its business by reducing the time and cost involved in the processing the import and export of goods.
The release also said that the GRA remains committed to finding solutions to enable Customs to balance its controls and collections functions with trade facilitation. The merger of the GRA operations at one location in Camp Street, Georgetown will result in greater efficiency and enhanced customer service and should also reduce the time it takes to do business.
