Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 21, 2019 (SKNIS): To ensure all CARICOM Member States are fully apprised of the Advanced Cargo Information Systems (ACIS) and to support a successful implementation, CARICOM IMPACS hosted a joint communication/sensitization session in St. Kitts and Nevis, on January 18, for the benefit of air carriers, shipping agents and other cargo related stakeholders, as well as customs officials. The session was conducted by Ms. Ezra Gilbert Operator Analyst from CARICOM IMPACS and Mr. Stephan Seepersad, IT Expert from UNCTAD.
The CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) through the support of the 10th European Development Fund has been actively engaged with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in order to facilitate the implementation of the system in the Member States.
This regional centralized system will be fully integrated with the existing ASYCUDA (The Automated System for Customs Data) systems currently operational in all Member States. This will allow for the electronic submission of all cargo manifest seamlessly to the regional centralized system.
The Advanced Cargo Information System (ACIS) forms a critical part of the World Customs Organization’s SAFE Framework of standards and therefore assists participating countries standardize and harmonize their electronic cargo information to facilitate regional trade.
According to Ms. Gilbert, one of the objectives for the implementation of this new system is that it will add value to local Customs risk management, thus improving the quality of risk analysis that is done on a national level by sharing information and intelligence with Member States as well as having access to more regional and international databases for information.
The benefits to be gained from the new system by custom officers are real time notification and pre-alerts, access to regional and international sources of intelligence, strengthening local risk management of operations, enhanced information sharing amongst law enforcement agencies, and optimized use of human and financial resources.
The system will also be beneficial to cargo reporters as it will increase efficiency and improve quality assurance.
