International trade : Fast-track for clean operators
With the introduction of a new reference system dedicated to all means of transport and compulsory identification of drivers, the Customs Administration aims to further streamline goods clearance operations
Following on from the triptych introduced a few years ago, the Customs Administration has now moved on to a new stage in the streamlining of customs clearance procedures. It has just launched a new reference system dedicated to international road haulage (TIR) operators. Customs, which has just issued a circular to this effect, together with the operating procedure, had begun working on the system several months ago, in consultation with the professionals concerned. The new standards apply to all means of transport, as well as to drivers.
The old reference system, which did not provide as much information and has shown its limitations, will not be abolished immediately. It will be maintained for a transitional period of three months from the date of issue of the Customs circular, which is dated July 11. The aim is to give operators the time they need to enter the data required by Customs to feed the new system. After this deadline, around mid-October, only those operators who have signed up to the new system will benefit from the facilities granted to them during custom clearance operations.
The new system consists precisely in deploying a green circuit to international trade operators who use the services of stakeholders categorized as “authorized economic operators” (drivers, freight forwarders, consignees). The new system also consists in keeping an eye on high-risk operators.
One of the main new features of the standard is the requirement to enter all information concerning international drivers. The aim of this obligation is to make drivers of vehicles dedicated to international road transport more accountable. Until now, it was virtually impossible to determine the identity of drivers in the event of a problem.
In addition, the new system will enable greater traceability of goods flows, linking them to carriers, goods, forwarders, and drivers alike, thanks to the cross-referencing of information from the new platform created within the Badr system. The new platform will also make it possible to identify not only goods entering or leaving Morocco, but also the vehicles used and the international drivers involved in their transport. Truckers are therefore required now to choose their partners.
Hassan EL ARIF
