BY RAFIULLAH BANGASH (ASSISTANT COLLECTOR): As part of its reform and modernization efforts, the erstwhile Central Board of Revenue (CBR) under the banner of Customs Administrative Reforms (CARE) which replaced decades old, notoriously inefficient, manual system into a progressive computerized clearance system capable of catering to the present day demands of huge volume of cross border and international trade. With web based interactive computerized clearance system called Pakistan Automated Customs Clearance System (PaCCS). All functions of customs were brought online accessible through the World Wide Web. The whole operation was brought to one window working round the clock. All operations, right from Vessel Intimation Report filed by the Shipping Lines to filing of Goods Declarations by the importers/ exporters or their clearing agents, was handled by the customs officials from the comfort of their offices at any point of time suited to them through the web.
However, a dispute with the foreign vendor of the PaCCS software, led to a disruption, and then a rather unexpected complete shutdown of the PaCCS software followed. This posed a great challenge to FBR and its Customs wing as seamless transition of business to another computerized clearance system was immediately required without any problem for the country’s cross border trade of around $40 billion. This challenging task was assigned to a team of experienced and dedicated officers of Customs and PRAL, a subsidiary of the FBR. The team members worked day and night and developed a totally indigenous software called Web Based One Customs (WeBOC) at a cost which was far less than the monthly charges which the FBR had been paying to the foreign owners of the erstwhile PaCCS.
Prior to the introduction of the computerized clearance system, import and export consignments waited at the port for clearance for as long as seven days on an average. The new clearance system has drastically reduced this waiting time known as ‘dwell time’. Besides bringing down the ‘dwell time’ of the consignments at port, the important feature of the system is that importers/ exporters or their clearing agents are no more required to come to the customs stations either for submission or processing of their Goods Declarations (GDs). All declarations and supporting documents, if any, that are required for the purpose of assessment for clearance of cargo, are received electronically on the web, and hence, there is no interaction between the taxpayer and tax collector. This has made the customs clearance process more efficient and transparently.
WeBOC is an interactive system and works in a completely paperless manner. In case an assessment or examination is required on some occasion, the same are done online and each operation is also reported to the trader online. It is important to mention here that examinations are done by the Customs with the assistance of the Terminal Operators and at no stage the importers/exporters or their clearing agents are required to come to the Port, as was the case previously. Similarly the traders or their agents are not required to come to Customs House for the processing of documents which was a norm in the erstwhile manual system.
As mentioned earlier, WeBOC is a one-window system. One can enter into the portal of WeBOC by clicking on the link www.weboc.gov.pk and carry out all his activities related to Customs from anywhere in Pakistan. All one requires is a User ID, a computer and an Internet connection. The business community can avail the services of WeBOC 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Given the success of the system at KICT, PICT and QICT, the WeBOC system has now been rolled out to whole of the country with all international airports and dry ports switching to WeBOC. It is hoped that soon cross border trade between Pakistan and its neighbouring countries will be done through the WeBOC system.
In line with the policy of the government, WeBOC places complete trust in traders involved in the import/ export business. It is primarily a self-assessment system and Customs does not interfere in the process of discharge of the legal liabilities of importers regarding duties and taxes. The importers/exporters calculate and discharge their legal liabilities themselves before submitting their declaration to Customs over the web. On submission of the declaration to Customs an instant online receipt in the shape of Customs Reference Number (CRN) is generated. The moment a CRN is allotted, the RMS commences the processing of declaration.
We believe that import and export is done largely by responsible and legitimate businesses and normally do not pose any threat to the country or the exchequer. In such a situation, cargo is cleared and the importers/ exporters are intimated online. The process may take less than 30 minutes. In case any consignment is selected for compliance check by the system, certain services such as physical examination of goods, scanning and sample drawl are provided. Nevertheless, the processing systems are highly sophisticated and meticulously designed to detect and prevent illicit practices. In order to avoid delays and inconvenience, correct and careful declaration is always advised. Manifest information are keyed in online or uploaded to WeBOC directly using the MDB data structure provided on website.
However, like all automated systems, WeBOC also requires constant up gradation and improvement. Part of this up gradation is technical which means that the underlying architecture of the system needs to be revised and brought at par with the modern systems that are being introduced around the world using more advanced software while part of it relates to revising and revamping the customs processes and procedures to make them compliant with our international commitments such as the Revised Kyoto Protocol, WTO trade agreement and various international trade agreements. WeBOC aims to address these goals in its ‘Version 2’. Moreover, as the system develops, focus is shifting from simply automation of manual procedures to making them more efficient to reduce time and costs for the trade. This will require significant business process reengineering.
WeBOC is not only a customs clearance system but it also aims to morph into a national single window integrating all stakeholders concerned with the import/ export of goods into a unified web portal. Initial steps have already been taken in this regard with WeBOC providing connectivity to port authorities, National Bank of Pakistan, IRS, the FBR, and the Engineering Development Board. Other ministries such as the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Climate Control will soon become part of WeBOC to perform their respective functions.
WeBOC is Pakistan’s own indigenously developed software and a good example of successful project management and execution. Its broad based consultative process ensures that all stakeholders are on board and willing to implement the new changes introduced in the system.