Transit Customs Regime Diagnosis and Recommendations ... - MCLI

Draft Report for SSATP –MCLI Mozambique Transit Regime Project
While this study focuses primarily on transit cargo, some of the recommendations raised encompass
general procedures such as the pre-clearance of cargo as this relates to all cargo
being transported via Mozambique.
The largest single cost, time and complexity contributor relates to the interpretation and
implementation of the current customs transit regime and the following 18 tables will
demonstrate this. This study has been done in collaboration with the Policy and Procedures
Department of the Mozambique Customs and recommendations for changes are being tabled
for review.
It is to be noted that Mozambique Customs have already identified that legislation, processes
and procedures require review and the Single Electronic Window System (SEWS) is in
advanced stages of piloting its first phase. With the Single Electronic Window System in place,
many of the issues in terms of time delays and efficiencies should be solved as the acquittal
time frame will be reduced from 10 days to 2 days; pre-clearance as well as partial manifest
clearance will be facilitated, to name but some of the practical improvements.
The aim of the Single Electronic Window System Project 10 :
Provides a centralized electronic platform for trade;
Reduces clearance times at land borders, port and airports;
Increases revenue collection and;
Reduces the cost of doing business in Mozambique.
Provides real time tracking of all customs operations and ensure secure information about
customs clearance process for each and any consignment;
Insures the implementation of administrative and customs procedures;
Centralizes and consolidates all the supply chain information;
Compares expected data with real data and reveals discrepancies;
A major factor to consider with this study is that South Africa has a coastline with its own ports
and shippers are not subject to any of the inherent complexities associated with a transit regime
that land-locked countries have. While the streamlining and adopting of WCO, GATT, SADC
and other global standards for a transit regime is essential as Mozambican ports serve many
land-locked countries, when trying to attract South African cargo where shippers do not have to
10 Presented by SeWS team at stakeholder workshop 5 October 2011
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