Stage set for paperless customs processes

In order to help the government and the private sectors prepare for the National Single Window (NSW) - coming up next year - the Customs Department will next month announce fully paperless e-import and e-export processes for exporters and importers. The department also plans to run a pilot e-licensing project with five government agencies in September.

The Customs Department's expert on application systems Chantana Yiengsubhanond said the department will lead the development of the NSW. Exporters and importers will be able to contact the Customs Department through the NSW's paperless services.

 The ICT Ministry is funding the NSW project and all services are expected to be operational by 2010. The full scope of the project includes setting up the network infrastructure which will enable communication between businesses and 28 government agencies related to the export and import business through a single window.

 As the first step, the department will start providing paperless services for exporters and importers by next month.

The department recently announced the commencement of registration for exporters and importers across the Kingdom.

 "The paperless services will reduce the complexity of the documentation process while reducing the time and cost of operation. It will also increase the accuracy of invoice and document generation, as well as increase transparency," Chantana said.

She said that as the second step, the department will collaborate with five government agencies, including the Industrial Works Department, the Board of Investment, the Mineral Fuels Department, the Energy Business Department and the Foreign Trade Department to provide e-licensing paperless services. With these services, exporters and importers will be able to apply for a rule-of-origin certificate for products through the electronic network.

"We will first conduct data harmonisation and create a data standard for government agencies," Chantana said.