{"id":1192,"date":"2025-02-18T08:01:37","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T08:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iaa.org.ua\/en\/?post_type=articles&p=1192"},"modified":"2025-02-18T08:01:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T08:01:37","slug":"customs-modernisation-prospects-and-challenges-on-the-way-to-european-standards","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/iaa.org.ua\/en\/articles\/customs-modernisation-prospects-and-challenges-on-the-way-to-european-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"Customs modernisation: prospects and challenges on the way to European standards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On 31 January, the NGO “Institute of Analytics and Advocacy” in cooperation with the NGO “Technologies of Progress” held an event \u2018Customs Reform in the European Context: Achievements and Challenges”. The event became a platform for discussing the reform of Ukraine’s customs system in line with EU standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first part of the event, Policy and Data Analyst Vitaliy Nabok presented the interim results of the ACCORD project and highlighted aspects of cooperation with NGOs implementing initiatives at the regional level. Vitaliy also discussed the mechanisms of effective coordination between the State Customs Service, business and the public:<\/p>\n\n\n

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“Coordination can be seen as a continuous process of searching for several elements. First of all, it is a search for players or actors – those parties that have the desire and ability to influence the process of change. The next step is to identify problems, i.e. challenges that need to be addressed jointly. The third element is to define the goals of all participants in the process. The fourth element is to find common ground between different parties, which often have different interests and visions of the situation. Finally, the fifth element is to find solutions that are acceptable and effective for all parties involved. It is this structured approach that will allow for systematic work to establish coordination.<\/p>

If the coordination mechanism works properly, new opportunities open up for each of the parties involved. For the State Customs Service, it is primarily the standardisation of processes and the improvement of the quality of control and information exchange. For businesses, the key benefits include taking feedback into account, a better understanding of customs requirements and procedures, as well as cost savings and faster operations. For the public, we see opportunities for public scrutiny, increased accessibility, and enhanced consumer protection.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Robert Zeldy, Chief Customs Expert, presented another ACCORD project outcome – a system of KPIs (key performance indicators) for customs authorities to assess their performance:<\/p>\n\n\n

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“The right KPIs are not about \u2018fulfilling the plan\u2019, but about changing the very logic of customs work. From one-off figures to dynamic indicators. From fiscal pressure to a balance between control and trade. From closed bureaucracy to transparent and understandable metrics. From the number of inspections to the quality of their results.<\/p>

What KPIs do we need to make customs work efficiently, transparently and effectively? We have divided all the key performance indicators of the customs into four broad categories that correspond to the dimensions of the WCO (World Customs Organisation) Performance Measurement Mechanism – fiscal area, trade facilitation, effectiveness of detecting offences and the importance of organisational resilience.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Henrik Guitfeldt noted that Ukraine has made significant progress over the past year, and this was recognised by the European Commission. In particular, Title 29 \u2018Customs Union\u2019 was one of the 4 areas rated the highest in the European Commission’s Enlargement Report for Ukraine 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discussion of customs reform was joined by: <\/p>\n\n\n\n