Greek Customs Reform

Transcription

1 Greek Customs Reform G R E E C E N A T I O N A L T R A D E F A C I L I T A T I O N R O A D M A P T U N I S 2-3 J U N E GREECE at a glance Population mi GDP $241.7 bil GDP growth -3.9% Inflation -0.9% 13 1

2 Customs Offices Some statistics (2013) Number of Export Declarations 351,028 Number of Import Declarations 288,025 Number of low value export declarations 16,097 Number of low value import declarations 73,817 Customs Revenue Collection 12 billion euro 2

3 How all this reform started? PILOT CUSTOMS project Key achievements Reforms and Challenges Improvements and Next steps How all this reform started? 3

4 The Landscape in 2012 World Bank Doing Business Doing Business 100 Trading Across Borders 84 Time to Export (days) 20 Cost to Export ($ per container) 1153 Time to Import (days) 25 Cost to Import($ per container) 1265 LPI (Logistics Performance Indicator) 69 Customs 94 Logistics 73 Year 2012 How all this reform started? In July 2012 the TF Workshop in Athens set the basis of developing a National Strategy on Exports In October 2012 a selected team of Greek Experts along with TFGR, UNECE advisors and Experts of other EU and non-eu countries set the vision, the objectives, the KPIs and the action plans to boost exports In November 2012 the TF Roadmap is a fact and it is communicated publicly in a press conference by the Greek Government 4

5 July 2012 Oct 2012 Nov 2012 Launch of a holistic trade facilitation reform programme ( Roadmap ) The reform aimed mainly to reduce time to export by 50% costs by 20% by 2015 PILOT CUSTOMS OFFICE Jan 2013 In January 2013 the first action plan is launched It proved to be the real driver of other changes to come Involved great deal of C2B cooperation (port operators, ships agents association, ship suppliers association, customs brokers, individuals) WCO 5

6 ICIS net The question was why did we need a pilot project? ICIS net, the Integrated Information System of Greek Customs Already available for exports since April 2012 In full operation since November 2013 meaning 18 subsystems Key achievements under pilot customs project 6

7 Key achievements Allow presentation of goods to other approved places Request supporting documents only when the RA system indicates documentary control Accept fax, photocopies and scanned supporting documents Establish timer based automated release of low risk declarations Paperless export and Risk Analysis Reach the EU average level of controls Streamline customs working hours with trade needs Harmonize fees and charges with EU best practice 7

8 From 6 to 3 steps The less you intervene the more seamless the trade No physical presence of the trader Electronic Submission Automated release EAD can also be sent by fax/ 8

9 World Bank Doing Business The Milestones Year 2012 Year 2014 Doing Business Trading Across Borders Time to Export (days) Cost to Export ($ per container) LPI (Logistics Performance Indicator) Customs Logistics Reforms and Challenges N O C H A L L E N G E, N O R E F O R M 9

10 Which were the greatest challenges? Resistance to change Legislative issues (particularly with P & R) Support all customs offices Mentality change Customs officers from gatekeepers to trade facilitators How major objectives became achievements? Strong lead agency Political will Clear project plans Strong cooperation with key stakeholders 10

11 Having in mind Strong Lead Agency Right people in the right place Committed and dedicated Enthusiastic Convinced of the need of change A strong, resourceful and empowered lead organization both to launch the project and see it through its various development stages Public and private sector members 11

12 Greek Trade Facilitation Committee (OSC) Private sector members Greek exporters association Hellenic federation of enterprises Customs brokers association Meets every 5 weeks Monitors 7-8 Project teams Customs Agro BPA Legal Communication Political will The Greek authorities are committed towards facilitating trade for exporters 12

13 Establishment of Clear Project Plans Clearly defined scope, deliverables, milestones Based on a careful analysis of the needs and resources of the key stakeholders Active involvement of private sector in all them C2G and C2B Successful reforms need co-operation between agencies within government and also between government and trade. Every Working group under OSC has at least one member from private sector 13

14 C2B Cooperation Customs should understand the needs of business Business should know the requirements of Customs The joint objective to boost exports and modernize Customs was the compass to put these two different roads together And this is how this relationship started to form as partnership How to boost partnership-like relationship? Clearly by establishing trusted persons and authorized economic operators Increase the number of trusted/authorized traders by 50% in two year-time 3 workshops to raise awareness of AEO and SP 14

15 Impact on trade facilitation Customs time to export (no control) 10 minutes Customs time to export (physical control) 60 minutes Cost to export lower 30% In 2,5 year time we saw such an improvement that we haven t seen for 20 years time Improvements and Next steps 15

16 E-Imports Continuous need for continuous improvement Procedural controls (P & R) Electronic Submission of all supporting documents E-payment PCA Single Window (interoperability among MENO and ICISnet systems ) Continuous need for continuous improvement Addressing a constantly changing trade environment Better compliance Improved trade facilitation and security Economic development and social protection 16

17 Contact details Maria VOURNOU Tel Fax Hellenic Ministry of Finance General Secretariat for Public Revenue General Directorate of Customs & Excise Directorate of Customs Procedures Unit A of Customs Procedures & Simplifications 17