The Changing Role of Customs: Customs Aligning With Supply Chain and Information Management

Abstract

The World Customs Organization (WCO) Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade (SAFE) introduced concepts of supply chain supervision and authorised operator schemes. While it has been implemented in many countries, supply chain supervision still requires further exploration and development. In this article we present a vision on how the role of Customs could change in the coming years, taking into account innovations in supply chain management and information technology. We present how the Customs Administration of The Netherlands adapts their supervision, based on these innovations. The innovations range from the data pipeline to collect extra data to cross-validate customs declarations, the use of big data and data analytics, new advances in detection technology, handheld apps to check goods and drones to support surveillance.