Certain International Aspects of Customs Modernization Process

Customs administrations are core governmental institutions directly involved in international trade relations. The rapid growth of international trade in value and especially in volume terms, on the one, and the social safety and security challenges particularly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, on the other hand, impose a process of redefining the role and the way of managing and processing of everyday activities in Customs. The main functions of the Customs administrations as revenue collection, trade protection, law compliance and control of goods, have been amended with trade facilitation and ensuring social security and safety. Customs modernization as a part of trade facilitation agenda represents a process that put in place a well functioning customs administration that provides traders with transparent, predictable, and speedy clearance of goods. This paper aims to analyse certain international efforts which have been made in Customs modernization process such as legal improvements, risk management and simplified procedures, with emphasizing the results in trading across borders.