The adoption of the UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) has enabled Pacific countries to transition from manual, paper-based customs processes to streamlined, digital systems.
This year, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands implemented UNCTAD’s ASYCUDAWorld system.
Ahead of the implementation, the countries spent over two years providing customs staff with the knowledge, equipment and skills needed to transition to the new way of working.
Following the rollout, countries experienced significant improvements to customs processes, helping to facilitate a growth in international trade.
The three Pacific countries from the Micronesian region can now benefit from increased government revenue, reliable trade data, reduced bureaucracy, lower customs clearance costs, and improved inter-agency coordination, among others.
In the Republic of Palau alone, revenue collection has surged by 20% since January 2024 compared to the same period last year.
According to Mr. John Tarkong Jr. the Director of the Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 39% of total government revenue is collected by customs.
“Palau has 297 ASYCUDAWorld users and the system has been consistently enabling efficient customs clearances.” This has reduced clearance times significantly from one day to an hour or two.
Business leaders like Mr. Deepak Buxani of Globus Trading Company in Palau, said “Businesses anticipated annual savings of approximately $1,000 due to reduced paperwork requirements” thanks to there being “no printing or photocopies required since everything is maintained electronically.”
The Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection has also noted significant improvements in compliance, particularly regarding the timely submission of essential documents and declarations.
Additionally, Mr. Randy Sue, the Assistant Secretary, Customs and Tax Administration, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), remarked that despite the geographic remoteness among islands and areas, ASYCUDAWorld was highly effective in connecting trading communities with customs. Mr. Sue added, “The system made clearance of goods easier and faster including in these remote islands.”
The adoption of the UN Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) has enabled Pacific countries to transition from manual, paper-based customs processes to streamlined, digital systems.
This year, the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands implemented UNCTAD’s ASYCUDAWorld system.
Ahead of the implementation, the countries spent over two years providing customs staff with the knowledge, equipment and skills needed to transition to the new way of working.
Following the rollout, countries experienced significant improvements to customs processes, helping to facilitate a growth in international trade.
The three Pacific countries from the Micronesian region can now benefit from increased government revenue, reliable trade data, reduced bureaucracy, lower customs clearance costs, and improved inter-agency coordination, among others.
In the Republic of Palau alone, revenue collection has surged by 20% since January 2024 compared to the same period last year.
According to Mr. John Tarkong Jr. the Director of the Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, 39% of total government revenue is collected by customs.
“Palau has 297 ASYCUDAWorld users and the system has been consistently enabling efficient customs clearances.” This has reduced clearance times significantly from one day to an hour or two.
Business leaders like Mr. Deepak Buxani of Globus Trading Company in Palau, said “Businesses anticipated annual savings of approximately $1,000 due to reduced paperwork requirements” thanks to there being “no printing or photocopies required since everything is maintained electronically.”
The Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection has also noted significant improvements in compliance, particularly regarding the timely submission of essential documents and declarations.
Additionally, Mr. Randy Sue, the Assistant Secretary, Customs and Tax Administration, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), remarked that despite the geographic remoteness among islands and areas, ASYCUDAWorld was highly effective in connecting trading communities with customs. Mr. Sue added, “The system made clearance of goods easier and faster including in these remote islands.”