Armenia: Customs Reform
Description
As a part of the Anti-crisis programme 2008-2010 the Government of Armenia undertook the Customs Reform. Thus, with a view to minimizing “the contact area” between importers and customs officers and reduce corruption risks, customs broker’s offices and self-declaration desks are now available at customs houses and warehouses as connected to TWM online customs clearance processing software.
Customs formalities have been simplified by adding such provisions as envisage amending those irregularities detected during post-clearance checkups instead of canceling them. This clause will save importers a lot of time and energy. Risk selection criteria have been revised in the TWM customs clearance software in order to enhance control efficiency by giving it a more targeted and resource-saving bias.
The number of documents needed for import-export-related border-crossing purposes has been reduced to only 3. This will help save a lot of time during the clearance of imported and exported goods
The list of those products subject to mandatory certification at the time of border-crossing was shortened from 65 to only 16 which is supposed to save time.
It is no longer needed to fill in a duty receipt form as duties are currently paid through the banking system, which is supposed to considerably reduce corruption risks among customs officers.
Any Evidence-Based Deliberation:
| Question | Result |
|---|---|
| Is there anything in the public record to suggest that evidence of the effectiveness of the proposed measure was considered during official deliberations? | |
| Is there any evidence that alternatives to the proposed measure were considered? | |
| Is there anything in the public record that suggests that empirical evidence informed the comparison across the alternatives available to government? | |
| Was such evidence identified? | |
| Is such evidence publicly available? | |
| Did the official decision-maker in question provide an explanation as to why a chosen measure was favoured over alternatives? | |
| Is there any evidence to suggest that potentially affected trading partners were consulted before the measures were taken? | |
| Is there any evidence that safeguards have been put in place to ensure that implementation of the initiative is transparent and non-discriminatory? | |
| Did the government state its intention to review the measure within one year of implementation? |
Date Discovered:
Implemented: Yes
Date of inception: 12 Nov 2008
GTA Evaluation: Green
Source:
RA GOVERNMENT’S ANTI-CRISIS ACTION, PROGRESS AND STATUS -http://www.gov.am/u_files/file/home_files/antikrizis-rus.pdf
and
http://www.gov.am/u_files/file/home_files/hakachgnajamayin/Antikriz-Stat...
Government Response:
- 727 reads
