The Role of Customs Procedures in Trade Facilitation: Technological Perspective

Ticaretin Kolaylaştırılmasında Gümrük İşlemlerinin Rolü: Teknolojik Bakış

Abstract

The emergence of a globalized economy is made possible by the development of customs procedures, sometimes complex to manage, and the standardized goods terminology and foreign trade statistics of customs, which allow companies to take full advantage of trade policies and incentives. Customs is a multi-disciplinary administration and is a key actor against all forms of illegal trade flows. It is therefore deployed in response to a wide range of threats, such as the sale of counterfeit and dangerous goods, damage to the environment and biodiversity, narcotics trafficking and, more broadly, organized crime and terrorism. The methods of customs have developed in line with its mission. In order to process legal trade flows, it is necessary to facilitate trade to the maximum extent. The most technologically advanced customs administrations have already adopted large amounts of data that feed automated risk management systems and support the strengthening of core customs processes. Secret trade agreements and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global supply chain from 2020 have revealed the possibility of not realizing the near-term development vision of international trade. New technologies and the growth of electronic commerce bring uncertainties to future trading methods. Geopolitical tensions, regional instability, state fragility and criminal activities remain significant problems. However, the long-term trend in international trade remains upward; In particular, flows of goods and services are seen as essential for recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and investing in the future, that is, building towards greener, smarter and more inclusive economies. Customs, which continues to be highly relevant to this momentum, undoubtedly needs to be much more flexible and responsive than in the past and must evolve into reliable technological systems.