International Journal of Communications Law & Policy

THE VIRTUAL CUSTOMS OFFICE - eSERVICES FOR TRADERS, CITIZENS, STUDENTS, PRESS AND MEDIA
By Mats Wicktor

Download the Paper in PDF Format: IJCLP Web-Doc 15-8-2004

Abstract

It is said that a Customs Officer holds the oldest profession in the world, full of traditions and values. However, the world continuously moves on and so must European Customs administrations in order not to become extinct; adopting working-methods and services to the 21st century. This challenge must be taken seriously especially by countries that like Sweden is dependent on foreign trade, hence making Customs a business advantage. Therefore increased service-levels and trade-facilitation has been on the agenda of Swedish Customs for years, resulting in among other things sophisticated automated risk-analysis and certification of compliant operators (The Stairway®).

However, Customs is complex and needs for individual support independent of time and room is growing due to increased trade volumes and globalisation. Swedish Customs offers customers free supportive web-services for customs-business in order to facilitate day-to-day work and also strengthen Swedish competitiveness through The Virtual Customs Office. Unique service-options for unique customers based on modern technology increase quality and efficiency at the same time as compliance costs decreases. Smart mobile solutions with high degree of scalability and good cost/benefit will make Europe a strong global economy with a bright future. Please visit http://www.customs-vip.info/eGov/ for a glimpse of the future already today!

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