By Kisean Joseph
The Customs and Excise Division is set to undergo modernisation with the planned implementation of an electronic single-window system and new broker regulations, Comptroller Raju Boddu revealed in a recent interview.
The electronic single-window system, a major technological upgrade aimed at streamlining Customs operations, has completed its initial diagnostic phase conducted by the World Customs Organization team in 2024. The comprehensive system will enable clients to conduct all Customs-related business electronically.
“From the comfort of your home, you can file the return, file the entries, make payments, and obtain licenses from various licensing authorities,” Boddu explained, outlining the system’s capabilities that will transform how businesses interact with customs.
The project is expected to span three years once fully funded, and while it has received promising responses from international donors through the World Customs Organization, Boddu revealed that securing adequate funding and technical expertise is still a challenge.
In another development, the division is preparing to implement new broker regulations in the first quarter of this year, following extensive consultations with stakeholders. These regulations will introduce a formal licensing system for Customs brokers, replacing the current process.
“Right now, there is no system of licensing, except for the comptroller saying, okay, you can act as a broker,” Boddu said. “There has to be some institutionalized system of licensing brokers, and regulations governing their conduct and their doing business with Customs.”
The new regulations, which have been drafted and are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Finance, aim to bring greater structure and accountability to broker operations. This reform comes as part of the division’s broader efforts to modernize Customs services.
These initiatives align with the department’s goal of becoming more user-friendly and service-oriented, particularly in supporting private sector operations, which account for approximately 85 percent of Customs-related business.
The comptroller added that these changes reflect a shift toward a more collaborative approach with stakeholders. “It has to be mutually beneficial,” Boddu added.
The modernisation efforts come as the division celebrates exceeding its 2024 revenue target, collecting over $502 million and crossing the half-billion-dollar threshold for the first time.
