Currently, 12% of all vessels entering the port of Kaliningrad use a pre-arrival processing system through customs ICT applications, an FCS software developer said, PortNews reported.
Igor Sadowski, the head of a separate IT division of Moscow-based LLC STM (specializing in development of customs clearance software), attending the 5th Baltic Transport Forum in Kaliningrad, told that 60% of these ships submit pre-arrival manifests through a web-based application “Fill-Bill” and 40% - through the portal of Russia’s Federal Customs Service (FCS).
Russian FCS is currently conducting an experiment to introduce paperless workflow and expedite customs formalities at Russian ports for marine vessels and imported / exported goods. Voluntary pre-arrival submission of ship / cargo manifest that simplifies and expedites customs clearance procedure will become mandatory for maritime transport in 2014-2015.
The introduction of pre-arrival processing technology will increase the capacity of Russian border crossing / customs checkpoints on the outer border of the Customs Union, by reducing the time of customs formalities at points of arrival, and optimize the customs control.
According to the FCS, the average time of customs procedures on board the ship by officers (physical inspection) in the first quarter 2013 reached 96 minutes versus an average of 35 minutes spent for processing e-declaration in customs offices.