Background

•  Bahrain Customs strategy will depend upon the introduction of an efficient electronic system to handle all customs formalities.
  
•  The proposed computerized system will enhance the clearance procedure and standardization of the invoices issued under the GCC Unified Customs Law.
  
•  Hi-Tech Company will install and guarantee the customs computerized system for five years.

Objects of the Computerized System

  The customs computerized system is a fully integrated electronic technique, which will provide an online linkage between shipping agents and staff of the Directorate General of Customs and will facilitate the exchange of information between the parties concerned.

1. The system will cope with future requirements of trade and minimize difficulties.
   
2. The Directorate will have a standardized joint source of information, which will serve as an effective database for decision-making.
   
3. The supplier will train customs staff by organizing appropriate technical courses so that they will be able to operate and use the system.
   
4. The system will facilitate the production of reports.
   
5. The system will provide loading and downloading facilities for current and future information.
   
6. The system will help the customs to keep abreast of common systems used by international and GCC customs organizations.
   
7. The customs will be able to use latest information technology software and hardware.
   
8. Safe packages will be used to ensure the protection of the infrastructural environment.
   
9. It will be possible to operate the system on a 24/7 basis

Benefits of the Customs Electronic System

1. The automation system will be a further step forward to convert manual processing into mechanical handling. This will ensure that the customs are keeping pace with latest international updates of customs formalities and procedures.
   
2. All customs entry points and customs-related private sector parties, such as banks, will be linked to the customs head office. Additionally, the customs will have online connection with other GCC counterparts.
   
3. The project is part of the investment process within the Kingdom and an instrument to facilitate and promote the import/export business.
   
4. The system will include highly effective database covering rules pertaining to the assessment of goods as approved by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
   
5. The system will save much time in clearing document processing. As a result, more processes can be achieved at less time and cost for the benefit of both the customs and the customers.
   
6. The current customs documents will be amalgamated into a single document used for both import and export documentation.
   
7. It will be possible to ensure continuous upgrading of the system in order to keep abreast of updates.
   
8. The data will be more protected by restricting accessibility by the users.
   
9. It will be possible to automatically convert currencies through the online access to the exchange rates from banks.
   
10. The customs duties will be collected electronically.
    
11. The system will be used to extract various information and statistics required for the foreign trade and for export/import purposes.
    
12. It will be possible to use the system in both languages, Arabic and English.
    
13. The system is capable of dealing with an unlimited number of users on a real time and efficient basis.