ASYCUDA

What is Asycuda

ASYCUDA is a computerized customs management system which covers most foreign trade procedures. The system handles manifests and customs declarations, accounting procedures, transit and suspense procedures. ASYCUDA generates trade data that can be used for statistical economic analysis.

The ASYCUDA software is developed in Geneva by UNCTAD. It operates on micro in a client server environment under UNIX/Linux and DOS operating systems and RDBMS Software. ASYCUDA takes into account the international codes and standards developed by ISO (International Organization for Standardization), WCO (World Customs Organization) and the United Nations. It can be configured to suit the national characteristics of individual Customs regimes, National Tariff, legislation,...

ASYCUDA provides for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between traders and Customs using EDIFACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) rules. 

Background

In 1981 UNCTAD received a request from the secretariat of the Economic Community of Western African States (ECOWAS) to assist in the compilation of foreign trade statistics in their member States. After an initial evaluation it became quickly apparent that this would only be possible at the Customs clearance offices and that the Customs clearance procedures required to be modernized to achieve quality results.

Taking advantage of advances in computer technology (the Personal Computer had at that time matured to be seriously considered as a business tool) UNCTAD proposed to develop a Customs software system which would be modular, adaptable and configurable so that it could be used in difficult environments requiring only a small number of trained maintenance staff. This proposal was received with a lot of skepticism considering that many countries used mainframes system with on-site specialized computer engineers to support them. Despite that UNCTAD succeeded with the assistance of some member States to develop such a system, which is now commonly known under its name ASYCUDA.

 ASYCUDA was originally developed on micro computers which were extremely limited by today's standards. In order to implement a complex Customs system in a multi user environment on such a platform a technical solution had to be applied which stretched the capacity of these machines to their limit. However, over the years capacity and performance of micro computers have rapidly improved and major revisions of the ASYCUDA software have led to a very stable and highly reliable system. In addition, a porting to the UNIX operating system has broadened the choice of suitable hardware platforms to include also a number of mini computers.

 In order to benefit from the latest innovations in information technology (IT) the ASYCUDA Technical Development and Implementation unit (ATDI) has designed and developed ASYCUDA++ which uses object oriented tools in a client/server architecture and is based on a relational data base management system (RDBMS). This version has been ported to a wide range of both Intel and risc-based platforms.

ASYCUDA Potential Benefits

• Reduced / simplified number of documents;

• Streamlined, transparent procedures;

• Equitable decision making;

• Improved clearance times;

• Reduced trade costs;

• Timely and reliable trade statistics.

   

Advantages of Asycuda

• Dispersed processing system which does not depend upon real time communications-a file server is located at every office;

• National functionality available with part time communications;

• Open system interacting with external applications via message handling;

• Client-server architecture;

• Easily maintained, flexible and modular design;

• Uses international standards and data;

• Locally tailored to each country’s needs

• Server to Server Communications

• D.I.A.M: Data Integration and Access Module.

Agents some examples

• Tariff, currency rate and reference table updates from HQ to all offices;

• Statistical and accounting data to HQ;

• Transit information to destination;
  

Local tailoring

System translation to Local Languages;

-File build:

• Reference table;

• Tariff and Tax rules;

-Configuration:

• Declaration and manifest;

• National system;

-Filtered processing documents:
-User defined reports:
-Communication scripts:

Server to Client Replication

• Automatic verification & registration of declarations prepared by brokers;

• Uniform application of rules & regulations;

• Control of value & classification through use of integrated tariff and valuation files;

• Selection of targets for control purposes;

• Control over required documents;

• Minimized manual handling of documents;

• Systematic working methods.

Control Data

• Automatic verification & registration of declarations prepared by brokers;

• Uniform application of rules & regulations;

• Control of value & classification through use of integrated tariff and valuation files;

• Selection of targets for control purposes;

• Control over required documents;

• Minimized manual handling of documents;

• Systematic working methods.

Statistical Outputs

• Timely data available on “next day” basis.

• Reliable fiscal & economic reports concerning:

• Duties & Taxes;

• Products & Countries;

• Importers, Exporters & declarations.

• User defined reports available;

• Quality controls over data capture process.

   

Main Project Activities

• Project Team Training-Functional & Technical;

• Consulting with other interested bodies- e.g. Chamber of Commerce; Department of statistics;
  Customs Brokers etc.

• Review of procedures, proposal for change & legislative reforms;

• Introducing new European SAD Declaration including use of codified data;

• Integration of duties and taxes into tariff;

• Developing documentation and instructions of Customs staff and trade users;

• File build- Translation of system; Keying of Reference files and tariff; Development of Taxation rules;

• Defining the computer printouts and reports;

• Training the local staff and trade;

• Renovating accommodation, installing equipment & software.

• Providing help and assistance during operational phase.
  

Today’s Customs Resources are consumed by:

• Completing and keying of the declaration- actually the work of the broker;

• Applying blanket coverage over controls;

• Carrying out tedious clerical work;

• Making laborious calculations;

• Undertaking multiple inspections of goods;

• Dealing with repeated classification and valuation disputes.
  

The SAD Declaration

-Prepared by Brokers:

• General segments and item segments;

• Goods must be classified and valued;

• Provisional calculation of taxes.

-Declarations are registered on the system:

• Broker’s reference files are automatically checked and updated;

• Broker is committed to a complete and valid declaration.

Learn more www.asycuda.org