Turkey Steps Up Efforts to Enhance Compliance Risk Management
Background
In 2008, Turkey began working to improve its risk management and analysis system for customs control operations. The Ministry of Customs and Trade (MoCT) recently implemented a twinning arrangement with German and United Kingdom customs administrations to enhance the evaluation, information, and risk assessment abilities of Turkish Customs.
Modernization of the Turkish Customs Administration VI - Risk Management Project
The “Modernization of the Turkish Customs Administration VI - Risk Management” project was launched in February 2012 and concluded in February 2013. The project aimed to improve the ability of customs officers to curb illicit trade in commercial goods, narcotics, and explosives, as well as prepare Turkey for its potential future external border with the European Union (EU) and ensure compatibility with EU standards.
Objectives
- Improve the ability of customs officers to prevent illicit trade
- Prepare Turkey for its potential future external border with the EU
- Ensure compatibility with EU standards
Automated Risk Analysis System
Turkey’s automated risk analysis system categorizes transactions based on high-, medium-, and low-risk scores, taking into account a trader’s compliance history, such as their Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status. The system enables MoCT to conduct risk-based controls, primarily targeting high-risk shipments before they arrive in Turkey.
Benefits
- Facilitates the country’s ambitions to become a major player in the global economy
- Enables MoCT to conduct targeted risk-based controls
Risk Management and Analysis Operations
Risk management and analysis operations are carried out centrally by the Risk Analysis Department of the Directorate-General for Risk Management and Control, while regional and local risk analysis activities are performed by trained staff at customs offices.
Training and Capacity Building
- All customs personnel involved in risk analysis received training
- Focus areas included declarations, summary declarations, fast parcel operators, EU’s New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), simplified procedures, and data mining
- 12 workshops and 38 seminars were held, with 727 customs officials participating
- 35 customs officers went on study visits and undertook traineeships in Germany and the United Kingdom
- 16 staff members attended training-the-trainer courses on new training methods and approaches in teaching customs techniques
Supporting Documents
- A “Business Strategy” has been produced to guide risk analysis activities
- A “Risk Analysis Guideline” explains how to conduct risk analysis and identify relevant data for analysis and targeting suspect consignments, including examples of analyses and seizures made
New Customs Code
Turkey’s new Customs Code, which entered into force in January 2013, covers concepts such as authorized traders, local clearance, and authorized consignors and consignees, ensuring compatibility with EU standards.
Implementation
- The code was officially unveiled to traders in Istanbul
- Seminars were held in cities with large foreign trade volumes to inform traders about the implementation of a new AEO program
Future Plans
Turkey will continue to improve its risk analysis activities as part of recent reorganization efforts to become a country where trade transactions take place with optimum security, speed, and ease.