Koror, Palau – July 16, 2024 – The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is pleased to announce the addition of four new Customs Officers: Joyah Nigraiwet, Dawn Surech Kemesong, Lynette Ikesakes, and Carter Ngiralbong. Carter Ngiralbong, previously serving as a Biosecurity Officer, has transitioned into his new role as a Customs Officer. The swearing-in ceremony also included the Chief of the Division of Corporate Services, Robert Tarkong.
These new appointments come just one month after three other Customs Officers took their Oath of Office. The Bureau’s dedication to strengthening border security is exemplified by these strategic hires and promotions, which will significantly bolster our efforts in maintaining the security and efficiency of our operations.
The addition of these officers will provide much-needed support to our team, ensuring that we continue to meet our security objectives effectively of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. We are confident that these new officers will bring valuable skills and dedication to their roles, helping us safeguard our borders more efficiently.
The Bureau remains committed to its mission of protecting the borders and upholding the law, and the newly sworn-in officers are expected to play a crucial role in achieving these goals.
For further information, please contact the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection at 488-1985/6031 or email us at customs@bcbp.pw, or you can visit our website at bcbp.pw for more information.
June 19, 2024 – Koror, Republic of Palau – The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) is pleased to announce the formal induction of three new Customs Officers I. Sesario Gibbons, Ermangarde Augustino, and Jeracie Oiterong took their Oath of Office in a ceremony presided over by Acting Director of the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS), Temdik Ngirblekuu. The event was witnessed by Acting Director of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Clint Mersai, along with other Customs Officers and the officers’ family members.
We welcome these new officers into the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and we look forward to their continued support and contribution to our Mission. Their dedication and commitment over the past three months of rigorous in-job training and orientation have prepared them well for their roles. We look forward to their valuable contributions in the field.”
The new officers are currently engaged in a curriculum training at the Main Customs Office. This training encompasses essential areas such as Customs Laws, Regulations, Processes, Protocols, Ethics, and other pertinent course material integral to their duties as well as the Divisions and Sections under the Bureau. This thorough preparation ensures that they are well-equipped to uphold the standards and responsibilities of their positions.
As they transition into field operations, BCBP is confident in their ability to support and further the mission and goals of the Bureau for the Republic of Palau.
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About the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection: The Bureau is dedicated to enforcing laws related to customs and border security, revenue collection and compliance, as well as facilitating legitimate trade and travel, and ultimately ensuring the safety and economic prosperity of the Republic of Palau through vigilant border protection and efficient customs operations.
In the competitive world of customs brokerage, efficiency is paramount.
The Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection recently implemented the cutting-edge ASYCUDAWorld system, developed by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
This move has transformed the trading community’s experience, streamlining nationwide customs processes and mandating use of the automated system by customs brokers and agents.
KRW Company, a well-established customs agency with five years of industry experience, was among the first to transition from manual into automated customs processes.
For Ms. Avonlea Niro, a declarant at KRW Company in the Republic of Palau, mastering the intricacies of customs clearance processes on the digital ASYCUDAWorld system has been a journey of learning so far.
“Learning the ropes of the system was initially daunting, but with determination, I turned the challenges into opportunities,” Ms. Niro reflected. Ms. Niro had to immerse herself in understanding the complexities of the automated system, moving away from traditional paperwork.
One significant hurdle she encountered was navigating the online form-filling maze. However, the unwavering support of the ASYCUDA team at the Palau BCBP proved invaluable. Not only did Ms. Niro grasp the nuances of the forms, but she also learned the ropes of efficient submission.
“The ASYCUDA TEAM was instrumental in my learning journey, their guidance was invaluable in simplifying the process for my understanding,” Ms. Niro said. The advent of ASYCUDA brought a paradigm shift, revolutionizing Ms Niro’s workflow. The seamless, paperless approach not only saves time but also reduces unnecessary paperwork, allowing customs stakeholders like Ms. Niro to focus on efficient service delivery.
Simply put, she says,
“This system saved me time and papers. Now I don’t have to finish the paper or make two set of it (duplicate) and bring it with a flash drive to custom office. I can simply scan the necessary documents with the form and send it online and I just go back in the system to see if its ready for payment and go onwards from there.” ASYCUDA has been a game-changer for Ms. Niro in more ways than one. “I can now work from anywhere with an internet connection, it’s liberating!” The flexibility afforded by ASYCUDA allows her to seamlessly manage customs clearance processes, transcending geographical boundaries.
But it doesn’t stop there.
In Ms. Niro’s narrative, ASYCUDA isn’t merely a system; it’s a catalyst for efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction—a testament to the power of innovation in simplifying complex processes.
“The efficient and cost-effective system is even keeping our clients happy given that they also save money and clearances are faster than before,” she said.
Ms. Rushlyn Ueki, a declarant at Surangel & Sons Company, also highlighted her journey following the transformation. Ms. Ueki and her team were learning to grasp the system while at the same time trying to clear shipments for their clients on time.
“With ASYCUDA, things have really changed. Before it took us a week to clear all shipments and now it takes us only a couple of days,” Ms. Ueki added.
“Given our high standards of compliance, our company is on Green Lane now, and the processes are even faster.We don’t need to keep checking and waiting for validation. We can just process and we are ready to pay. This system saves us time and money.” she further elaborated.
Photo: Staff of Surangel & Sons Company (From Left) Dastin Darius, Declarant – Rushlyn Ueki, Jennifer O. Ingais, and Kimberly Elarionoff.
The impact of ASYCUDA is tangible. Following the January 2024 launch of the ASYCUDAWorld system, Palau witnessed a remarkable 53% increase in customs revenue by mid-March, compared to the same period last year.
This transformation was made possible through the European Union (EU)-funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) project, implemented by UNCTAD.
About KRW Company: KRW Company is a customs broker company based out of Koror, Palau, a central area where about 70% of the commercial establishments are situated.
About Surangel & Sons Company: Surangel and Sons Co. is a diverse and thriving corporation located in the Republic of Palau.
About ASYCUDAWorld: ASYCUDAWorld is a cutting-edge customs management system by UN Trade and Development, aimed at simplifying trade and customs processes.
About the IMPACT Project: Funded by the European Union, the IMPACT project seeks to enhance customs operations through technological advancements and capacity building.
Koror, Palau: A delegation from the Government of Japan’s Digital Agency has arrived in Palau to further support toward the establishment of an efficient, digitized border management system at the country’s ports of entry.
Following initial discussions with the Government of Japan in April 2023, representatives from Fiji, together with Palau and Vanuatu travelled to Tokyo in October of last year to discuss the implementation of a digital arrival card system to streamline border entry processes in all three countries.
This work is being undertaken with support from the Government of Japan and its Integrated Border Management Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project aims to support relevant agencies in Fiji, Palau and Vanuatu in reinforcing their capacities, capabilities and systems for effective and efficient movement of travelers and cargo, and to strengthen links for data and knowledge sharing, inter-agency and cross-regional cooperation.
As part of its commitment to the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision, the Government of Japan strives to promote unrestricted and resilient economic activity throughout the region. Recognizing the significance of digitalization, the Government of Japan is supporting the adoption of digital solutions for border management across the Pacific to advance economic growth.
UNDP and the Government of Japan’s support to Palau has been long-standing, with the Government of Palau having already developed a health declaration tool following the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has now requested a consultation with the Japan Digital Agency to discuss the rollout of an integrated Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) system and to also obtain technical advice on the development of the country’s first CIQ strategy.
Mr. John Tarkong Jr., Director of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Ministry of Finance, said the visit from Japan’s Digital Agency was timely since the Government of Palau recently introduced a QR code system to accelerate customs’ declaration process.
“By further automating Palau’s passenger arrival card we are paving the way for a future characterized by a seamless entry experience, advanced data management, and robust security measures. This initiative will bolster the country’s immigration and security systems, and on behalf of those working within the border management space in Palau, I extend my gratitude to the Government of Japan for their support in this endeavor,” he said.
Japan to Republic of Palau, His Excellency Hiroyuki Orikasa, provided opening remarks at the consolation and said:
“We are aware that Pacific Island countries, including Palau, are faced with issues in regard to foreigners coming into territories with illicit intentions, whose number has increased dramatically over the past 25 years. It is up to every one of us to protect the country and family members from the expansion of bad influences from abroad. Japan’s partnership with Palau, and the Pacific as a whole, is one underpinned by mutual trust and respect, and through this project we look forward to furthering genuine cooperation between key border management stakeholders in Palau and throughout the Pacific region to enhance regional peace and security.”
Director of the Government of Japan’s Digital Agency, Hiroyuki Kato, made note of the significance of the collaboration.
“It is our pleasure to share our experiences of Visit Japan Web and the work of Japan’s Digital Agency with Palau. While we are here to support government in advancing their digitization, we would also like to learn from Palau in terms of future improvements for Visit Japan Web. We are excited to be here and to see Palau and Japan working together,” he said.
Country Manager and Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP’s North Pacific Office, Kevin Petrini, said the project champions collaboration and knowledge sharing, with the visit by Japan’s Digital Agency providing a boost to Palau’s future border management activities.
“UNDP has not only facilitated the exchange of expertise between Palau and Japan but has also played a crucial role in ensuring that the digital transformation we envision is inclusive and accessible to all. This collaborative effort, underpinned by UNDP’s guidance, stands as a testament to the potential of international cooperation in harnessing the power of technology for the benefit of everyone,” he said.
The consultation concluded on 3 April, with this work also supported by the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
In late February, a team from the Bureau of Customs, Joline Spesungel and its Division of Immigration Officers, Jake Ramon and Levi Idechong met with the Digital Residency Office Director Jay Anson at Minneapolis for a demonstration visitation of the Biometrics system. This project has been initiated to update and replace the Border Management System currently being used in Palau and will allow for an swift integration of the Biometrics equipment that are already in Palau. The project will commence testing on mid to late March, and will be fully operational in the coming months when all the requirements are met.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) continues to support the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) through the Strengthening Border Management in the Pacific project by donating a new server to the agency. The server will be utilized as the primary host for the production of virtual servers to be included for the Customs system such as ASYCUDA backup, training and testing.
Today, the International Customs community rejoices as it receives an official communication from the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs notifying of the deposit by the Republic of Palau of its instrument of accession to the Convention Establishing a Customs Co-operation Council on 2 February 2024. This pivotal step ushers Palau into the World Customs Organization (WCO) as its 186th Member, signaling a new era of international cooperation for this Pacific Island nation.
Nestled in the southwest corner of Micronesia, Palau is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and strategic location in the western Pacific. By joining the WCO, Palau not only reinforces its commitment to enhancing its Customs administration but also positions itself as a key player in the Asia/Pacific region, joining ongoing efforts to secure and facilitate international trade.
The WCO, with its mission to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs administrations worldwide, welcomes Palau’s membership as a testament to the Organization’s growing influence and reach. It is a step towards fostering better cooperation in the region, enhancing economic security, and promoting sustainable development through improved Customs practices.
This membership opens the door to numerous opportunities for Palau to engage in knowledge sharing and benefit from capacity-building support, and international cooperation, enabling it to be a more active participant in global efforts to facilitate trade and ensure supply chain security through effective and efficient Customs administration.
“We are thrilled to welcome Palau into the international Customs family,” said Ian Saunders, Secretary General of the WCO. “Palau’s unique geographic and cultural characteristics bring a valuable and diverse perspective to our Organization. In line with the theme of this year, this new partnership will infuse our efforts with fresh insights and push us to seek for innovative solutions to better serve Members. We look forward to working closely together in the years to come.”
A ceremony was held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at the Palau Royal Resort for the launching of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) for recording of inbound and outbound cargos of the country.
The ceremony was graced by President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. alongside Minister Kaleb Udui, Jr. and Director John Tarkong, Jr. of Customs and Border Control who will head the operational system.
Funded by the European Union, ASYCUDA marks a significant step forward in Palau’s trade and customs administration. This integrated system automates international trade and transport operations brining Palau in line with global standards and facilitating smoother interactions with financial and economic partners.
“This system will incentivize investments in Palau,” President Whipps stated during the ceremony highlighting the system’s potential to boost Palau’s economy.
