A delegation from the Republic of Marshall Islands Tax Reform and Modernization Commission recently wrapped up their visit to the Republic of Palau, participating in a comprehensive exchange of knowledge on digital transformation in customs and trade through #ASYCUDAWorld.
During their visit, the delegation observed the implementation and operation of the ASYCUDAWorld system for customs clearances at the Palau Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP).
Special thanks to the Resident ASYCUDA Expert, Mr. Mohammed Rizwan Khan, for the insightful live demonstration of the system. His presentation showcased how ASYCUDAWorld is transforming trade processes and enhancing the collection of the Palau Goods and Services Tax (PGST). This visit underscores the importance of regional collaboration in driving reforms that shape customs and trade, paving the way for better opportunities and stronger economies throughout the region.
Palau, December 19, 2024 – A blue 2014 Nissan Rogue was officially donated to the Palau Bureau of Customs and Border Protection today as a gesture of appreciation for its steadfast dedication to securing the nation’s borders.
The vehicle, donated by the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Justice, was presented in a ceremony held in front of the Vice President’s Office. Asterio Takashi, representing the Vice President’s Office, formally handed over the vehicle to Director John Tarkong Jr. of the Bureau of Customs. Director Tarkong Jr. was accompanied by Chief Robert Tarkong of the Division of Corporate Services and Senior Officer/OIC Poland Masaharu of the Division of Revenue & Trade Facilitation.
Director Tarkong Jr. expressed deep gratitude for the continued support from the Vice President’s Office and the Ministry of Justice. He emphasized that the Nissan Rogue, in excellent condition, will greatly enhance the Bureau’s operations, particularly in facilitating revenue-related tasks and daily transmittals managed by the Division of Revenue & Trade Facilitation.
“This holiday season, we reflect on the importance of kindness and gratitude,” remarked Asterio Takashi. “It’s an honor to present this vehicle as a token of appreciation for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection and its hardworking staff, who tirelessly ensure the safety and security of our nation.”
The donation underscores the commitment of Palau’s leadership to supporting essential government functions, especially those safeguarding the country’s borders.
[16 December 2024; Republic of Palau] In a major step toward enhancing efficiency and streamlining trade processes, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) of the Republic of Palau has implemented an electronic payment system.
This innovative solution developed by the United Nations Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) ASYCUDA Pacific Programme, allows traders and importers to pay customs duties and taxes online, eliminating the need for physical visits to the customs office.
The e-payment system is designed by the ASYCUDA expert as requested by BCBP, to significantly reduce the time required for customs payments, enabling users to complete transactions instantaneously from anywhere, at any time.
The real-time nature of the e-payment system ensures that payments are reflected instantly in the ASYCUDA system (an automated customs management software), facilitating immediate access to receipts.
The development of this system over the last few months marks a significant milestone in Palau’s efforts to integrate digital solutions into its customs procedures, ultimately benefiting the trade community and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
Therefore, importers can now make secure payments online, further streamlining the import process and enhancing overall efficiency.
During the official launch of the e-payment system, the President of the Republic of Palau, Mr. Surangel Whipps Jr. shared that the process was ongoing for the last two years.
“Today we celebrate the start of the online payment system,” Mr. Whipps Jr. said.
“Ultimately our goal was to modernize the system, to make it more efficient, to make it more customer friendly. And part of the efficiency is to make sure it gets done quickly so people don’t have to wait,” he highlighted.
Noting that change is often difficult, Mr. Whipps Jr. further acknowledged the businesses and public for adapting to the initiative.
The UN Trade and Development’s Regional Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Jayvee Santos, said Palau implemented the online program with a remarkable speed.
“Palau was able to do it in a matter of months and it is a great testament to coordination between Customs and other government teams, and motivation for innovation,” Mr. Santos stated.
The successful implementation of the e-payment system was supported by the European Union funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) Project implemented by the UN Trade and Development.
For more information about the new e-payment system, please visit website: https://bcbp.pw/ or contact the BCBP.
A simple video demonstrating the step-by-step guide to using the e-payment system is also available to users here: https://bcbp.pw/?p=4256.
The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) proudly congratulates Customs Officer II Ashley Adelbai on being named the Ministry of Finance (MOF) Employee of the Year for 2024. This prestigious recognition highlights Ashley’s exceptional contributions to the Bureau, her leadership within the ASYCUDA national project team, and her unwavering dedication to advancing the efficiency and effectiveness of customs operations.
Since joining the ASYCUDA project in 2022, Ashley has been instrumental in its successful implementation, providing critical user support, leading training sessions, and developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have greatly benefited the Bureau. Her ability to balance her primary duties with her responsibilities on the project has been exemplary, ensuring smooth operational transitions while fostering confidence among her colleagues.
Ashley’s commitment to professional growth is equally commendable, having earned Certificates III and IV in Customs Administration, reflecting her expertise across all facets of customs operations. Her diligence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills have been key to her success and have made her an invaluable asset to the Bureau.
On behalf of the entire Bureau, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Ashley for this well-deserved honor. Her hard work and dedication embody the values of the BCBP, and we are proud to celebrate her achievements.
[13 November 2024; Koror, Palau] The Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) received an advanced server to host the recently implemented ASYCUDA, a state-of-the-art customs management software, streamlining customs and border processes.
The arrival of the upgraded server marks a significant step in enhancing Palau’s customs infrastructure.
The Director of the Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Mr. John Tarkong Jr. said the server will become the backbone of the administration’s operations.
“It will manage customer databases, process online transactions, and store critical business data and without this server, our current modern businesses would struggle to operate efficiently and compete in the digital marketplace,” Mr. Tarkong Jr. stated.
Consequently, the server will allow BCBP to implement access controls, encryption, and data backups to safeguard sensitive information deemed “crucial in an era of increasing cyber threats and data breaches,” Mr. Tarkong Jr. said,”
The server is designed for high performance, reliability, and scalability, ensuring it can handle numerous simultaneous requests from clients.
Previously, BCBP relied on an older server to run ASYCUDA, which constrained the system’s performance, limiting reliability and scalability.
With the new server, BCBP now has greater processing power and expanded storage capacity, enabling faster transaction processing, improved data handling, and more efficient real-time communication with customs stakeholders.
This upgrade will support Palau’s ongoing efforts to modernize and optimize its customs operations.
The purchase of the new server was made through the European Union funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) Project implemented by the UN Trade and Development.
The UN Trade and Development’s Regional Coordinator for the ASYCUDA Programme in the Asia and the Pacific, Mr. Jayvee Santos, said the Programme was proud to support the initiative.
“The high-performance servers supplied through the EU-funded IMPACT project will play a crucial role in modernizing the BCBP’s infrastructure. They will enable the handling of increasing volumes of data with greater speed and security, bringing additional resources to interface with other government systems, and prepare for the implementation of an electronic Single Window system,” Mr. Santos said.
KOROR, PALAU — In our efforts to eradicate illegal drug use from homes and schools, Xie Xie to Republic of China – Taiwan for their donation of field drug tests.
The tests can be used by public safety officers at the Bureau of Public Safety, Customs and Border Protection, Palau International Airport and the Palau Post Office to test for illegal substances. The test kits can provide results for various substances in about 5 minutes.
H.E. Ambassador Jessica C. Lee and a team of investigators from Taiwan presented the test kits to President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. and members of the Coordinated Border Management Working Group on Oct. 25, 2024.
Koror, Palau – On October 15, 2024, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 489 which amended the term of the Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Working Group to remain in effect, as it expired on September 30, 2024 as established through Executive Order No. 475.
The CBM Working Group is mandated to emphasize coordination and mutual assistance among the various government agencies to strengthen Palau’s border security and management, modernize our border management practices by streamlining policies and enhancing our technological systems, and combat the ongoing challenges and threats posed by transnational crimes and other illegal cross-border activities.
Successful facilitation, collaboration, and resource-sharing among border agencies has proven that the CBM Working group is a critical platform for enhancing the Republic’s border security.
3 September 2024 – Koror, Palau – Businesses dealing with excisable products in the Republic of Palau can now set up bonded warehouse facilities, marking a significant step forward in streamlining customs processes in the country.
This new development is the result of enhanced capabilities within the Republic of Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) through the implementation of the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)-backed ASYCUDA system. Previously, the absence of formal customs bonded warehouse processes in Palau, posed challenges for businesses to manage their duties and taxes efficiently.
With the introduction of ASYCUDA, the process has been fully automated, allowing for real-time tracking and management of excise goods in bonded warehouses. This automation ensures that customs processes are transparent, efficient, and secure, benefiting both the government and the business community.
The automation of these processes is supported by the European Union-funded Improving Pacific Islands Customs and Trade (IMPACT) project implemented by UN Trade and Development. By centralizing and automating customs operations, the ASYCUDA system enables better monitoring and control of excise goods, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Benefits of Bonded Facilities:
1. Improved Cash Flow for Businesses: One of the most significant advantages for businesses is the ability to defer the payment of duties and taxes until the goods are released from the bonded warehouse. This flexibility allows companies to manage their cash flow more effectively, ensuring they do not have to pay the entire amount upfront.
2. Efficient Processing: The new warehouses are designed to handle excise goods more swiftly, reducing delays and optimizing the supply chain, leading to lower operational costs and faster turnaround times for businesses.
3. Enhanced Security: The facilities will operate under stringent regulatory standards to ensure the safe storage and management of excise goods, ensuring that businesses can store their products with confidence, knowing they are in compliance with all relevant regulations.
4. Facilitated Movement of Goods: By centralizing the storage of excise goods, customs processes are streamlined, reducing logistical hurdles and making it easier for businesses to move goods through the supply chain.
The BCBP has outlined specific conditions and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and maintain high standards of security within these bonded warehouse facilities. Businesses interested in establishing a bonded warehouse are encouraged to review the detailed guidelines available on the BCBP website or contact their office directly.
For more information on how to apply and the conditions for establishing a bonded warehouse, please visit the BCBP website or reach out to the office at bcbp.pw.
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.
