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.
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.
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.
