Macao Customs Service has introduced a smart clearance system across Macau’s borders hoping to promote modern and accessible customs clearance measures to all relevant parties.
Aiming at efficiencies in the use of human resources and the use of scientific and technological systems, the customs authority launched “Easy Clearance” last Friday.
The system provides a one-stop automated inspection and clearance of goods through forecasting cargo data and through big data risk prediction technology. The authority first launched the Easy Clearance service for land freight. Cross-border cargo vehicles registered with the Easy Clearance service do not need to go through customs freight to undergo customs clearance procedures after crossing the border to Macau.
Previously, vehicles were randomly selected to go through customs’ inspection after crossing into Macau. Since the launch of Easy Clearance, vehicles which have not registered for the service at the customs authority may still be inspected.
With Easy Clearance, cargo companies can make a declaration to the customs authority through the Easy Clearance system before they export or import goods to Macau. The Easy Clearance system will conduct a preliminary clearance procedure after it receives the declaration.
The companies responsible for the vehicles must issue a notification to the customs authority at least 30 minutes before their relevant vehicles approach Macau’s land freight. The notification should contain the plate number of the vehicles.
Once the vehicles arrive at Macau’s land port, the smart system will confirm the information linked to the license plate. Confirmation and approval of the customs authority and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) must be given and presented to the relevant vehicle through an LED board at the port. Only then can the vehicles cross Macau’s borders.
On Friday, the customs authority invited two local residents who operate cargos between Macau and mainland China. Both residents said that the Easy Clearance system shortened their immigration checking procedure to 15 minutes from taking over 20 minutes previously.
Currently, Easy Clearance is available at Ilha Verde cross-border industrial zone check-points, at the Border Gate, and at the Lotus Frontier.
Since the experimental operation of the service on October 28 until 11 am on November 1, more than 30 vehicles used this service.
Currently, five companies have applied to use the Easy Clearance system.
According to the customs authority, in the future, Easy Clearance is expected to be installed at the Macau Port on the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.
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