THE ROLE AND PLACE OF CUSTOMS IN PORT COMMUNITY SYSTEM - EXPERIENCES FROM POLAND

Abstract

Seaports are natural bottlenecks in the transport chain, yet they are logical places to carry out customs and other services controls. Port Community Systems have played a major role in facilitating the more efficient movement of goods while allowing Customs and other government departments to maintain effective controls. This article concentrates on qualification and assessment of the role and place of Customs Office in the PCS organization. In so doing, the role that such Customs can play in terms of implementing the “Ports 24h” programme. The article presents some of the problems in creating the Polish port community system which has to integrate three Polish seaports: Gdańsk, Gdynia and Szczecin-Świonujście. Unfortunately, there is currently no port community system operating in Polish seaports. There are, however, certain single windows created by the Polish Customs Service, Maritime Administration and Main Container Terminal Operators, and they can be used to develop the PCS. There is a major problem concerning how to use those windows to create the PCS. Moreover, the Polish Customs Service has developed system called the ”Ports 24h” programme. The article analyses the role and place the Polish Customs in creating integrated port community systems.

Interviews conducted with prominent representatives of ports’ stakeholders has made it possible to evaluate the role of Customs Service and indicate the benefits of adopting the system than just improving speed. Such advantages include more efficient control and supervision (risk analysis), costs reduction and increased competitiveness. All of these initiatives have jointly incentivised some of the former importers to return to Polish seaports; however, the situation is believed to change in the near future.

Key words: port community system, seaports, Customs Office