Status of Customs Declarations
- The status of the Customs Declaration (CD) keeps changing as cargo clearance process progresses from one stage to another. The following are the various CD status:
- Created – At this stage the CD has been created but can still be edited.
- Registered – No changes can be done without Customs approval.
- Accepted – Taxes have been paid or a bond executed to secure the goods (it is the equivalent of Long Room pass as was previously known).
- Under Control – The process is under Verification Officer’s stage where goods may be examined, and the documents further verified.
- To Amend – A discrepancy has been detected during cargo or document verification and Head Verification officer confirms that CD is not compliant and requires amendment.
- Amended – Required amendment is done by Customs Agent. Three options are available to the Customs Agent: accept amendment; reject amendment; pay and protest.
Cont.
- To Alter – This involves changes initiated by Customs Agent that will not affect tax computation.
- Alter Pending – Payment of alteration fees by Customs Agent is pending.
- To Cancel – Customs Agent requests for cancellation due to various reasons e.g. IDF is lodged and cargo is no longer being imported.
- Cancel Pending – Customs Agent to generate payment slip and make payment for cancellation of CD.
- Pending Release – Customs officer is yet to issue Release Order. For Authorized Economic Operators, this status is skipped since an automatic Release Order is issued.
- Pending Removal – Goods are yet to be physically removed from the release station.
- Settled – All cargo in the manifest has been accounted for, such that total weight of packages has been knocked off.
Learning Activities
- Read on the following Customs modernization efforts and write brief notes:
- Kenya National Electronic Single Window System (KNESW)
- Trade Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP)
- Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System
- Smart Gates
- Describe improvements made in iCMS as compared to Simba 2005.
- Go through each field on the sample form C17C and explain the information that should be captured under that field.
Assignment
- Discuss the purpose and benefits of the iCMS.
- What are the specific challenges that customs agents / clearing and forwarding agents face while using the iCMS? What are the possible mitigation measures?
- Describe the classifications and codes used in the Single Administrative Documents.