Durrant Pate/Contributor

Newly minted Commissioner of Customs and head of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), Kirk Benjamin is pushing for more focusing on Trade Facilitation, which he wants to anchor the organisation’s “Customs 4.0” push.

“Customs 4.0” is a three-year mission to transform the JCA into a more business-friendly Customs administration, using data, artificial intelligence, automation and risk-based controls to make compliance easier and legitimate trade faster and more predictable. Looking ahead, Benjamin laid out five “realities” that would serve to shape the future of trade: 

·      A surge in small e-commerce packages replacing bulk shipments

·      Growing role of data and artificial intelligence in spotting risk

·      Need for every agency in the trade chain to be connected

·      Importance of preparing for disruptions like hurricanes and cyberattacks

·      Continued investment in staff development.

For the new Commissioner of Customs, “business-friendly does not mean less regulation. It means easier compliance, faster legitimate trade, predictable decisions, accessible information and intelligence-led enforcement.”

Buchanan noted that the JCA has already come a long way, citing that 25 years ago, clearing goods meant paper entries, repeated visits to different agencies, and wharf queues with delays measured in days. However, today, most of that has moved online through ASYCUDA World, the digital system used for declarations, manifests and payments.

Addressing a Jamaica Chamber of Commerce annual customs seminar, Commissioner Benjamin highlighted that his focus now is on further advancing the agency’s trade facilitation thrust, naming it a major part of his agenda going forward.

The seminar was held under the theme “25 Years of Customs and Commerce Partnership: Reporting on Progress, Partnership and Future.” It is jointly hosted each year by the JCC and the JCA. 

Speaking to members of the JCC’s board, other private sector representatives and Customs officials, Benjamin said the agency is entering a new phase, closing his presentation by thanking the JCC for the 25-year partnership that has made the JCA better at its job, whilst imploring the private sector to stay engaged as the changes roll out.