Islamabad, Pakistan Customs has marked significant progress in its ambitious project to transform customs operations, completing the business process mapping of its core functions within the first five months of a World Bank-funded initiative.

According to Press Information Department, the project, which began implementation in December 2023, employs technical expertise from KGH and Maersk global leaders in customs administration reforms and logistics. The initiative encompasses 16 working groups each focusing on different streams of customs work, all notified by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

Since the digitalization of its operations in 2005, Pakistan Customs has been at the forefront of adopting innovative technologies, utilizing the WeBOC system that handles more than 45% of FBR’s annual revenue. This system has not only streamlined the process of managing imports, exports, and transit trade but also positioned Pakistan ahead of many developed nations in simplifying trading processes through the Pakistan Single Window initiative.

The ongoing transformation project aims to benchmark and redesign all mapped processes to meet international standards set by organizations such as the WTO, WCO, and the UN. This includes upgrading legal frameworks, organizational structures, and operational models to enhance risk management, post-clearance audit capabilities, and the use of advanced technology. The project is expected to culminate in the development of a new Customs Digital Management System by the Pakistan Single Window Company, which will replace the aging WeBOC system with a more sophisticated and comprehensive digital platform.