‘Dubai Customs’ example should be followed globally’

The World Customs Organisation, WCO, has recently applauded the advanced procedures and services Dubai Customs delivers to its clients.

Ricardo Trevino Chapa, Deputy Secretary-General of the WCO, stated in his recent visit to Dubai Customs that the department plays a noticeable part in developing customs work globally.

The customs work system and methodology in Dubai Customs is an example that needs to be followed by other customs organisations around the world, he said.

Chapa cited Mirsal 2 as a successful system that deserves to be presented before international conferences so that other customs departments learn from it.

On the sidelines of the WCO Global Communication Strategies Conference which concluded in Brussels, Belgium on 9th October, 2019, WCO Secretary-General, Kunio Mikuriya, said, hosting the 5th edition of the WCO Global AEO Conference in Dubai from 10th to 12th March, 2020, is an indication of the world-class level that Dubai Customs has reached in all aspects.

The WCO has also confirmed in its Columbus Program that Dubai Customs enjoys a fully-integrated strategy and a clear vision enriched by numerous smart initiatives. This has encouraged the WCO’s experts to consider Dubai Customs as a role model locally, regionally and globally.

In its report, the WCO stated that Dubai Customs works in line with the WCO vision of supporting legitimate trade and securing borders.

Through its magazine, the WCO has highlighted the major role played by Dubai Customs in advancing the customs field, citing some impressive projects including the Virtual Corridor, Ideclare and the launch of the Authorised Economic Operator.

Dubai Customs announced major upgrades on its smart risk engine which raises predictive capabilities by 80 per cent. The AI Predictive Risk Engine uses machine learning algorithms in customs vertical systems to improve time spent by Dubai Customs executing legitimate declarations by implementing modules in risk prediction, fraud detection, valuation price assessment, HS CODE Classification, and exception automation.

Dubai Customs developed several programmes and applications that facilitated work and reduced the time needed by clients to clear their shipments. These include Mirsal 2, Smart Risk Engine, and Smart Workspace Platform.

Dubai Customs has also launched the Authorised Economic Operator, AEO, which has seen rapid growth and development since its launch under the aegis of the Federal Customs Authority in October 2016. The AEO programme helped catapult the UAE to the top of the world’s Efficiency of Customs Procedures Index in the annual report of Global Competitiveness.

The New Year began on a high note for Dubai Duty Free with the operation announcing record annual sales of Dhs7.406 billion (US$2.029 billion) for 2019.

 It was clear that a remarkable year was coming to a close in December when the retailer crossed the US$2 billion milestone on 26th December. The operation’s 36th Anniversary Day on December 20th, when customers were offered a 25% discount on a range of products, resulted in a huge surge in sales with 190,208 transactions recorded on the day amounting to sales of Dhs111.65 million (US$30.59 million) in the 24-hour period.

Reflecting on the year at Dubai Duty Free, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO said: “Overall, it has been a fantastic year for the operation and I would like to thank Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free for his ongoing support. I also join His Highness in thanking our great team of staff, our suppliers and of course our customers, for their contribution to our growth and success.”

In 2019, the operation recorded over 24.284 million sales transactions which is an average of 66,500 sales transactions per day, while a total of over 64.578 million units of merchandise were sold.

The top five selling categories for the year included Perfumes followed by Liquor, Cosmetics, Tobacco and Electronics. Sales of Perfumes, which rose by 2% over 2018, reached Dhs1.124 billion (US$307.85 million) and accounted for 15% of the total annual sales.

Liquor in second place recorded sales of Dhs1.110 billion (US$304.24 million) and accounted for 15% of total annual sales.

WAM