"UAE Customs" 40 million customs transactions will be completed in 2024

Abu Dhabi, January 26 / WAM / The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security stressed the importance of the role of “Emirates Customs” in enhancing the security of society, maintaining its stability, supporting the economic growth of the UAE and achieving prosperity, by facilitating trade and enhancing trade exchange with countries of the world. Managing customs risks, combating the smuggling of goods, prohibited goods and dangerous materials, protecting borders, confronting money laundering and terrorist financing attempts, in addition to combating illicit trade and enhancing international cooperation.
His Excellency Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of the Authority, said in a statement on the occasion of World Customs Day, which falls on January 26 of each year, that “UAE Customs” was able to build and innovate modern and advanced customs systems and achieve unprecedented achievements and results in the field of digital transformation, operations and seizures. Customs duties.
He pointed out that UAE Customs has succeeded in fulfilling its obligations to achieve efficiency in the performance of customs operations, maintain security, and contribute to achieving prosperity and raising the rate of economic growth, by improving customs operations and raising their level of efficiency through fully digital transformation, modernizing and simplifying procedures, and developing customs services. Enhancing operations based on data and analytical tools, using the latest inspection and monitoring devices, and cooperating with strategic partners inside and outside the country, in addition to enhancing the security of supply chains and combating smuggling and money laundering attempts. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship and contributing to attracting capital and investment.
For his part, His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej Al Falasi, Acting Director General of Customs and Port Security, said that the number of customs transactions completed by UAE Customs during the year 2024 grew at unprecedented rates compared to 2023, by a rate of 49%, reaching about 40. One million transactions compared to 26.8 million transactions in 2023.
He explained that the percentage of customs departments’ commitment to the customs procedures approved in the Customs Procedures Manual reached 100% in 2024, and the average customs clearance time reached only 5 minutes at the state level, which reflects the extent of their success in employing technology in the customs clearance process, innovating customs systems and managing risks. Customs duties efficiently and competently, simplifying procedures and operations, attracting the latest equipment, expanding the use of trained customs dogs in inspection, and raising the level of efficiency of agents. Customs duties through training and exchange of experiences and knowledge.
He said that the achievements of Emirates Customs, in the field of customs seizures, reflect its important role in maintaining the security of society and standing with all strength and vigilance in the face of smuggling attempts, especially drugs that target the youth of the Emirates, as they are the most precious possessions of the Emirates, in addition to its important role in combating the smuggling of drugs. Dangerous materials, money laundering attempts, and terrorist financing through trade.
He added that the total number of customs seizures during the past year amounted to about 15,866 seizures, and that “Emirates Customs” carried out 276 inspection missions at the country’s customs ports during the year, while the number of supporting agencies in inspection operations reached 204, which is considered one of the most modern in the field of customs inspection.
He pointed out the success of Emirates Customs in fulfilling the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) related to combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism through trade by 100%, and the completion of the “Afshah” system for disclosing cash amounts and cash equivalents accompanied by travelers departing or arriving to the country, as it is one of the projects. Transformation of the Authority by 100%, in addition to an increase in the completion rate in implementing the “Emirates Customs Platform” project to 60.7%, and the project to secure border crossings to 74%.

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