Athens Airport Customs working closer with shippers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 15, 2010 -- As part of its strategy of streamlining the processes within its freight division. The airport cargo committee (ACCC), led by Alexios Sioris and his team, defined Customs as one area of potential improvement. During 2008 veteran Customs expert, Georgios Vitos joined the group to suggest solutions for improving the flow of both import and export traffic, and to bring Athens in line with Greece’s EU colleagues and competitors. He has spent 35 years in the Greek Customs service both at home and in Brussels and brings a wealth of experience to bring to the table.

“The structure of the Customs administration in the framework of the general public administration is rather cumbersome. Its challenge is to balance the relationship of protecting state interests with the needs of commercial operators. Customs officials try to control every action during the working process resulting in a great deal of detailed work for Customs officials and disproportionate pressure on commercial operators. The high volume of community legislation, is combined with an old-fashioned system of training and methods. From the shippers; point of view, processes sometimes take too long and lack transparency.

"As far as other countries are concerned, I don't know the Customs of all countries that well, but from those that I have visited, I think Netherlands probably has the most efficient Customs administration evolving efficient control without increasing the formalities to business customers. I am confident that we can learn from our neighbours with simplified procedures. Furthermore, the introduction of advanced electronic declaration under the rules of World Customs Organisation (WCO) will force more efficiency into the global process. Already adopted by the USA, as the main initiating country, followed by Canada and India, EU countries should apply these rules from 1st July 2009, but due to the time needed to install the systems, the start date has been postponed to the 1st of January 2011. All main countries and Customs unions of the world will apply these rules that will strengthen the safety and security of the international trade.

"I think commercial operators dealing with Customs must master the legislation, and insist on the application of modern methods. The modernisation of Customs operational framework is not just the responsibility of Customs administration, the private sector must participate actively. It will require a joint team approach to really create a smooth and seamless traffic flow through our national airport, if we can achieve this, the future potential for Greece is enormous.”

Alexios Sioris, manager of cargo development reports that at the end of year review 6 out of 16 various issues have been resolved, mainly thanks to contributions from Georgios Vitos working closely with the joint cargo committee. Relations Customs and the operators are working well.

For more information please contact IMC Creations Ltd www.imccreation.com

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