Promoting the best practices’ exchange on key international transport corridors in Central Asia under Global Container Control Programme

From 24 to 28 February 2020, UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia organized a work study visit for the representatives of the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, members of the Port Control Unit (PCU) in “Altynkol” Customs post, Kazakhstan to the Republic of Poland under the UNODC-WCO (World Customs Organization) Global Container Control Programme (CCP). The visit hosted by the National Revenue Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Poland aimed at exchanging the best practices of the European Union (EU) and Central Asia in Customs control and risk management, as well as strengthening practical cross-border cooperation between Customs of Kazakhstan and Poland.   “Altynkol” Customs post is a gateway and covers one of the key dry ports in Central Asia along international transport corridors between China and EU.

The representatives of Kazakhstan had met with the representatives of the Office of Customs Department of the National Revenue Administration of Poland and learn about national databases on Customs/tax/revenues control and risk analysis integrated with the databases of other EU countries, as well as introduced to the measures in combating trans-border crime. The Kazakhstani delegation also shared their best practices on national risk management system and Customs operations on Kazakh-Chinese border, including PCU work in profiling container traffic by trains coming from China to Europe through Central Asia. The Customs officers of both countries acknowledged the importance of international practical cooperation through information and expertise sharing in the fight against illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime and other forms of black-market activity whilst facilitating the legitimate trade.

During the visit PCU officers of “Altynkol” Customs post visited the Border Crossing Points of Biala Podlyaska region at the Eastern border of Poland. They familiarized themselves with the infrastructure of the Regional Office of Revenue Administration in Lublin and Lubelski Customs and Tax Control Office, learned about Customs simplification activities and partnership with private sector. The team also visited the train standing place, the rail bridge and the terminals on Polish-Belarusian border to familiarize themselves with clearance operations of trains coming from China to European Union, including pre-arrival/departure data in automated imports/export/transit systems, profiling/selection/examination of vehicles and trucks as well as seizures cases on Terespol, Malaszewicze and Koroszczyn crossing points.

The CCP Regional Segment for Central Asia is funded by the Government of Japan and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and the Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Programme.