MALAWI CUSTOMS DECLARATION
The Malawi Customs Declaration Form, (Form 12), is the official
document that is used for all declarations to the MRA on imports and
exports except declarations on transit goods which is still being
done on bill of entry number 30. The form 12 was legalized on
15th May 2000 as part of the preparation for the computerization of
the MRA customs activities and has replaced all other forms
that were previously used for making declarations. It is
expected that this Malawi Customs Declaration Form will before the
end of 2001 replace the Form 30 and therefore become the single
administrative document on all customs declarations.
The Form 12 based on the prototype recommended by the COMESA, the
Customs Document (CD), and uses international standards and codes.
USAGE
Under the MRA Act, Customs and Excise legislation the Form 12 is
used for all declarations except for the following category of
goods:
- Non-merchandise (i.e personal goods/effects for personal use
by individuals) in travellers' baggage
- Merchandise (commercial goods) with a value not exceeding
MK30,000.00. Goods below this vale are cleared at the
point of importation through a customs baggage receipt.
- Postal imports, unless discretion by MRA is made that the
goods be entered on the Form 12.
- Temporary importation of motor vehicles into Malawi for a
period of less than 30 days
- Transit
COMPLETION OF THE FORM 12
Periodically, through announcements in the newspapers and radio,
the MRA organizes courses for the general public through out the
Country on filling of the Form 12. There are however, Clearing
Agents registered with the MRA that are authorized through
provisions of the Act to conduct business with the MRA on behalf of
other persons. Clearing Agents usually have offices at most of
the MRA border offices. The MRA has also made a comprehensive
summary on filling of the Form 12, which is found in the Customs and
Excise Tariffs Book that can be obtained from the MRA Headquarters
or Regional Offices at a fee.
ADVANTAGES
- The Form 12 has reduced the administrative burden on the
business community that has cost implications. No stock
piling of 13 different kinds of forms as was done in the
past. The format and data elements required on the form
means that procedures have been simplified thereby considerably
reducing the processing time. Its alignment to COMESA
standards will allow the business community to participate
effectively in import and export trade within the region.
- Will facilitate the computerization of customs activities in
Malawi.
- As the MRA collects data on international trade, which is used
by the National Statistical Office (NSO) for publication of
trade statistics, Form 12 was designed with this aspect in mind.
- The Form also enables the MRA to properly account for the
Government revenue.
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR CUSTOMS DATA (ASYCUDA)
ASYCUDA is a Customs Management System developed by United
Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) nearly 20 years
ago. The objective is to provide Customs administrations with
a modern, flexible and reliable tool capable of delivering a first
class Customs service. Service versions of the systems have
since been released but Malawi is currently using version 2.7, which
has also been updated several times since its first release few
years ago.
The ASYCUDA Program has its core function the processing of
declarations but encompasses other Customs functions such payment,
release of goods notification, warehousing, transit etc.
IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES
- Streamline procedures so as to reduce delays
- Facilitate the collection of trade data through on spot
collection and interfacing with the NSO Program
- Assist Government control of the revenue collecting process.
IMPLEMENTATION IN MALAWI
The Program was first introduced into Malawi, in 1998 for
development and configuration to suit the national interests.
It was then implemented as follows:-
- Chileka Airport in July 2000
- Blantyre Collectorate in October 2000.
- Lilongwe International Airport in February 2001 and then Mzuzu
office in May 2001
- Mzuzu office in May 2001
- It is expected that by the end of the year, Mwanza, Lilongwe (Kanengo)
and Songwe will be covered with ASYCUDA.
|
