Customs administrations have a long history in the development and deployment of ICT systems and ICT development continues to be a fundamental requirement for all Members. The WCO has developed instruments to assist Members implement ICT systems and message development guidelines related to data creation and management of customs information. Data Model version 3.0, due for release to Members in December 2009, is the latest version of these guidelines which of course also incorporates cross border agency and ‘single window’ functionality.

In addition to the work done within the Committees of the WCO, the yearly ICT Conferences with an attendance of more than 500 participants per year, provide a further opportunity for Customs, Private Sector and ICT vendors to come together to discuss and share experiences associated with current ICT related issues as they apply to the international cross border domain.

The second and rapidly emerging part of the technology relates to Inspection Technologies, designed to enhance the efficiency of Customs controls. In this area the WCO has become increasingly active in support of members wishing to procure and deploy this type of technology.

A Databank on Advanced Technology has been created, Guidelines for the purchase and deployment of X-Ray scanners have been produced and endorsed by the SAFE working group, and the Secretariat is currently working with ROCB’s on organizing a series of regional scanning workshops over the coming months.

Inspection technologies to aid customs examinations are developing at a rapid pace and when deployed as part of a layered risk management approach the pay-offs associated with implementation are increasing as these technologies mature. The use of inspection technologies in support of Customs activities is becoming increasingly important as members develop strategies to counter issues such as increasing trade volumes, static resources, trade security and terrorism, accurate revenue collection, supply chain facilitation, piracy and counterfeiting, commercial fraud, false documentation, money laundering and public health and safety.

Given the tremendous importance and opportunities now presented by the development of technologies that support customs front line operations and in order to assist Members to assess the merits of the technology products on offer,

It was decided the WCO would organize and host the first ever WCO Technology and Innovation Forum with an aim of making it a yearly event.

WORKING ON THE TEXT

Ex.1. SKIMMING:

a. Read the headline and the first sentence of each paragraph of the text. Pair up to discuss the topic of the article.

b. Read the first paragraph and the last paragraph of the text. Then work in pairs to discuss the contents of the piece.

c. Read the text. Get into pairs to discuss the contents of the piece.

Ex.2. SCANNING:

a. While scanning the text find the answers for content-specific questions given by the teacher.

b. While scanning the text pick out the sentences containing the key words given by the teacher.

Ex.3. READING: Read and translate the text “Customs Technologies”.

Ex.4. TEXT QUESTIONS: Look back at the text and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

• Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.

Ex.5. GLOSSARY: Make a Glossary of terms used in the text.

Ex.6. FILL IN THE GAPS:

1. The principles that define the use of technology in Customs can be found embedded in ____ ____ of the WCO.

2. “Customs must take advantage of new and _____ ____ to enhance, amongst others, _____, risk management, _______ and _______ detection”.

3. The WCO has developed instruments to assist Members implement ___ systems and ____ ____ guidelines related to ___ ___ and management of customs information.

4. Data Model version 3.0, due for release to Members in December 2009, is the ____ ____ of these guidelines which of course also incorporates cross border agency and ____ ____ functionality.

5. The second and ____ _____ part of the technology relates to ____ ____, designed to enhance the _____ of Customs controls.

6.  A ____ on ____ _____ has been created, Guidelines for the purchase and deployment of ____ ____ have been produced and endorsed by the SAFE working group, and the Secretariat is currently working with ROCB’s on organizing a series of ___ ___ ___ over the coming months.

7. The use of ____ ____ in support of Customs activities is becoming increasingly important as members develop _____ to counter issues such as increasing ___ ___, static resources, trade security and terrorism, accurate ___ ___, supply chain facilitation, ___ and ____, commercial ____, false documentation, ____ laundering and public health and ____.

Ex.7. GOOGLE SEARCH: Find in the Internet additional information about the WCO Technology and Innovation Forum.

Ex.8. PHRASE MATCH: Match left and right phrases.

Ex.8.WORD SEARCH: Decipher the abbreviations used in the text.

Ex.9.PRESENTATION: Make a computer presentation of customs inspectional techniques used by the FCS.

Ex.10. TEXT QUESTIONS: Look back at the text and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

• Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
• Ask your partner / group your questions.

Ex.11 SPEAKING: Speak on the topic “Customs Technologies”

Text 2