Clearing agents hail the software adapted in Rwandan customs to speed up the clearance of goods and reduce delays in deliveries to customers.

The automated system used by clearing companies and customs suits well in the customs move to facilitate taxpayers’ with on-line filing and electronic payment systems.

In an interview with Eric Nsengimana, SDV Transami’s Operations Manger, said that the system helped in speeding up the declaration processing and shortening the clearance time.

According to Nsengimana, the days of clearing has reduced from three days to one day.

"The system has improved our efficiency, to have accurate and timely information and meet changes in technology to meet demands of modern trade,” he said.

He said that before, the company used to clear about ten files but it has increased to 50 files per day.

Five people were trained to use the system and because of lack of skilled manpower especially in the field of IT, the training will be an ongoing programme.

Nsengimana hailed that things have improved to the level of payment, and hope to improve better with the introduction of an electronic filing and payment system.

Online filing will see taxpayers file and register their supporting documents for Customs from their premises or some other location.

The number of the filing process will be reduced from 23 days to one day and from three locations to one location.

Nsengimana is optimistic that once on-line payment is introduced; it will reduce the risks involved in queuing up on banks with bulk money and reduce costs on transport for staff.

Rwandan customs introduced and implemented the ASYCUDA++ system end 2004.

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