GRODNO, 13 January (BelTA) – Preliminary information sharing using digital means allows reducing the time it takes to clear cargoes at the border, which are bound for the European Union, to 20-30 minutes. The statement was made by First Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Belarus Vladimir Goshin when he visited the Grodno Regional Customs House on 12 January. Preliminary digital information sharing about cargo imports to the European Union is in effect as of 1 January 2011. The information is subject to risk analysis long before the cargo arrives in the European Union. The information is submitted as import declarations to the customs authorities of the destination country. According to Vladimir Goshin, the procedure has not brought about additional problems for transporters and exporters. Those, who cannot submit preliminary information, can submit information at the customs house the way they used to before. However, companies are interested in this procedure. Many companies have signed contracts with the Belarusian company Beltamozhservis to provide the service of submitting preliminary information to European Union customs authorities. Without using the procedure it takes 2-3 hours to clear cargoes at the border, while the procedure can reduce the time to 20-30 minutes. Vladimir Goshin also said that at the beginning of the year there were minor difficulties relating to the introduction of new rules for filling in cargo declarations and transit declarations within the framework of the Customs Union. The problems were primarily related to software. At present the problem has been fixed. An information center has been deployed to provide consultations for economic entities. Customs officials can provide consultations in a routine manner.

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