Zimra addresses Asycuda hiccups

agents for coming up with the new programme while they were ill prepared.
Zimra has been accused of giving the clearing agents a very short notice for them to adjust to the new system.
Zimra introduced Asycuda in October last year.
Asycuda World (Automated System for Customs Data) is a more efficient and advanced system for customs data processing since it is Internet based.
This means that any clearing agent registered with Zimra can lodge a bill of entry from anywhere in the world where there is Internet connectivity.
Communication between Zimra and the agent is, therefore, done electronically.
In an interview yesterday, Zimra’s director of legal and corporate affairs, Ms Florence Jambga, said they attended to most issues of concern around the new system.
“Although we faced some challenges during the introduction of the new system, as is associated with any new system, we have managed to rectify any teething problems and the system is now functioning properly.
“As you are aware, Asycuda World is Internet-based and requires the agents to also upgrade their systems to ensure flawless transactions.
“Zimra has a business continuity plan in place and has back-ups for any unforeseen occurrences. For instance, the manual system can be used in the unlikely event that the Asycuda system is down,” she said.
Ms Jambga added that entries were now being cleared from between three hours and a day depending on the availability of the requisite documents and correct information. She added that they had also made it a priority that all hazardous substances are given first preference on clearance and such traffic has an express lane.
“No hazardous cargo is, therefore, being delayed at ports of entry and exit,” she added. Ms Jambga said Zimra had introduced the new clearance system in a bid to improve efficiency and do away with corruption and other shady deals between their officials and clients.
“Remote submission of bills of entry improves convenience since entries can now be lodged from any place in the world, provided there is Internet connectivity.
Previously, entries could only be lodged through a limited central point using a contracted company.
“Asycuda World also assists in fighting corruption since entries can be assessed by a team of national examiners based in various centres throughout the country.
This, therefore, reduces face-to-face interactions that are sometimes abused for rent-seeking activities.
“You will also realise that we have a risk management system in place that ensures that only certain cargo is sent for physical examination.
This system is actually embedded in the new Asycuda World system.
It is, therefore, not correct to say that we have adopted a 100 percent search on all cargo,” she said.
The chief executive of the Shipping and Forwarding Agencies Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ), Mr Joseph Musariri, had earlier this week indicated that introduction of Asycuda was affecting the smooth flow of cargo especially at Harare International Airport and Beitbridge Border Post.
He called on Zimra to come up with a clear position and way forward in addressing the chaos.
He added that they had engaged the parastatal over their concerns but nothing had materialised yet.
“There is a general feeling that the authority was not taking its clients seriously and continued to take a business as usual attitude/approach in the face of a national crisis.
“You will realise that a very short notice was given to clearing agents before the system upgrade was rolled out in order to adequately prepare clearing agents for the changeover.
“Furthermore, the system was not properly tested before the rollout.
“The pilot run that was done for Harare was half-baked as only a small aspect of the system upgrade was done. A dry run of the system at a national level could have been more appropriate.
“We have also noted with concern that the system implementation strategy was one-sided in favour of Zimra and there did not appear to have been a Plan B in the event that problems that were eventually encountered were to be addressed,” he said.