Israel Planning New Customs System, Existing System Will Remain Close For 4 Days - USDA Report
To deploy state-of-the-art technologies, concepts and interfaces between members of the trade community as well as new internal procedures and policies aimed at improving and accelerating customs procedures while facilitating trade and law enforcement efforts, the New Global Gate System of Israel’s customs directorate will remain offline from 10th January to 14th January in 2018. This means that there will be no custom services available during the transition period of the new system, according to the authorities of Israel, as suggested by global agriculture information report by USDA. It also says that as it is a long four days period, the dates of emergency procedures will be published on a later date.
The project will allow the rapid integration of Israel Customs into the international trend of simplifying foreign trade procedures according to standards set forth by international conventions and agreements such as the Kyoto Convention and the World Trade Organization.
Following the entry of the new system, a number of changes will take place in customs procedures including the following:
- Importers will have the ability to grant power of attorney to others (custom and clearance agents e.g.) to carry out customs procedures.
- Affidavit and other documents transferred in digital form and can be digitally signed by the importer.
- Importers will be required to use “smart card” for customs operations. Working with "smart card"
- To perform operations with Customs, including completing and submitting online forms and files, importers will be required to use a smart card. Further details will be provided to the global freight forwarding community as these are published by the Customs Directorate.
The head of the Israeli Customs Directorate has announced that its services will be offline January 10, 2018. ‘The downtime is needed for the installation of a new computerized system’ says Shaar Olami (Global Gate).
The new system aims to improve the level of service in customs and provide rapid transit of goods to and from the State of Israel. This will enter into force on Sunday, January 14, 2018. According to the plan, the switch over to the new system will take place along four calendar days during which time the current system will be offline as follows:
1. Wednesday, January 10, 2018 (current system will be switched off).
2. Thursday thru Saturday, January 11-13, 2018, the system will be offline.
3. Sunday, January 14, 2018 (mid-day – the new system will be switched on).
No customs service will be available during the transition period to the new system. Authorities note that urgent cargoes that arrive during the transition period will be cleared under special customs’ emergency procedures.
