Ten customs offices across the country will implement the Automated System for Customs Data (Asycuda World) by this year, the Department of Customs has said.

Asycuda World is a new web-based customs management system that supports paperless cargo submission and processing. The digitalised system is expected to ease customs clearing procedures along with controlling illegal trade, officials said. The 10 customs offices going online are Mechi, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Krishnanagar, Nepalgunj, Kailali, Birgunj, Tatopani, Gaur and Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). The department recently launched the system at Sirsiya Dry Port in Birgunj and Mechi Customs in Jhapa.

Shishir Kumar Dhungana, director general of the department, said the new system will replace the existing Asycuda ++ system. “The 10 customs offices getting the new system cover around 97 percent of the country’s trade,” said Dhungana at a seminar on Customs Management here on Thursday.

Unlike the previous version, Asycuda World does not require a client for installation and can be accessed even if there is no internet connection. The system also allows clients to open bank accounts and make online payments, and enable customs agents, importers and exporters to make customs declaration from anywhere. It also facilitates submission of electronic copies of necessary documents.

Dhungana said the aforementioned customs offices will also be equipped with container scanners. “An individual scanner will be installed at the customs office of Tribhuvan International Airport,” he said, adding the department has prepared a working guideline for effective implementation of the paperless system in line with the four-year Customs Reform Strategy.

Implementation of the import-export code system, installation of a wide area network system at Rasuwagadhi customs and enhancement of customs infrastructure until the completion of the proposed Integrated Check Posts are among the goals the department has set for this year.

Meanwhile, revenue collection at customs points exceeded the target by 12.03 percent last year, adoring to the department. For 2016-17, the department targets to collect Rs246 billion in revenue.

Revenue Secretary Rajan Khanal said the new government has come up with plans to enforce “digital system” at customs points. “It will ensure easy customs clearing procedures along with controlling leakages in revenue collection,” he said.

Pashupati Murarka, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said delays in the customs clearance process have forced traders to pay detention charges.