THE Electronic Single Window System (eSWS) that was to start operation at the Dar es Salaam port last month to fast track cargo clearance has been delayed to allow the port authorities complete migration from “Asycuda” to a new Customs ICT system.

The Minister for Transport Minister, Samuel Sitta has said in Parliament on Saturday that migration to the Electronic Single Window System (eSWS) at the port has been delayed to allow smooth transition from Automated System for Customs Data (Asycuda) to the Tanzania Customs Integrated Systems (TANCIS).

The new electronic Single Window System needs to be adjusted to comply with TANCIS and that will be completed by December this year, he said as he moved estimates of his ministry in Parliament.

“Due to Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) migration from ASYCUDA to TANCIS, electronic Single Window System will need to undergo adjustments to enable it comply with TANCIS.

The work to merge is expected to be completed in December 2015” he said. Early last year the transformation started to replace the Asycuda++ version that Tanzania Revenue Authority has used a long time with a new Customs ICT system.

The migration to TANCIS has contributed to delays in the amount of time a container spends at the terminal, container dwell time (CDT), which has slightly increased from 9.3 days in May last year to 9.5 in April this year, he said.

The decline in efficiency in clearing containers at the terminal was due to the migration process, he said. The Minister in general efficiency at the port operations had improved with ship turn-around time decreasing to 3.1 days in April this year from 4.8 days in May last year.

The port’s Roll on Roll off capacity for eight hour shift had increased to 852 vehicles in April this year compared to 800 vehicles in May last year.

The number of load served by the Port of Dar es Salaam reached 12.7 million tonnes in April this year compared to 10.3 million tonnes in May last year, he said.

The new ICT system is being introduced following an outcry over the old system which caused excessive bureaucracies and delays when clearing goods.

TRA expects the system will lead to trade facilitation with a view to reducing the cost of doing business. The development of TANCIS started since 2009 involving various players in the cargo clearance chain.

Some of the players involved in the system development included Tanzania Shipping Agents Association (TASAA), Tanzania Freight Forwarders Association (TAFFA), Tanzania Food and Drug Authority (TFDA), Bank of Tanzania (BOT) and Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA).

The involvement of stakeholders was due to the fact that clearance of cargo involves various players such as banks, regulatory bodies, importers and exporters.

Source: Daily News

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