Government

Dubai 30 March 2015: Dubai Customs takes part in the 3rd Dubai Government Achievements Exhibition (DGAE), showcasing a bundle of in-house innovated projects geared up to increase Dubais competitiveness.

H.E. Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Dubai Customs Director made his statement marking this event, This exhibition brings together all government entities under one roof as per the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aimed at the exchange of expertise and showcasing government milestones in all fields, which in return shall contribute to creating a better world. It also stands as a motivational factor for these agencies to exceed themselves year after year. As well, holding this exhibition shall contribute drastically in fulfilling Dubai Plan 2021 requirements by consolidating the efforts of all participating entities and highlighting their smart services. Mahboob added that this years exhibition motto (Local Government ... Global Achievements) is an optimal platform for updating both national and international visitors on Dubai Customs efforts exerted in developing its working mechanisms. Ahmed Mahboob also stressed out that the sky is the limit for Dubai Customs aspirations. It extends to assume the finest levels of first-hand innovations in response to our wise leadership directives in adopting innovation and creativity in all fields, which coincides with Dubai transformation into the worlds smartest city and hosting of EXPO 2020.

Dubai Customs takes part in this years exhibition with a bouquet of exquisite in-house developed projects, aimed at enhancing the departments role in protecting the society and anchoring the economy by simplifying procedures and ensuring time and effort efficiency. Thus, actuating DCs vision in becoming the leading customs administration in the world supporting legitimate trade. Musabih further highlighted, Dubai Customs is welcoming this vital event with a bundle of initiatives and projects that we cherish, for it reflects the spirit of creativity and innovation that is being bestowed upon us by the wise leadership, especially that this years 3rd edition coincides with the 5th Annual Investment Meeting 2015. The exhibition is expected to be toured by international delegates who would find out the latest cutting-edge breakthroughs introduced by the entities of the Dubai Government in various areas of innovation and smart transformation, which are the landmarks of local government work. Dubai Customs participating projects support the vision and mission of the government organization, and below is an overview of these projects:

Advanced Container Scanning System (ACSS)
The Advanced Container Scanning System is the first innovative and comprehensive solution in the world that combines and integrates multiple components of inspection technologies. It is the latest world-class integrated system for container X-ray screening. The device is capable of scanning the contents of 150 containers per hour moving at 8 to 15 km/hour, that is one truck every 24 seconds. Developed and deployed in house by Dubai Customs, the ACSS is aimed at enhancing border security, reducing waste of resources, and reinforcing risk mitigation while maintaining a smooth flow of trade. In 2014, around 380,000 containers were referred to inspection by ACSS at Jebel Ali Customs Center.

Smart Customs Inspection System
A first-of-its-kind inspection system worldwide, the Bags Smart Inspection System has been invented by Dubai Customs to better facilitate the customs inspectors functions, in a swift and innovative manner apart from any stalling or complexity. The system aims to improve the customs experience for air travellers, ensuring smooth and seamless airport procedures. The new invention has the capacity to conduct the whole inspection process in less than three minutes.

The integrated multi-function system is capable of recognising its operator, identifying risk level, recommending the safety level for manual inspection referral, timing the inspection process, generating an inspection end statement (positive/negative), establishing a record of the manually inspected bags, analyzing peak times for manual inspection, establishing a passengers data base record while measuring their levels of satisfaction and happiness post to their input in the feedback sheet linked to the system.

Smart Phone Services
Dubai Customs delivers its entire array of services to clients through smart gadgets. Its integrated system of smart services does not only allow clients to submit their requests through mobile phones, but also ensures the requested services are processed the moment they are received by the respective employee. E-mails are sent to clients immediately after the implementation begins, informing them about the time needed to deliver the services they requested. Dubai Customs saved customers the time and trouble of filling out shipping details, as this information can be obtained automatically through the network points between DC and handling agencies.

Dubai Customs was the first government department in Dubai to provide 100% of its services to clients through smart phone devices and tablets in October 2013. And, on July 2014, DC launched smart watch services, offering its customers more convenience and accessibility to services. This is an added value for customers, as it cuts down their business costs, saves their time and reduces the need for personnel to carry out customs transactions.

Risk Engine
The in-house developed Risk Engine is primarily fed with information from various sources to identify the suspected shipments at a high level of accuracy and refer them to inspection according to intelligence standards and bases, so as to reach the best results in combating smuggling and save the time and effort in inspections to enable customers to get their shipments cleared in a time-efficient manner. Consequently, 84% of the safe transactions (i.e. risk-free) are evaluated by the Risk Engine and cleared electronically without any human intervention in less than two minutes.

In 2014, around 5.9 million declarations were submitted to Dubai Customs. The Risk Engine referred 4.7% of these declarations (281,300 declarations) to the Risk Mitigation Team at the Customs Declaration Management for further investigation, as per the plan proposed by the Intelligence Department.
The smart system helped in scoring numerous seizures since its launch. Some of the major seizures that resulted following referral from the Risk Engine are a Tramadol seizure in 2014 that contained 108 boxes of this substance, a 550,000 Captagon pills seizure, a major 171.2 kg Cocaine seizure which is considered as one of the largest nationwide during the past five years, besides numerous seizures of ivory, bladed arms, and items of sorcery and witchcraft.

Virtual Corridor
The Virtual Corridor is a newly adopted customs procedure for the transportation of goods under a Cargo Transport Request between two Dubai Customs centres and only by Dubai roads connecting the center of entry (access from the outer world) to the center of exit (destination in Dubai).
The new initiative aims to facilitate the movement of transit goods and reduce operational costs for clients in order to further consolidate Dubais business competitiveness and sustain its economic growth by attracting in more traders and investments.

Among its main benefits, the Virtual Corridor helps expedite the process of moving cargo form one customs center to another inside Dubai. It is also cost-efficient for traders as they move their goods across different customs centers; participants in the Virtual Corridor can avail themselves of a virtual financial guarantee granted by Dubai Customs. In addition, customs processes are now made simpler and more streamlined with automated cargo transport requests. The pilot phase of the project, which involved 16 leading handlers and freight companies, was well received by all participants. A total of 10,024 transactions were processed using the Virtual Corridor between August 26, 2014 through March 21, 2015.

Amphibious Craft (Mobile Laboratory)
The Amphibious Craft is an environment friendly vehicle, equipped with 10 cutting-edge inspection devices, all operated with solar power around the clock. The high-tech vehicle is created for the purpose of detecting maritime customs threats which Customs inspectors may be prone to while performing their tasks, considering the high traffic of vessels and dhows at Dubai Creek. This project is actuated as per the suggestions of the Customs Intelligence cadre at Dubai Customs. The Amphibious Craft conducts maritime patrols nearby vessels and dhows at Dubai Creek, capable of detecting hazardous and prohibited items within a span of 300 meters by exploring the vessels parameter, hull and even the farfetched internal compartments. The Craft is equipped with a live streaming camcorders documenting the inspection, while being remotely monitored by DCs Command and Control Room.

Post Clearance Audit (PCA)
The PCA is an audit-based control conducted by Dubai Customs subsequent to the release of goods to ensure compliance with Customs and other related laws and regulations. Dubai Customs has reinforced its PCA processes with new technologies, making them smart and fully integrated. DCs clients were invited to innovation labs and their optimal feedback was incorporated during the process of making this first of its kind system.

Robotic Inspector
The first of its kind Robotic Inspector is a robust robotic device used in large vehicles inspections at the inland inspection centers. It helps in reducing the needed time of inspection down to half an hour, rather than earlier 4 hours average for the same process.

Inspection Motor Trike
Dubai Customs has come up with the idea of using a motor trike for inspection at Hatta Border Port. The Trike is fully equipped with latest technologies in customs processes for inspecting vehicles prior to their arrival at the ports customs zone. The Trike is set to streamline the flow of travellers and increase security at the port.

Safe Customs Inspector
Dubai Customs is always keen on providing its inspection team with the utmost of care and attention, being the societys first line of defense. This effort is interpreted in providing a safe working environment meeting day-to-day field operations needs and functions across all customs ports of entry.
DC has provided its team of inspectors with a high-end gear, aiding the inspection process and helping them meet the work environment demands in air, sea and inland Customs centres.

Dubai Customs Safe Customs Inpector outfit and gear comprise of a field inspection outfit, head protection (cap), moisture wicking jacket, protective handgloves, protective shoes, toxic gas detector, respirator mask (protective against toxic scents and fumes), protective glasses (day/night) and portable camcorder

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