Wish You a Customs Compliant Christmas

Many people do not value the work of a Customs officer. A Customs officer is viewed as someone who has it easy and has this amount of money readily available to meet all of their demands. This week was difficult for most Customs officers working at ports of entry, including myself. With the searing heat of Beitbridge and the serpentine lines of vehicles and tourists, the tasks of an officer were extremely frustrating. Taking a bottle of drinking water from anyone is unethical in our profession since it could be interpreted as taking a bribe. You consume your water in our atmosphere.  

As we assisted multitudes of Zimbabweans returning from South Africa for the Christmas break, I had time to ponder on the importance of a Customs officer. Beitbridge has been a hive of activity in the last week, with roughly 25000 travellers passing through the border post daily. Customs personnel have not had it easy, with employers pressing for better service and clients demanding more. Unlike a health worker, who is usually praised by the client for their services, a Customs officer is usually mocked as someone who is uneducated and needs training on how to do their job, and sadly, the notion that a client is always right does not necessarily apply in our environment.

What should be appreciated is that Customs, together with the armed forces, is the first line of defence for any nation, which is why in some nations Customs is part of the security forces. We serve to protect civil society while also facilitating trade and collecting revenue. We cannot allow anything you bring into the nation without proper documentation; consequently, it is your responsibility to accurately declare what you are bringing in.

I have observed that the general population lacks knowledge about foreign travel and Customs procedures. Let me mention a few and make some recommendations;

•       Customs & Immigration laws -A week or two before your trip, learn about the customs and immigration rules of the country you plan to visit, regardless of how many times you have been there. "Laws keep changing”. 

•       Planing for travel- Always, plan ahead of time for travel and pack all necessary documents, such as passports, immunisation certificates, vehicle papers, and so on. Avoid last-minute travel and plan for unanticipated border delays.

•      Luggage - Pack your luggage and be certain of the contents and values. Also, consider what you can bring into the country duty-free.

•       Border formalities -When you arrive at the border, always seek assistance from official authorities. Never seek help from folks loitering around the parking lot. Always pay attention to signage and personnel in official attire. Many people have lost money to con men on the bridge before the border.

•       Assistance to strangers -Never agree to assist strangers with clearance of vehicles and goods, even for a fee. It is the responsibility of approved clearing agents/brokers to do so. Some people have been left with obligations they were unaware of since they assisted someone they did not know the last time they visited.

•   Temporary importation of goods- Most governments grant temporary importation privileges to legitimate foreign residents entering the country. When leaving the country, goods imported under temporary importation privileges should always be re-exported alternatively arrange to pay the duty if you decide to leave these in the country.

As we go into the New Year let us start preparing for the next Christmas season travel gathering up all the information and documents. I hope this article helps someone somewhere.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and do not reflect the opinion of any institution.