Customs and free zones

In recent times, we have witnessed a clear shift of the role of Customs from the collection of VAT and Customs duties towards the application of non-tariff measures, including those related to security and safety, the fight against counterfeit goods, money laundering, drugs trafficking, economic crimes, the illicit trade in wild fauna and flora, as well as the application of sanitary, health, environmental and consumer protection measures. This increase in the role and responsibility of Customs has generally led to a rise in the physical inspection of goods in many countries with inevitable constraints on fast clearance times.