Corruption in Customs

This paper identifies that no country is immune to the problem of corruption and that the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by customs administrations are ongoing and require constant vigilance and practical strategies to address the problem in a holistic way. Reference is made to the World Customs Organization’s (WCO) Revised Arusha Declaration, pointing out that its ten key elements are still relevant and that World Bank projects contribute to efforts to combat corruption and inefficiencies in customs and border management. The ongoing need for customs reform and modernisation programs is highlighted – programs that address institutional weaknesses, including human resource management issues, and ways to improve formal consultative mechanisms between officials and the trading community. Examples are cited of projects that have had some success in Thailand, Cameroon and Afghanistan. The paper concludes that where initiatives have been implemented as part of much wider customs reform and modernisation programs, there is a high correlation between overall improvement in operational effectiveness and integrity enhancement.