Al-Aqalik: 2,100 Smuggling Cases Recorded Since Start of 2025 - Jordan News

Al-Aqalik: 2,100 Smuggling Cases Recorded Since Start of 2025 Brigadier General Ahmad Al-Aqalik, Director General of the Jordan Customs Department, confirmed that the department has successfully completed 11 projects under the first phase of the Economic Modernization Vision, reflecting its commitment to its central role in Jordan's national economic system. اضافة اعلان In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Al-Aqalik emphasized the significance of the recent meeting between His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein and Customs officials, describing it as a pivotal moment to assess progress and reinforce the importance of continuing to modernize customs procedures in alignment with the Kingdom's new economic vision. This aims to balance trade facilitation with the protection of the national economy. Among the key achievements was the development of the E-commerce Customs Center—one of the first specialized centers of its kind in the region. It facilitates the clearance and electronic monitoring of postal shipments and is supported by the newly established E-commerce Council, which enhances risk management and streamlines the flow of goods. Regarding the 'National Export' project, Al-Aqalik noted that it has reached 23% completion and is expected to be finalized by year-end. Meanwhile, the Electronic Clearance Project has reduced average processing time from nearly two months to one week—or even hours in some cases—saving both time and cost for users and improving the investment environment. He revealed that the Customs Department has launched a project to unify regulatory authorities by seconding personnel from relevant agencies to operate under one umbrella while maintaining each agency's legal jurisdiction. This aims to enhance field operations, activate the smart risk system, and standardize sample collection procedures. Al-Aqalik clarified that this integration does not undermine the authority of ministries such as Health, Agriculture, or Transport, but instead enhances coordination and simplifies procedures to accelerate service delivery and reduce bureaucracy. A new initiative is also being introduced: advance release of goods based on prior trader declarations, with audits to follow based on a risk-based system. This is expected to significantly reduce customs clearance time and ease pressure at border crossings. The system will be piloted in July for companies on the 'Silver List,' with a view to future expansion to the 'Gold List.' He added that the E-commerce Center recently processed over one million waybills, including around 30,000 customs declarations for items exceeding 200 dinars in value. He stressed the need to maintain a fair balance between traditional and e-commerce trade, especially given complaints from some sectors about the impact of online trade on local markets. Advanced X-ray inspection technology now deployed at most customs centers has helped speed up inspections and reduce unnecessary targeting. Some modern machines can accurately detect container contents, improving decision-making and saving time and effort. Regarding Jaber Border Crossing, Al-Aqalik noted that while the infrastructure is owned by the Ministry of Public Works, a development and expansion plan is being implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Interior to improve cargo flow and accommodate the increasing transit traffic to Syria. On customs revenues, he explained that the matter is overseen by the Ministry of Finance, while the Customs Department provides accurate data on customs revenues. Currently, 91% of tariff items are exempt from duties, as part of the state's effort to ease burdens on importers and stimulate economic growth. Al-Aqalik stated that Jordan Customs is among the first national institutions to fully embrace technology, currently operating around 100 systems built on the global ASYCUDA platform—the backbone of customs operations. These systems utilize programming languages such as Java and Oracle, demonstrating the department's technical advancement. A major ongoing project is the Comprehensive Customs System, which aims to unify procedures for customs declarations, exemptions, temporary admission, case management, and customs seals into a single digital platform. The project is currently in the procedural mapping phase, with plans to unify operations across major customs centers like Omari, Jaber, and Karameh, toward a fully integrated smart customs environment. The next phase will determine whether the system will be developed entirely in-house by Jordanian talent or in cooperation with donors or specialized companies. Jordanian staff are currently undergoing intensive training in business analysis and system design to strengthen internal implementation capabilities. The new system will integrate with HR systems and assign permissions based on roles rather than locations, increasing discipline, transparency, and integrity in customs work. Recent amendments to the Customs Law marked a qualitative leap in the sector. Observers consider it a modern law based on three pillars: shifting audit procedures from borders to warehouses through post-clearance audits, unifying oversight authorities under the Customs Department for inspections and risk management, and formally incorporating modern technologies—including real-time livestream access for customs inspections. The law resolved many previously ambiguous issues, such as the timing of seizures and valuation criteria, by clearly defining procedures in legislation, thus improving compliance and reliability. It was developed through broad consultation with stakeholders—including chambers of commerce and industry, clearance companies, and the private sector—reviewed with the Legislation and Opinion Bureau, and smoothly passed by both chambers of Parliament. It received Royal assent and will take effect 60 days after publication. On smuggling, Al-Aqalik emphasized that the phenomenon is global and requires continuous development of tools. Jordan Customs now relies heavily on internally developed intelligence and smart risk analysis systems, which have helped uncover advanced smuggling methods. He revealed that approximately 2,100 smuggling cases have been recorded since the beginning of the year, involving items such as cigarettes, drugs, and electronic vaping products. Smuggling methods have become increasingly sophisticated, demanding advanced field and intelligence efforts to combat them. As for electronic tracking, the system now covers around 98% of shipments, with traditional escorts used only in exceptional cases. Efforts are underway to enhance the system using modern technologies. Finally, Al-Aqalik underscored the importance of coordinated collaboration with security agencies, which takes place within legal frameworks. He affirmed that combating smuggling and protecting the economy is a national responsibility that requires ongoing coordination among state institutions.
— (Petra)

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