ASTANA – Kazakhstan will completely switch to electronic customs declaration, according to the draft code “On Customs Regulation in Kazakhstan” presented at the Aug. 22 government meeting, reported inform.kz.
“Speaking of new things [in the code], one of the main [things] is the fundamentally new approach to customs regulation, which is about the automation of business processes at customs. Priority of electronic declaration is to be introduced. There is no need to attach any supporting documents. All the necessary information is indicated in the declaration. Declaring on paper will remain only in certain cases, for example, during technical failures,” said Kazakh Minister of National Economy Timur Suleimenov.
The draft law also provides the possibility of using the single-window system.
“Now, the customs authorities will not request documents that can be obtained from information systems of state bodies within information interaction,” he added.
Implementing these two provisions will allow goods to be released automatically. The innovations will significantly simplify the declaration process and reduce corruption risks.
“That is, the information system of customs bodies issues a declaration without the participation of officials if there are no potential violations. Thus, the legal significance is attached to the issue without the participation of a person,” he said.
The draft code consists of eight sections – general provisions, customs payments, customs operations, customs procedures, movement peculiarities of certain categories of goods, customs control, persons engaged in customs activities and final and transitional provisions. The new code would also permit postponing customs duties and taxes.
“The code has a number of opportunities that allow participants in foreign economic activities to optimise their costs; for example, to receive a delay in customs duties and taxes. If for any reason the declarant cannot immediately pay customs duties, the state gives him the right to use a deferral for a month with interest payments,” said Suleimenov.
In some cases, delays are provided up to six months without paying interest.
“This is, for example, when delivering supplies under international treaties, when importing agricultural machinery, planting materials or pedigree animals or in cases when the damage caused to the payer is a result of a natural disaster, technological catastrophe or other force majeure circumstances,” he said.
The new code also provides a two-fold reduction up to five days to clear customs goods.
Under the states’ agreement, the document will come into force Jan. 1, 2018, simultaneously with the Eurasian Economic Union customs code.
