Local
The Border Ports Authority announced the detection of cargo description manipulation at the Trebil border crossing, preventing a financial loss exceeding 410 million Iraqi dinars. This came during a surprise visit by the Authority's head, Lieutenant General Omar Adnan Al-Waeli, as part of efforts to enhance oversight on cargo descriptions and prevent customs duty fraud. Four trucks were found to have manipulated cargo descriptions to reduce payable customs fees. Three trucks carrying electrical cables had their customs descriptions altered to 'copper wires less than 6 mm,' resulting in a customs fee difference of 122 million dinars per truck, totaling 366 million dinars. The fourth truck's cargo was declared as 'presses for straw or fodder,' but technical inspection revealed the actual goods were packaging machines. Manipulation involved calculating customs fees based on weight instead of quantity, along with altering the declared dollar value, causing a customs fee discrepancy of 44 million dinars. This operation underscores the importance of field presence and technical scrutiny in uncovering attempts to manipulate customs descriptions and preventing exploitation of loopholes for illicit gains at the expense of public funds. Procedures were carried out after obtaining a decision from the competent investigative judge and in the presence of the Trebil Customs Center director, with transactions processed through the ASYCUDA system. The visit included a broad meeting with representatives of departments operating at the crossing to discuss workflow mechanisms and overcome obstacles, alongside an inspection tour of the crossing's facilities and infrastructure. The Authority's head also monitored the organization of empty trucks entering the crossing, directing the streamlining of their movement and simplifying entry procedures to reduce waiting times and ease burdens on drivers, especially with nearly 1,000 trucks entering daily, reflecting the growing commercial activity and transport movement between Iraq and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. He met with several truck drivers to hear directly about their needs and challenges, affirming the Authority's commitment to removing difficulties and providing necessary facilitation to ensure smooth transport and trade exchange according to prevailing regulations and instructions. The Authority confirmed its continued field oversight approach and firm measures to protect public funds, enhance non-oil revenues, tighten control over border crossings, while facilitating trade movement and simplifying procedures in accordance with laws and regulations.
