Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority celebrates International Customs Day on January 26th each year, under the theme " Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security and Prosperity." This theme highlights the importance of enhancing customs obligations worldwide towards the safety and security of supply chains, ensuring facilitation of trade to contribute to sustainable economic growth, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The goal of the theme set by the World Customs Organization is to encourage customs administrations worldwide to advance efficiency levels by developing customs procedures, effectively digitizing processes, establishing mechanisms for electronic data exchange to facilitate trade, improving data-driven operations, utilizing optimal technologies, implementing risk management methodologies, and leveraging advanced technologies such as data analysis and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the focus is on concerted efforts to prevent the movement of prohibited goods, combat illicit trade, and support prosperity goals by enhancing innovation and entrepreneurship.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the Authority has achieved advanced levels of efficiency in customs operations in line with the organization's theme. This includes the continuous development of the customs service system to support the goals of facilitating cross-border trade, simplifying and accelerating customs procedures through the utilization of the latest security technologies. The Authority has adopted advanced solutions such as artificial intelligence and data analysis to monitor risks, enhance digitization of customs procedures, and develop methodologies for electronic data exchange across all customs operations.
In this context, supported by trade facilitation initiatives, customs ports completed procedures for over 6.2 million customs declarations for imports and exports in 2024. They also processed procedures for more than 2.5 million incoming containers through seaports, in addition to handling procedures for over 27 million vehicles and trucks, coming into and leaving the Kingdom's ports.
On the level of security enhancement and the role played by the Authority in this regard, security technologies have played a prominent role in facilitating trade, speeding up and enhancing inspection processes, while ensuring the prevention of prohibited goods movement and combating illicit trade. As a result of these efforts, the Authority succeeded in thwarting over 80,000 smuggling cases involving various prohibited items in 2024, underscoring its role in enhancing security measures and protecting the community.
The Authority affirms its commitment to continue developing customs operations and supporting the goals of the World Customs Organization to enhance cooperation with its counterparts in member states of the Organization. This is aimed at achieving common objectives, staying abreast of the latest technological innovations to support its vision of trade facilitation, and developing a sustainable customs system. This will further enhance the Kingdom's position as a global economic and commercial hub.
