Faster customs clearance with GIZ

Fresh and perishable food, urgently needed spare parts, medicines or medical equipment: Many types of goods should not be stuck in customs for hours. It is expensive, can pose a health risk or bring entire production lines to a standstill.

Fruit arrives in Germany quicker and at lower cost

Thanks to GIZ, things are now moving along faster at many borders. Like in Morocco: Anyone who wants to sell fruit and vegetables in the European Union must first prove that the goods are pest-free. GIZ supported Moroccan custom authorities in switching to digital certificates. The result: less paperwork to get melons and mangoes onto plates in Germany. Traders save four hours when exporting their goods from Morocco. This amounts to financial savings of USD 280 per container, which can be passed on to consumers in Germany.

GIZ is working with dozens of German and international companies to facilitate trade worldwide. Including with: Adidas, BASF, Beiersdorf, BMW, Bosch, DHL, Siemens Healthineers. The companies advise, inform and work together with governments and associations worldwide on measures for faster customs clearance and free trade. The EU, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Canada and Sweden are promoting the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation. GIZ supports implementation.

Thanks so preliminary checks, there’s planning security

The companies work with GIZ on specific projects: DHL, for example, implemented measures for faster trade with GIZ in twelve countries. In Montenegro, the project partners worked together so that traders can register what is in their parcels before the goods arrive at the airport. Customs can check the freight in advance, assess risks and carry out more targeted checks. DHL tested the IT software with customs authorities. GIZ trained customs officials and advised the government on legislative changes. In Montenegro, this doubled the number of shipments released by customs within a one hour-period. Sarah Meinert, Head of DHL GoTrade, said: ‘Trade facilitation creates new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. At DHL, we help to seize these opportunities - with solutions that make markets more accessible and supply chains more resilient.’

Similar efforts are underway in Tunisia: There, GIZ established binding preliminary decisions together with Bosch and BASF. This allows companies to clarify in advance how their goods will be handled under customs law. When German companies - like Bosch - now export spare parts or components to Tunisia, they can be sure that there will be no discussions at the border. In this way, GIZ creates planning security - also for the German economy.