Risk Based Compliance Management: Making it Work in Border Management Agencies

The World Bank's publication Border Management Modernization (2011)1 provides policymakers and reformers with a comprehensive 'whole of government' perspective on improving trade facilitation through better border management. In introducing the subject, it points to the fact that overly bureaucratic border clearance processes imposed by customs and other border agencies are considered to represent greater barriers to trade than the imposition of tariffs.Recognizing that Customs is only one of several agencies involved in border processing, Border Management Modernization provides extensive information on a broad range of international developments and contemporary principles that are applicable to all aspects of border management, irrespective of which agency may have the relevant policy or administrative responsibility. This Reference and Implementation Guide has been developed to supplement the information provided in the World Bank publication. Specifically, it builds on the contents of Chapter 6 (Core border management disciplines: risk-based compliance management) and Chapter 11 (Reform instruments, tools, and best practice approaches) by providing: an introduction to the key issues associated with the practical implementation of a modern risk-based compliance management regime in border management agencies; a step-by-step method of establishing a compliance management approach in a border management agency; practical examples covering a range of border management activities to illustrate the methodology; and useful tips to help identify and rationalize or eliminate resource intensive, time consuming and ineffective regulatory processes.