GRA institutes enhanced revenue protection measures at Customs: March 14, 2007
With the ultimate aim of collecting and protecting state revenue, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is strengthening its systems to facilitate speedy and more transparent processing. 

Commissioner General Mr. Khurshid Sattaur today said that while the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) became operational on January 1 to compliment the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Excise Tax (ET), recently additional changes were made to facilitate entry processing at the Customs & Trade Administration.

‘TRIPS’ is a modern software that the GRA has employed to assist in data entry, processing and analysis of revenue collection.

The Commissioner-General said once there is a faster processing rate of import entries, it means that there would be a faster flow of revenue, more transparency and since business transactions would be expedited it is likely that there would be increased imports.

Mr. Sattaur noted also that the GRA is introducing risk profile management and “TRIPS is designed around risk management which is why the changes are necessary.”

With the effect of such a programme, some of the functions within the Customs and Trade Administration will become unnecessary or will be carried out at a higher level with quality being the emphasis, the Commissioner-General said.

According to him four areas, namely Internal Affairs, Enforcement & Intelligence, Quality Review and the VAT and ET Departments will lend support to the TRIPS.

He emphasized that the introduction of this system at Customs does not mean that the checks and balances that previously existed will no longer be there.

“So the importer who feels that we have relaxed our checks and balances should not be disappointed if at some appropriate time their entries are subject to processes required by these other support areas which have replaced the daily classification and evaluation functions,” he pointed out.

He lauded the support of the Customs Department to the initiative so far, recalling “of paramount importance is the protection of state revenue, data access and processing.”

Mr. Sattaur pointed out that there are several resultant factors including higher prospects for state revenue.

He said there are also likely to be more satisfied importers, who have nothing to fear if they have the true and correct declarations, whose entries will be quickly processed.
Additionally, those persons who are bent on corrupt practices will be detected, not that they will be harassed but the appropriate taxes will be imposed upon them.

The Commissioner General noted that there have been several instances where incorrect classifications and valuations have been made and forged invoices are attached to entries in a deliberate attempt to defraud the revenue and deceive Customs.

“I am happy that this system has been put in place because over the years it has been a bugbear to administer this system which had the suspicion of being plagued with corruption,” Mr. Sattaur disclosed, noting that this suspicion was based on the apparent high level of collusion between customs officers and importers.

Over the years, the GRA has made significant strides in revenue collection and efforts continue to strengthen the system to ensure maximum revenue collection, protection and accountability.