The Directorate-General for Customs is performing well in 2022. The Benin Customs has mobilised a sum of 548 billion for an annual forecast revised upwards 539 billion cfa francs; or a rate of achievement of 102%. By comparing this result with that of the year 2021, which amounts to 440 billion of CFA francs, an increase of 108 billion CFA francs, corresponding to a embellishment of 24,35%, Despite the social measures taken by the Government of Benin to respond effectively to the consequences of the economic crisis arising from the war in Ukraine. There has been a renunciation of the levying of customs duties and taxes on certain consumer products, in this case hydrocarbons.

Where account is taken of the amount of revenue lost by those measures, which is CFAF 102 billion, the level of customs revenue for the year 2022 would be 649 billions of CFA francs, i.e. a 120,51% and an increase of more than 200 billion Compared to 2021! While the disciples of St Matthew are to be commended for achieving these results which force admiration, it seems useful to point out that several reforms have been implemented to facilitate such results. On the occasion of International Customs Day, edition 2023, the Director General of Customs, Alain HINKATIlisted the 10 reforms initiated to improve service quality and achieve results. Here we propose you to discover the said reforms.

01) The implementation since May 2019, of the National Program of Registered Economic Operators (OAS).

 (02) The online launch of Sydonia Wolrd, which now allows authorized customs agents to have unimpeded access to the customs clearance tool wherever they are located;

(03) The requirement of the customs clearance order of the goods to be signed by the importers together with the supporting documents to strengthen the fight against the production of false documents and the misuse of IFU numbers in customs clearance operations;

(04) The start-up of digitalisation of the management of exemption applications, which provides an increase in productivity and is intended to facilitate the life of customs users and to strengthen controls with a view to compliance with the regulations;

(05) The development of a new draft decree defining the conditions for the accreditation of authorised customs officers (CAD) with a view to further promoting professionalism, ethics and better performance for customs operations;

(06) The continuation of the interconnection of Benin Customs computer systems with those of neighbouring countries, notably Togo, with SYGMAT and those already carried out with Niger and Nigeria;

(07) Modernisation of connectivity and access infrastructures for all Customs Administration units;

(08) Strengthening collaboration with the Directorate-General for Taxation through the establishment of a data exchange mechanism and the creation of the Mixed Tax-Customs Research Unit (CERMID), which aims at rationalizing controls for greater efficiency;

(09) Strengthening maritime surveillance and land border control with the start of the project to install surveillance video equipment at the customs revenue level in Kraké-Plage and Hillacondji;

(10) The maintenance of the Certification to international standards ISO 9001, Version 2015 by the AB Certification Certifier, following the renewal audit of the Quality Management System of the Benin Customs Administration.

It should be pointed out that the ultimate aim of the actions undertaken is to make Benin, a gateway to West Africa, in a safe, secure and fully digitized environment that guarantees an efficient ecosystem.