Celebrated delayed, the 2023 edition of International Customs Day was the occasion for the disciples of Saint Matthew to share festive moments in the afternoon of Friday, March 10, 2023. The theme chosen this year is : « Feeding the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge sharing and professional pride in customs ». This theme is part of the approach of placing human capital, especially the new generation, at the heart of the reforms implemented to modernise customs administrations. At this ceremony enhanced by the presence of the second personality of the State, the President of the National Assembly Louis VLAVONOU in his capacity as instructor at the National Customs School, the performance of Beninese customs in the year 2022 was declined. The Director General of Customs, Alain HINKATI, very happy with the performance of his employees, praised their determination and self-denial to work. In a solemn speech, Alain HINKATI recalled the various reforms initiated by President Patrice Talon's government over the past six years in the customs administration in order to make it more effective. The measures initiated take into account the ever-increasing challenges of international trade and are designed to strengthen anti-fraud mechanisms and promote trade facilitation. They also focus on improving governance, reorganizing technical and other services and mainly digitizing customs clearance procedures, with the support of the partners Benin Control and Webb Fontaine, said the Director General of Customs. The ultimate goal of the actions undertaken is to make Benin a gateway to West Africa in a secure, secure and fully digitized environment that guarantees an ecosy

In addition, Benin Customs has recorded many other achievements in mobilizing revenue for the benefit of state funds. Indeed, the effective implementation of the reforms enabled the Benin Customs Administration to mobilise for the year 2022 a sum of ECU 548 billion for an annual upward review forecast ECU 539 billion ; or a rate of achievement 102%. By comparing this result with that of the year 2021, which amounts to 440 billion CFA francs, there was an increase in 108 billion CFA francs, corresponding to an increase 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, the patron of the disciples of St Matthew was pleased. Indeed, there has been a renunciation of the collection of customs duties and taxes on certain consumer products in this case hydrocarbons, explained Alain HINKATI. It can therefore no doubt be inferred that when account is taken of the amount of revenue lost as a result of those measures, which is CFAF 102 billion, the level of customs revenue for the year 2022 would be CFAF 649 billion, i.e. a rate of achievement of 120.51% and an increase of more than 200 billion compared to 2021!

It is therefore a real success which the customs administration experienced in the year 2022.

The Director General of Customs also discussed the other missions of the Benin Customs, namely the protection of the national economy and the security of the supply chain. At these different levels, remarkable action has been taken, but important challenges remain, in particular to make the fight against the fraudulent exit of agricultural products effective. In respect of seizures of prohibited goods on behalf of 2022, among other things:

• Nearly 30,000 kg of pharmaceutical products;
• 4,500 kg of Indian hemp;
• 59,000 Kgs of agricultural contraband inputs.

This success led the Director General of Customs to issue letters of felicitation and certificates of merit to customs officers. In the same register, Customs officers who are required to exercise their right to retire received certificates of merit.

It should be noted that the WCO through its SG has issued certificates of merit to certain customs officers. This is the case of the President of the National Assembly, Louis VLAVONOU . It should also be noted that three companies had OAS certificates. This is the result of the implementation since May 2019, of the National Programme of Approved Economic Operators (OAS).

The last category that was also entitled to certificates of merit includes all the personalities who contributed to the success of the last competitive examination for the recruitment of 150 officials to the Benin Customs. A real success for the Benin Customs management team that has taken on a great challenge. The Director General of Customs is pleased. The successful recipients thanked the Director General of Customs for his vision and rigor in implementing the reforms for the benefit of the customs administration.

Discover the photo album of the ceremony