RELEASE
Monrovia, Liberia – In a bid to modernize trade and customs operations throughout the nation, the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) is speeding up its efforts by digitizing border and port operations. Through its Customs Department, the LRA has successfully implemented an Online Duty-Free Application and the ASYCUDA World system at six important Customs Business Offices (CBOs) in both urban and rural areas.
Buchanan Port, Yekepa, Ganta, Roberts International Airport (RIA), Bo Waterside, and most recently, Loguatuo, are all fully digital CBOs. This is a significant advancement for rural Liberia and the beginning of one of the most extensive digital customs revolutions the nation has witnessed in recent memory. This daring action demonstrates the LRA’s dedication to effective, open, and technologically advanced border services.
The outdated paper-based procedures are replaced with the robust computerized platform known as ASYCUDA World, an Automated System for Customs procedures. It improves data quality and trade efficiency while expediting customs declarations, streamlining transit operations, honing accounting and reporting, and eventually cutting down on clearance delays.
With Loguatuo being the most recent to go online, the gradual deployment started at RIA, Bo Waterside, Buchanan, Yekepa, and Ganta. In the days ahead, Harper (Maryland County) and Toe Town (Grand Gedeh County) will see further deployments.
The outdated paper-based procedures are replaced with the robust computerized platform known as ASYCUDA World, an Automated System for Customs procedures. It improves data quality and trade efficiency while expediting customs declarations, streamlining transit operations, honing accounting and reporting, and eventually cutting down on clearance delays.
With Loguatuo being the most recent to go online, the gradual deployment started at RIA, Bo Waterside, Buchanan, Yekepa, and Ganta. In the days ahead, Harper (Maryland County) and Toe Town (Grand Gedeh County) will see further deployments. The LRA has deployed the required IT equipment at all deployment sites, held awareness seminars for border security actors, and educated customs officers and brokers on the new system to facilitate this transfer.
The creation and implementation of a brand-new Online Duty-Free Application Platform by the LRA’s own tech team is yet another significant milestone. This innovation minimizes human mistakes and eliminates paperwork by enabling eligible individuals and organizations to online submit duty-free requests.
The ASYCUDA Functional Team Supervisor, Bazzie Akoi, praised the rollout as revolutionary. “This historic accomplishment will greatly enhance the customs procedures at our interconnected rural ports. The LRA’s dedication to creating a modern, responsible, and transparent customs administration in favor of national growth is demonstrated by the launch of these digital platforms,” he stated.
Decentralizing services is crucial, according to Cecilia Dixon-McGill, Manager for Rural Customs Ports: “This transition to complete automation is both strategic and opportune. It promotes the decentralization of customs services throughout Liberia, increases revenue mobilization, and facilitates commerce.” She also thanked all of the stakeholders and partners that helped make this transition possible.
William Gegeh, Manager for Customs Reform and Modernization, was unreserved in his remarks: “We are establishing the supportive atmosphere and offering the required assistance to improve the automated process. Excuses will not be tolerated in the future. Once the technology is in place, customs officials must make full use of it.“
This entire implementation is a component of the LRA’s larger modernization initiative, which aims to improve border security, raise domestic income via the use of smarter, quicker, and more dependable digital technologies, and align Liberia’s customs operations with international best practices.
