Dubai Customs has been a crucial pivot during Covid-19 pandemic and ensured a continuous supply chain locally as well as globally. Customs operations of inspections and clearance at air, sea, and land entry-points were operational round the clock to allow smooth cross-border trade and guarantee that on-time delivery of medical supplies and goods is done. Dubai Customs attributed this achievement to their advanced technology infrastructure that has been built over years by the department. “Customs transactions are being processed electronically through Mirsal 2, a state-of-the-art clearance system that has helped provide more efficiency in Customs work, including automatic 2-minute approval and clearance of about 97 percent of no-risk consignment transactions without any human intervention”, said Dubai Customs officials.

Customs officials noted that customs inspections of goods was continued with no hurdles or disruption, even during the lockdown. This was contributory in securing the economy and controlling illegitimate trade and smuggling of any prohibited and hazardous items.

The Dubai Customs’ Customs Inspection Division has adopted an integrated strategic plan to keep the pandemic in control. This plan is carried out in collaboration with other government departments by sharing of updates and information about COVID-19 through an operations room 24x7. All Dubai Customs inspection officers follow all health and safety instructions with complete commitment. They are also provided with advanced protective gear and equipment as they work at the frontlines.

Regular health examinations for all inspectors and a Safe Inspection Passage are followed. The passage is equipped with thermal scanner that reads temperature aloud, a water source operated by foot instead of hand, and full sterilization along with safety gear – which includes gloves, masks and full body protective uniforms. Airports, Jebel Ali and Hamriya ports were also fitted with thermal cameras. Moreover, the trucks coming through Hatta Border Crossing are completely disinfected.

Precautionary measures include awareness and warning stickers displayed at the airports. These target clients and passengers and also display re-seating plans to help ensure safety in the waiting lounges and areas. Customs transactions which are processed by Dubai Customs have witnessed a hike of 36% in the first five months of 2020. This has reached 5.9 million as compared to 4.4 million transactions in the same period in 2019. Dubai Customs also accomplished 5.88 million transactions, thereby reaching 99.2% via smart and online channels. Only 0.8% of this was performed at service counters. Furthermore, customs declarations witnessed a rise of 42% in the first five months of 2020 and has reached 5 million declarations, as compared to 3.5 million declarations in the same time period in 2019. Exceptional business registrations growth was witnessed in Dubai with 107,000 applications. This has grown 95% from 55,000 in the first five months in 2019.

Director-General of Dubai Customs, Ahmed Mahboob Musabih has honored 146 employees who have been instrumental in offering exemplary suggestions to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing through Microsoft Teams, Musabih said, “We are facing the Covid-19 pandemic with all determination and awareness, and we are confident we will get through this safe and sound, to continue our journey of facilitating global trade and protecting society from all security and health hazards.”

He added, “Innovative ideas and suggestions developed by our employees are a catalyst to boost our overall performance during this difficult time and beyond.”

WAM