Controls

Controls are generally considered needed to enforce the law, collect correct revenue and verify compliance with rules and regulations as well as keeping a country and its inhabitants safe from threats. Controls have been an integrated part of border crossing since the beginning of time.

Today, Border agencies are expected to maintain a balance between facilitation of legitimate trade and at the same time ensure safety and security of its citizens and of its territory. Therefore, many countries needs to enhance and modernize their available technology and applied working methods.

A multi-layered control approach where the different layers are mutually complementing and sometimes even slightly overlapping each other is recommended. The different layers can then reinforce the whole structure and the inspections can easily be tailored to fit their purpose.

Physical inspections should always be based on risk analysis and be performed in a way, at a time and at a place that make the most of the often limited resources available. Non-intrusive inspection methods will facilitate the process while maintaining the integrity of the consignment inspected. Controls can be performed not only at the border. By the use of mobile and flexible control teams, a number of physical inspections could be referred to the final destination which would eliminate cumbersome and time consuming offloading at the border.

Multiple technologies and new control processes require flexible and skilled officers therefore training is a key factor for success. Revised control processes and new technology will require a change in mindset within the whole organization which needs to be addressed at an early stage. Technology is heavily dependent on humans and the human factor needs to be in focus.

Multi-layered inspection methods can be used flexibly depending on the individual control objective and involve one or more of the following control techniques: