The report pointed out that the successful performance and experience of Dubai Customs has benefited other local, regional and international customs agencies, particularly through its efforts in realizing the vision of WCO for the 21st century with regard to the development of ambitious technical systems that facilitate legitimate trade. The international report also stated that Dubai Customs’ e-systems are among the global systems that have achieved international excellence in the field of customs work.

 

The report also praised Dubai Customs' extensive efforts in enhancing the Department's performance and creating opportunities to improve procedures and initiatives undertaken by the Department, focusing on the delivery of quality services to customers and strategic partners, and the development of training programs and plans to reach higher levels of excellence. The report's supervisory committee also considered Dubai Customs a role model for customs departments in the UAE and in other GCC countries, and even at the global level, for the significant progress it has achieved in the field of customs work and related procedures.

 

The report was issued after the evaluation of Phase 3 of the Columbus diagnostic program, which was developed by the World Customs Organization for the purpose of improving and modernizing various operations of customs authorities. Members of the supervisory committee further lauded the Dubai Customs for realizing the Department's vision and strategy to reach world-class status, and for helping other local, regional and international customs authorities through its experience.

 

The committee noted that the Columbus diagnostic mission addressed in its diagnostic processes eight sectors, through which the strengths and opportunities for improvement in all local and regional customs departments are reviewed. The report urged other state-based and regional customs authorities to learn from Dubai Customs’ approach in implementing its executive strategy, particularly in ensuring to constantly update its strategy in line with new developments in customs administration in the local and global level.

With regard to the procedures, Dubai Customs is working on the implementation of the "Development and Modernization" Program, through which customs operations, applications, and fulfillment of international obligations are conducted in a more transparent and comprehensive manner, in line with the Revised Kyoto Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures. This is most evident in the Department's implementation of the "Risk Engine System" in its operations, which is developed to handle all transactions and identify suspected shipments, thus helping identify high-risk transactions and seize prohibited shipments based on available data. This system was utilized by many authorities, and is one of the best internationally adopted standards. The report further noted that other customs departments should benefit from Dubai Customs' experience in this area, particularly in implementing the exemplary global system, while urging other authorities to establish special Risk Engine administrative units.

The report also underlined the improvements made in the human resources department, and the development of comprehensive and pioneering training plans and program, as well as the updating thereof according to work requirements, and in helping staff in the departments and customs centers to gain more experience and knowledge that will make them eligible for higher positions in the department. The report also noted that the training plans can serve as benchmarks for other customs authorities.

 

The Columbus diagnostic report also commended the legal affairs division of Dubai Customs, and its qualified and competent staff who are well versed with all customs-related laws and policies. It also noted the positive improvements of the division, and the strong support it has received from Dubai Customs officials, which has helped Dubai Customs in developing the Unified Gulf Customs Law and the Federal Customs Authority in the state.

 

Dubai Customs is a forerunner when it comes to developing digital technologies, having made excellent improvements to all its e-services, while adopting programs and systems that facilitate and expedite customs procedures and transactions in the Department. These are important milestones that other customs authorities can emulate.

 

The World Customs Organization's report through the Columbus diagnostic program addressed eight sectors that covered the strengths and opportunities for improvement in all customs departments. The report contained an introduction followed by an outline of the eight standards of the report, which are strategic management, resources and human resources management, legal affairs, governance, applied procedures, information technology, and external communication.

 

Columbus diagnostic program is developed by the World Customs Organization for the purpose of improving and modernizing various operations of customs departments, and enabling optimal application of security standards and facilitating international trade. The third phase of the program is designed to monitor developments in bridging gaps, implementing improvement mechanisms and programs developed by the customs department during the second phase, which focused on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the first phase of the Columbus diagnostic program. The first diagnosis of Dubai Customs was made in November 2007 along with other customs departments.​