Customs Administration: An important step towards establishing a modern, efficient and reliable customs service

The project "Establishment of the Control Center of the Customs Administration of Montenegro" is one of the most significant development initiatives of the institution and an important step towards establishing a modern, efficient and reliable customs service, aligned with European standards and best international practices, said the Acting Director of the Administration, Maja Vučinić.

The Customs Administration announced that they had introduced international partners - representatives of the embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Montenegro - to the goals and planned activities of the project, which represents one of the institution's most significant development initiatives in the process of modernization and digital transformation of the customs service.

"During the meeting, the importance of the project for the further modernization and digital transformation of the customs service was presented, as well as its contribution to strengthening border security, improving risk management, more efficient control of goods and passengers, and the fight against all forms of cross-border crime and smuggling," the statement said.

It was emphasized at the meeting that the project is being implemented with the support of the EU through a direct grant for the establishment of the Control Center, which confirms the Union's continued support for the reform processes and strengthening of the institutional capacities of Montenegro.

"The control center will be a central point for coordination, monitoring and analysis of data in real time. The integration of video surveillance systems, scanners, scales, systems for automatic reading of license plates and container numbers, as well as connections to relevant information databases, will enable faster data exchange, better risk assessment and more efficient use of available control capacities," the statement said.

As announced, in the first phase of the project, it is planned to connect the Control Center with key customs locations and border crossings, including the Customs Office Free Zone Port of Bar, the Customs Office Terminal Podgorica, as well as the border crossings Božaj, Debeli Brijeg, Dobrakovo, Dračenovac and Vraćenovići.

"The project to establish the Control Center is part of a broader process of modernization of the Customs Administration. In the last two years, through the intensive introduction of advanced IT solutions, the Customs Administration has been undergoing the most comprehensive modernization process in its history, placing it directly alongside the most modern European customs administrations," the statement says.

The Customs Administration said that, thanks to the aforementioned reforms, continuous investments in information systems and strong support from European partners, Montenegro today has a customs administration capable of responding to the demands of the single European market, which will be confirmed by the imminent temporary closure of Chapter 29 - Customs Union.