Tunisia: Modernisation of the customs system for 2025

The New Tunisian Customs Information System, also known as SINDA 2 is a large-scale project whose aim is to modernize and significantly transform customs processes in Tunisia. By means of a new computer system incorporating the use of new technologies, the efficiency of customs services should be improved and economic operators' expectations of simplicity, speed and transparency met. This project is part of the GovTech programme, Digital Transformation Programme for Public Services supervised by the Tunisian Ministry of Communication Technologies.

Thanks to this new system, Tunisian customs will be able to achieve the main objectives which it has set itself:

• Implementation of WTO standards on advance ruling on tariff, value, origin and cross-border cooperation,
• The implementation of the WCO standards framework on the partnership between the administration and the approved economic operator,
• Reengineering and simplification of procedures,
• The complete dematerialization of the customs clearance process,
• Reduction of costs and delays in customs processing in order to improve transaction efficiency and optimize resources,
• Increased transparency and confidence in customs operations, which should reduce the risk of fraud and non-compliant practices, through more accessible dissemination of information and rigorous monitoring of customs activities.
• Optimizing controls by implementing risk management policies to enhance the effectiveness of customs controls, promoting more effective detection and prevention of fraudulent practices.

This large-scale project, which will be implemented over the year 2025, will see the old system and the new coexist a few months, while the major stages of deployment are reached. The Tunisian customs authorities have indicated three main phases of action:

• First, it will focus on the management of imported vehicles by individuals, simple export declarations, value management, and authorisations related to these processes.
• In a second stage, suspensive customs procedures, the management of tariffs and the origin of goods will be introduced.
• The finalisation stage will focus on the management of transit, putting into consumption, litigation and recovery modules.