Asycuda switch clogs Swazi borders

MBABANE – Swaziland’s switch to

the new electronic customs clearing

programme, Asycuda World, has

got off to a poor start. Some trucks

arriving at border posts carrying

goods from South Africa on Monday

February 2, the day after the system

went on-line, were reportedly

awaiting clearance on Friday. Drivers

blame a lack of communication prior

to the system’s launch for the delays,

which resulted in dozens of trucks

languishing in parking bays at the

main Swaziland-South Africa border

post at Oshoek.

“The system is working but it

requires data for pre-clearance

of goods. Importers must do

their part. If they do not file the

necessary information on-line then

goods cannot pass into the country,”

said an official with the Swaziland

Revenue Authority (SRA).

Some truck drivers interviewed

in the local media said Swazi

importers who were awaiting

goods, including a supermarket

chain whose cargo of perishables

was being compromised by the

summer sun, did not provide data

to SRA.

Some trucks on the Swaziland

side were unable to proceed into

South Africa due to a lack of

electronic pre-clearance.

SRA says the truck queue will

eventually clear up once shippers

become accustomed to the new system.