Tunisian Customs Launches National Digitization Project
The Tunisian Customs has announced the launch of a national project to fully digitize customs procedures, which is currently underway and aims to modernize the entire administrative process, from the submission of applications to the issuance of permits, using the most advanced technologies to international standards.
Speaking at the national conference "Focus END 2025", held in Foundek Djedid (Nabeul Governorate) under the patronage of the Minister of Finance, Mohamed Hedi Safer, Director General of Customs at the Ministry of Finance, specified that the first applications of the project will soon be operational, while others will be deployed gradually after the necessary tests, with a complete finalization planned for next year.
Conference Highlights
The event, themed "An Accessible and Secure Customs Service", brought together nearly 150 experts and executives, including directors general of the Ministry of Finance, senior customs officials, representatives of public establishments, certified OEA (Authorized Economic Operator) companies, and civil society actors.
Organized by the National Customs School (END) in collaboration with the General Directorate of Customs, the Directorate of Customs Regimes (DRD), and the Bureau of Authorized Economic Operators (BOEA), this conference highlighted the major challenges of customs action, particularly the security and facilitation of the supply chain, while offering economic operators a space for exchange on their needs and concerns.
Digitalization Process
Mohamed Hedi Safer emphasized that the digitalization process within the Customs is not new, recalling that this administration is among the first Tunisian public institutions to have adopted an advanced information system. He added that the Customs is now working to integrate artificial intelligence into risk management, in order to accelerate customs clearance operations and improve the quality of control, while optimizing human and material resources.
Key Customs Procedures
The discussions also focused on three key customs procedures: the Embarkation Visa (VE), the Binding Tariff Information (RTC), and the Authorized Economic Operator (OEA) status, which has been in place since 1999 and currently benefits 202 companies. The Customs aims to extend this system to new areas in order to strengthen the competitiveness of Tunisian companies and facilitate their interactions with customs services.
Role of the National Customs School
The National Customs School, the sole national provider of training and expertise in customs matters, plays a central role in this dynamic. It provides initial and ongoing training for customs agents throughout the country and also offers customized training for administrations, public establishments, and private companies, contributing to the continuous improvement of the customs public service.
