Customs Control of the Cargo

Cargo shipments entering the country are to be supplied with the necessary documents. The cargo documents: Declaration on Goods, Bill of Parcels, Bill of Lading, Invoice, Insurance Policy – are checked before unloading the vehicle.

Cargo shipments are to be inspected for duty collection and anti-smuggling purposes. Various inspectional techniques and devices can help release goods quicker, with less damage and also result in increased seizures of prohibited items.

The cargo is examined at the Customs control zone. A Customs officer should be careful in order to minimize damage. If it’s necessary to damage an article, its value should be established before the examination. If the cargo is found in bad or damaged condition or deficient in quantity, the cargo is put apart for examination in the presence of the owner or the carrier of the goods.

Perishable goods

When shipping perishable goods, particular attention should be paid to shipping methods. When goods are moving and they are on dry ice or ice packs, there is a limited amount of time they can be in transit. It is recommended that goods that are perishable be shipped early in the week – preferably Sunday, if available, or on Monday. This allows for all processes to be completed for the import of these types of products and still be able to complete a delivery before the weekend.

Dangerous goods

Transportation of dangerous (hazardous) goods must be regulated in order to prevent, as far as possible, accidents to persons or property and damage to the environment, the means of transport employed or to other goods. However, with different regulations in every country and for different modes of transport, international trade in chemicals and dangerous products would be seriously impeded, if not made impossible and unsafe. Moreover, dangerous goods are also subject to other kinds of regulations, e.g. safety regulations, consumer protection regulations, storage regulations, environment protection regulations.

Exhibition goods

Exhibition goods are relieved from duty because they are imported temporarily only for demonstration at an event. Exhibition goods (or: entertainment goods – official goods, souvenirs and refreshments) are released duty free. A Letter of Obligation issued by the sponsor of the event must support exhibition goods. The documents supporting exhibition goods must state that exhibition goods are coming into the country for exhibition purposes only.

Exercise 6. Fill in the gaps.

1. The cargo documents: __________ are checked before unloading the vehicle.

2. Cargo shipments are to be inspected for ____________.

3. The cargo is examined at __________.

4. When shipping perishable goods, particular attention should be paid to ____________.

5. Transportation of dangerous goods must be regulated in order to ____________.

6. Exhibition goods are relieved from duty because _____________.

Exercise 7. Translate the following into Russian:

Traditionally, goods being imported or exported have been cleared at the port of departure or arrival. As enforcement officers of the borders and all points of entry for cargo, Customs officials are responsible for examining documents and cargo. This initial examination is the simplest way to identify shipments and to distinguish between legal and illegal shipments.

Exercise 8. Comprehension questions.

1. Where are goods being imported or exported usually cleared?

2. Why do Customs officials examine cargo shipments?

Exercise 9. Study the following verbs and words related to Text 2. Give your own examples with these phrases.

1) to identify and target containers – выявить (выбрать) потенциально опасные контейнеры;

2) to pose a risk – представлять опасность;

3) to work in concert – работать согласованно;

4) to share critical data – поделиться важными данными (информацией);

5) to ascertain vulnerable links – выяснить уязвимые связи / места;

6) to prevent lapses – предотвратить отклонение от принципов / правил поведения.

Exercise 10. Match left and right.

1) Container Security Initiative (CSI)	a) система управления рисками;
2) breaches in integrity	b) контейнеры, перевозимые морским путем;
3) high-risk containers	c) оперативная автоматизированная информация;
4) risk management system	d) тщательная оценка (анализ) порта;
5) detection technology	e) основные (ключевые) элементы;
6) maritime containers	f) Программа безопасности контейнерных перевозок;
7) pre-screening	g) нарушения кодекса чести, неподкупности сотрудников;
8) collaborative targeting	h) технические средства обнаружения (контрабанды, запрещенных предметов);
9) core elements	i) контейнеры высокой степени риска;
10)thorough port assessment	j) предварительная проверка;
11)intelligence and automated information	k) совместная цель, стратегия.

 

Exercise 11. Read Text 2 to speak on resolving security concerns by the USA.

Text 2