Jordan's border security is confronting increasingly complex challenges, with rising trade volumes placing greater demands on the country's customs risk management capabilities. Addressing these challenges has become a critical priority for Jordanian customs authorities.
WCO Assessment Mission
At the invitation of Jordan Customs and with funding from Japan's Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF Japan), the World Customs Organization (WCO) recently deployed an expert team to conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of Jordan's customs risk management framework. The week-long mission, conducted from December 4-8, 2016, evaluated Jordan's risk management capacities, organizational structure, and functions while identifying gaps and challenges.
The WCO team held extensive discussions with key Jordanian officials including Major General Wadah Hmoud, Director General of Jordan Customs, and Brigadier General Jihad Sawaked, Assistant Director General for Administrative and Financial Affairs. Meetings also included senior managers from risk management and intelligence departments, along with operational staff from various customs offices.
Field Visits and Stakeholder Engagement
The assessment included field visits to three critical border points: Amman Customs, the Umari border crossing with Saudi Arabia, and Queen Alia International Airport's clearance station. Frontline officers shared their perspectives on risk management operations, while representatives from cross-border regulatory agencies involved in Jordan's Single Window project and private sector stakeholders provided additional insights.
During the concluding debrief session, WCO experts presented their findings to Jordanian customs leadership, focusing on four key areas: risk management policy, strategic planning, intelligence, and compliance. The team offered specific recommendations to strengthen Jordan's customs risk management framework.
Path Forward
The assessment will serve as the foundation for an action plan to be implemented by a designated national project manager. The WCO has committed to ongoing support for Jordan's risk management modernization efforts.
Notably, the mission marked the first field test of the WCO's new Organizational Risk Management Diagnostic Tool, designed to help customs administrations evaluate their risk management capabilities and identify improvement opportunities.
Major General Hmoud emphasized the assessment's importance, stating that enhanced risk management is essential for balancing border security with trade facilitation amid growing international trade complexities. Brigadier General Sawaked acknowledged the value of external perspectives in strengthening interdepartmental collaboration.
Technical Recommendations
The WCO identified several specific areas for improvement:
Risk Identification: While Jordan has established basic mechanisms, the WCO recommended expanding information sources through enhanced cooperation with intelligence agencies, government departments, and private sector partners.
Risk Assessment: The mission suggested improved training for assessment personnel and refinement of risk evaluation models to better reflect Jordan's operational context.
Risk Mitigation: The WCO advised implementing more rigorous evaluation of existing measures while developing innovative, targeted approaches to emerging threats.
The organization also stressed the importance of cultivating a robust risk management culture across all levels of Jordan's customs administration. Additional technical assistance and training programs will be provided to support implementation.
WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya reaffirmed the organization's commitment to supporting member administrations in strengthening risk management capabilities, recognizing it as a core element of modern customs operations. The Jordan assessment serves as a potential model for other developing nations facing similar challenges.