Assessment criteria of Polish customs services effectiveness in customs clearance of foreign trade goods

• Main Author: Katarzyna Szmyd
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Gdansk 2013-09-01
• Series: Contemporary Economy
• Subjects: Effectiveness; Customs administration; Customs service; Fiscal function; Protective function; Control function
• Online Access: http://www.wspolczesnagospodarka.pl/?p=634

In recent years Polish customs administration has undergone substantial changes not only in its structure but also in terms of tasks execution. Upon Poland’s accession to the European Union the western border was transformed into the internal border whereas the eastern border into the external border of the European Union, which led to a range of changes in the Customs Service. Those transformations made it necessary to lift customs control at border crossings from the western side. While becoming external border of the European Union Poland was obliged to adjust customs procedures to the Union standards. The abovementioned changes necessitated the need for organizational and structural transformation within the Customs Service. While performing statutory tasks the Customs Service provides safety and security for its citizens, makes it easier for reliable entrepreneurs to run their business activity as well as cares for the country’s finances. The effectiveness of the Customs Services depends to a large extent on functional infrastructure, state-of-the-art control devices, reliable communication system and innovative information solutions. It should improve the quality of the services provided, which would facilitate commodity circulation and make it possible to provide the merchandise straight to the entrepreneur, who deals with customs formalities on his or her own. Implementing new solutions – improvements by the Customs Service will provide substantial acceptance of its activities by citizens as well as entrepreneurs through providing more valuable services for the community, creating new possibilities in terms of business servic-ing by tapping into the already existing resources (effectiveness – better resource orientation, economy – better resource employment).