MEDIA RELEASE

17 June 2013
New border system delayed

Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries have delayed launching the first stage of their new electronic border system until 1 August so that testing can be completed. There will be no impact on trade, as the existing systems are being kept fully operational.

The new border system is known as the Joint Border Management System, or JBMS. The first part, being released on 1 August, is the Trade Single Window.

Customs Deputy Comptroller Robert Lake said the delay is because testing has taken longer than expected. “This is not unusual for a project of this size. We would rather take one more month to launch a robust product into the market. Industry partners have been piloting the system with us, and we believe they understand and support this cautious approach.”

Government will recover part of the operating costs from industry. “However, industry won’t pay until JBMS is available.” said Mr Lake.

JBMS will ultimately let exporters and importers send all shipment details electronically to one place, rather than to several government agencies, so that goods can clear the border more safely and swiftly.

“Industry can choose to transfer over to the new system from August, or they can continue use the existing border systems until 2015.”

Robert Lake says that the system is being delivered in a phased programme of releases so that each part can be thoroughly tested first. “We will add more services at intervals.”

-ends-

© Scoop Media