Figure 6: Consent-risk balances to border control

High

4.6.3 One size does not fit all

There is substantial current analysis about Customs administrations in the 21st century and what shape they should form. This discussion has mostly been led by international financial institutions and high-income countries that have Customs administrations which have already proceeded quite far down the path to a modern, integrated border management system. There is a problem in applying these experiences to the rest of the world however, because the contexts are so different, and the risks much greater in countries reliant on Customs revenue.

Customs administrations around the world have a remarkable variety of organisational structures, and also different alignments with government agencies. Some are aligned with security agencies, most with revenue agencies, and a few are stand-alone. There are currently 14 Customs Unions of varying sizes, and another seven are in the pipeline. By setting a common external trade policy and external tariff, a customs union is seen as the third stage of economic integration80, and represents a major step forward in standardisation and simplification of customs procedures. There are also many less structured or formal regional and international mechanisms that facilitate increased cooperation and coordination.

The EU is the most integrated economy today. Its successful co-existence with the sovereignty of its member states highlights the possibilities for new forms of organised authority - Customs

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