Unit 9. Electronic declaring

Warm up

Exercise 1. You know the Internet makes many processes easier and more available. Could you suppose any advantages (and probably disadvantages) of using the Internet in the customs sphere? Do you know any other electronic communications channels? Are there any differences among them?

Exercise 2. Match the English words on the left with their Russian equivalents on the right. Learn the words by heart.

1. electronic declaring	a) представить на рассмотрение в таможенный орган;
2. foreign economic activity	b) заполнять особую электронную форму;
3. to submit to the customs	c) принимать в расчет, во внимание;
4. to complete a special electronic form	d) лично, при личном участии;
5. an informal form	e) участник международной торговли;
6. personally present	f) внешнеэкономическая деятельность;
7. the most convenient method	g) в ходе проверки;
8. in the course of verification	h) не удовлетворяющий формальным требованиям ;
9. a foreign trade participant	i) электронное декларирование;
10. to take into account	j) самый удобный способ.

READING

Exercise 3. Read and translate the following text. Use the dictionary when necessary.

Electronic Customs Declaring in Russia: Peculiarities and Trends

The electronic declaring of goods, i.e. the declaring of goods at the customs by submitting a customs declaration in electronic form via the electronic communications channels, is now commonly practiced worldwide.

In Russia, the first electronic customs declaration was submitted in 2002, but it was only in 2004 that the electronic customs declaring began to be gradually implemented and used for certain areas of foreign economic activity.

In 2008, the electronic form of declaration was stimulated further when the FCS developed the means for electronically declaring goods through the Internet. Hence, there are now two ways of electronically declaring goods, i.e., traditionally, when certain communication channels are used, and via the Internet (Internet declaring).

Those two types of electronic declaring differ in, say, that in the event of the Internet declaring, the declarer submits to the customs the documents attached to the electronic declaration, completing the special electronic XML forms drawn up by the FCS for most of those documents (invoice, bill of lading, etc.), while in the event of an ordinary electronic declaring, the documents attached to the electronic declaration are sent in scanned, informal form. The Internet declaration can be submitted no matter how far the declarer is from the customs authority, while they are at an arm’s length from one another when an ordinary electronic declaration is submitted.

The Internet declaring is advantageous because, among other things, the declarer need not be personally present in some cases at the customs. Clearance is quick (it may take only about 15 minutes from the time when the declarer sends an electronic declaration to the time when the customs authorities release the goods). After sending an electronic declaration, the declarer receives electronic communications at all the stages of passage of the declaration: its receipt by the customs authority, acceptance (with data on the inspector who accepted it), registration (with its number), release, etc.

Currently, the Internet declaring still cannot be regarded as the simplest and most convenient method of declaring in all respects. Sometimes, paper documents must be presented to the customs (e.g., in the course of verification of an electronic declaration, risks are discovered within the risk management system used by the customs service).

Currently, the electronic customs declaring of goods is increasingly used by Russian foreign trade participants. The current strategy of development of the customs system, being implemented by the FCS according to the instructions of the country’s top leadership, plays an important part in promoting the electronic declaring of goods. For instance, in compliance with the Russian President’s instructions, the FCS technically prepared all the customs checkpoints by the end of 2010 for accepting the ED2 declarations.

As for the introduction of a compulsory electronic declaring, the Federal Law “Concerning Customs Regulation in the Russian Federation” enshrines the general rule whereby a goods declaration is to be submitted in electronic form. In the meantime, there is a transition period until 1 January 2014 when the declarer has the choice to submit a customs declaration in either written or electronic form. Therefore, foreign trade participants will probably have to declare goods only in electronic form starting from 1 January 2014.

That circumstance should be taken into account when foreign trade is being planned for a long term. The transition to the electronic form of declaration (possibly to the ED2 form) should be considered already now, because the obligation to use that form may be introduced earlier than expected.

The transition to the electronic form of declaring will require time and money. For instance, it may be necessary to acquire special certified software and hardware, have an electronic digital signature, enter into a special agreement with the FCS, etc. Many specialists believe, however, that the above advantages will eventually cover the expenses incurred.

Exercise 4. Consult the text and find the English equivalents to the words combinations.

1. посредством электронных каналов связи; 2. в случае декларирования через интернет; 3. понесенные расходы; 4. обычное электронное декларирование; 5. на расстоянии вытянутой руки; 6. этапы прохождения; 7. переходный период; 8. сертифицированное программное обеспечение и аппаратное оборудование; 9. электронно-цифровая подпись; 10. быть запланированным на долгий срок.

Exercise 5. Decide whether the following statements are true or false. Correct the false ones.

1. The electronic declaring was being used only during the XX^th century. 2. In Russia, the first electronic customs declaration was submitted in 2004. 3. “To lodge a customs electronic declaration” means “to send declaration via Internet”. 4. The electronic declaring makes many customs processes quicker. 5. If the declarer sends his/her document via Internet, he/she need be personally present at any stages of passage.

Exercise 6. Answer the following questions.

1. When will foreign trade participants declare goods only in electronic form? 2. What kinds of electronically declaring goods do you know? 3. What is required for the transition to the electronic form of declaring? 4. What component may be included in an acceptance? 5. What for was the electronic customs declaring used at the very beginning? 6. What does the Federal Law “Concerning Customs Regulation in the Russian Federation” consider? 7. Is it important how far the declarer is from the customs authority if he/she sends declaration via the Internet? 8. Who is the electronic customs declaring of goods more often used by? 9. Why is the Internet declaring advantageous? 10. What electronic form must a declarer complete?

Exercise 7. Give a short summary of the text.

Exercise 8. Now read and translate the text about Electronic customs. Use the dictionary when necessary.