Santo Domingo.- Customs director Rafael Camilo Sunday announced the entity’s Integral Management System (Siga), which eliminates paper in the import process.

He said Siga is a system as modern as any in the private sector. “It’s a computerization project which will mean, for example, that Customs will not use something as simple as paper. The importer won’t have to go to a Customs Office to file a paper. Until recently 12 documents were used, now there are only 6.”

Camilo, interviewed by Cristhian Jiménez on Channel 9, said the new system -already being applied in the port at Haina and soon nationwide- is called “Customs Without Papers,” which in his view represents progress.

“From their office the importer will give follow up to their incoming merchandise; then they’ll “pay so much” and from there send to retrieve their container at port. It’s an extraordinary advance. It’s the Computerized Unified Window.”

The official said the new system will also eliminate the discretion when placing values to pay for imported merchandise. “The merchandise have a value for Customs and it will state the tariff payment; if another value is placed on it, the system rejects it.”

Camilo added that just as large importers can use the Siga, so can people who occasionally bring merchandise for private use, such as motor vehicles.