Increasingly the employment of technology is becoming a key tool for Customs Agencies worldwide as a means of achieving the critical balance between maintaining revenue protection and national security on the one hand and the need to facilitate the efficiency of a nation's international trading aspirations on the other.
In line with key international agreements concerning modernisation of Customs Controls such as the Revised Kyoto Convention and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards, many agencies are now procuring and employing cargo and baggage scanners which utilise both X-Ray and Gamma Ray sources to augment the control of passengers' baggage and cargoes.
Referred to under the generic name of 'Non Intrusive Inspection (NII)' such equipment, if utilised correctly, can offer an efficient means of detecting high risk cargoes at the point of import or export without the need to undertake what are often lengthy and costly resource intensive physical inspections.
Crown Agents recognises the integral nature of scanner technology as part of a modern and efficient Customs in the 21st Century. We offer both practical technical and operational advice in support of scanner operations at ports, airports and land border crossings.
Crown Agents' range of expertise covers the ability to conduct in-depth needs analyses and feasibility studies as well as equipment procurement and locational advice. Through our team of highly trained and dedicated consultants we deliver a proven programme of both classroom based and field training aimed at developing the skills of those tasked with managing and operating the scanner resource in key areas such as the efficient interpretation of scanned images and the risk management to identify high risk cargoes to be scanned.