Major Review Underway at Customs to Strengthen Risk Management and Enforcement

CABINET NOTES: Prime Minister and Minister for Finance informed the Cabinet of the commencement of a Risk Management Capacity Building Mission being conducted by the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC) within the Customs and Excise Division from November 10 to 21, 2025.

The mission, which forms part of CARTAC’s regional programme of technical assistance, aims to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Customs and Excise Division in the area of risk management, with a focus on improving compliance, enforcement, and trade facilitation.

The CARTAC team will undertake a comprehensive Risk Management Diagnostic to assess:

            •           The Division’s organisational structure and enforcement capacity;

            •           The legal framework governing customs operations;

            •           Standard Operating Procedures and workflow processes;

            •           Utilisation of the ASYCUDA World Risk Engine;

            •           The design and management of the Division’s risk profile portfolio; and

            •           The practical application of risk management processes at key operational sites, including the Deepwater Harbour and V.C. Bird International Airport.

The mission will also review the Customs Division’s intelligence and investigation capacity and its engagement mechanisms with traders, brokers, and shippers.

As part of the initiative, CARTAC will deliver a three-day interactive training programme for enforcement officers and managers of the Customs Division. The training is based on IMF and World Customs Organization (WCO) methodologies and will cover:

•           The strategic application of Compliance Risk Management (CRM) to enhance enforcement and facilitate legitimate trade;

            •           The role of CRM in improving governance, transparency, and accountability;

            •           The application of the ISO 31000 risk management framework in customs operations; and

            •           The use of compliance risk scoring to guide enforcement and facilitation priorities.

Upon completion of the mission, CARTAC will present its findings, recommendations, and a draft implementation logframe to the Comptroller of Customs, the Ministry of Finance, and ultimately the Cabinet for review and approval.

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda expresses its appreciation to CARTAC for its continued partnership and technical support in advancing institutional reform and capacity building within the public sector.

CARTAC will also be engaged to carry out similar missions in other sectors of Government to include the Immigration Department and the Treasury Department.

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