Robert Marek
Gdynia Maritime University, Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Quality Science,
Department of Logistics and Transport Systems
E-mail: r.marek@wpit.am.gdynia.pl

Abstract

Seaports are natural bottlenecks in the transport chain, yet they are logical places
to carry out customs and other services controls. Port Community Systems have
played a major role in facilitating the more efficient movement of goods while
allowing Customs and other government departments to maintain effective controls.
This article concentrates on qualification and assessment of the role and place of
Customs Office in the PCS organization. In so doing, the role that such Customs can
play in terms of implementing the “Ports 24h” programme. The article presents some
of the problems in creating the Polish port community system which has to integrate
three Polish seaports: Gdańsk, Gdynia and Szczecin-Świonujście. Unfortunately,
there is currently no port community system operating in Polish seaports. There are,
however, certain single windows created by the Polish Customs Service, Maritime
Administration and Main Container Terminal Operators, and they can be used to
develop the PCS. There is a major problem concerning how to use those windows to
create the PCS. Moreover, the Polish Customs Service has developed system called
the ”Ports 24h” programme. The article analyses the role and place the Polish Customs
in creating integrated port community systems.
Interviews conducted with prominent representatives of ports’ stakeholders has
made it possible to evaluate the role of Customs Service and indicate the benefits of
adopting the system than just improving speed. Such advantages include more
efficient control and supervision (risk analysis), costs reduction and increased
competitiveness. All of these initiatives have jointly incentivised some of the former
importers to return to Polish seaports; however, the situation is believed to change in
the near future.

Key words: port community system, seaports, Customs Office

Last Update: October 26, 2017