Article of Syed Shoaib Raza, Additional Director, Directorate of Customs Intelligence Lahore on the occasion of International Customs Day 2026

As the world celebrates International Customs Day under the theme “Customs Protecting Society Through Vigilance and Commitment,” Pakistan Customs stands at a pivotal moment. With cross-border trade growing at an explosive pace, the challenge is no longer just about revenue collection—it is about safeguarding public health, security, and economic integrity in a digital age. This year’s theme resonates deeply in an era where smuggling, narcotics, counterfeit goods, and cyber-enabled fraud are evolving faster than traditional enforcement mechanisms. Moreover, the continuously growing volume of trade makes it nearly impossible for customs administrations to apply physical enforcement checks, making their job more challenging.

To understand the sensitivity of this challenge, it is worth noting that Korea’s e-commerce import volume soared from 63 million transactions in 2021 to 180 million in 2024—a nearly threefold increase. To manage this deluge without compromising security, KCS deployed an AI-based Integrated Risk Management System that slashed risk-assessment time from one hour to under one minute. High-risk shipments are flagged automatically, while low-risk goods clear instantly, saving an estimated KRW 125.7 billion annually.AI-powered X-ray scanning automatically detects prohibited items like firearms and narcotics, and a Big Data Portal that uses sophisticated analytics for intelligent customs clearances. 

Pakistan Customs has made notable strides in recent years in the realm of digital trade. The Web-Based One Customs (WeBOC) system and Pakistan Single Window (PSW) are significant digital milestones. Our Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) integrations reflect growing technical capability. These platforms show a commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while embedding monitoring mechanisms.

Operationally, vigilance is evident in rising seizure rates of narcotics, counterfeit goods, and smuggled items—particularly at key entry points such as ports, airports, and border stations. The recent performance of Customs Enforcement Units across the country, focusing on risk-based inspections, reflects a structured approach to threat detection. However, vigilance in the 21st century demands more than seizures; it requires predictive capability. For Pakistan, this implies moving beyond declaration processing to behavioral analytics of traders (both commercial and non-commercial importers and exporters), licensees, and logistics providers. It also means protecting society from emerging threats: narcotics in postal parcels, substandard pharmaceuticals, counterfeit electronics, and dual-use goods.

Pakistan Customs stands at a crossroads where vigilance must become digital, proactive, and intelligence-led, and commitment must translate into sustained institutional capacity and integrity. On this International Customs Day, the call is clear: protecting society requires more than vigilance at ports—it demands a system-wide commitment to innovation, integration, and integrity. By embracing technology and collaboration, Pakistan Customs is transforming from a traditional border controller to a forward-looking guardian of national security and public trust.

SOURCE: TaxHelpLine Team