DETECT: Strengthening the capacity of Malta Customs to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods

ended

Malta is actively engaged in the protection of its national borders and the EU’s external borders against all smuggled taxable goods that threaten the fiscal and security interests of both parties. Malta Customs is tasked with the optimum utilization of resources for the proper risk assessment and control of imported goods by using non-intrusive search technologies and competently trained staff. Customs is in the process of upgrading its mobile x-ray tunnel vans owing to the phasing out of the system procured several years ago. This initiative addresses the need on Malta Customs to continually strengthen its operational and technical capacity to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods, by targeting control operations, with additional functionality for the scanning of personal luggage and commercial packages at varying locations, mainly, at the national airport, various seaports, the Parcel Post Office and merchants’ premises. The procurement of such equipment, complemented by professional training to designated staff, shall provide Malta Customs with the tools to increasingly safeguard the financial interests of the Union, through the prevention and action against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities. This project aims at increasing the beneficiaries’ operational and technical capacity, in order to be able to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods more effectively and efficiently. The operations conducted by this equipment and professionally trained staff will allow the Department to improve on its capacity to identify contraband and counterfeit goods which individuals would try to move into and out of the EU through Malta's airport, seaports and Parcel Post Office. In light of the above, the objectives of this project are as follows: • To procure 1 (one) mobile x-ray tunnel van; • To train 8 (eight) staff members manning the equipment; and • To increase Malta Customs’ search capacity and detection and seizures by 40% and 15%, respectively.