Source: ICC
ICC’s Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) initiative has released a 2020 update of its 2013 publication examining the balance of facilitation and control required to combat illicit trade in Free Trade Zones.
The updated paper Controlling the zone: Balancing facilitation and control to combat illicit trade in the world’s Free Trade Zones sheds light on the trends of counterfeiting and other forms of illicit trade facilitated through free trade zones (FTZs).
Specifically, the report addresses how criminals use transit or transhipment of goods, through multiple, geographically diverse FTZs for no other purpose than to disguise the illicit nature of the products. The report also underpins the important role that Customs play in guarding FTZs from illicit operators and furnishes case studies of successful enforcement actions by Customs across the world.
Another key feature of the updated report, is the inclusion of extensive case studies serving to illustrate not only FTZ vulnerabilities but also to provide current approaches, best practices and standards that have been successful in mitigating the use of FTZs as vehicles to conduct crime. In this context, measures implemented by national governments and recent private sector initiatives are also showcased.
For full details, please click here.