One Window…

Remzi AKÇIN
UGM Chairman of the Board of Directors 

International organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the World Trade Organization, and the World Customs Organization advocate for the single window system. This system, when adopted by all member countries, has the potential to significantly expedite customs processes and foster practices that boost world trade.

According to the Ministry of Trade 2022 Annual Report, 173 documents issued by 21 institutions and required as annexes to customs declarations were transferred to the Single Window System (TPS) by the end of 2022.

The customs administration finalizes the customs procedures process. Some goods subject to the customs regime can only be imported by the institution or organization designated by the legislation. Depending on the nature of the goods, a permit, document, license, or letter of conformity must be obtained from a public institution or organization. Again, some types of goods (such as agricultural products) are subject to the supervision of institutions by their fields of duty. Documents such as permits, licenses, and letters of conformity obtained from the applications made to these institutions must be attached to the customs declaration, especially during the importation of goods, thus ensuring the implementation of the rules set by different legislation.

The follow-up of applications and documents based on each transaction and incorporating this into the customs procedures process prolongs the process of subjecting the goods to the regime, which is reflected as a negative cost element to the economy. In addition, the follow-up of whether these documents will be requested and the control of the accuracy of the submitted documents are constantly problematic.

International organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization endorse the single window system as a solution to these challenges. Furthermore, the rapid advancements in information technologies have revolutionized foreign trade transactions, positively influencing the operations of both the private sector and public institutions.

WHAT IS A SINGLE WINDOW?

A single window system is an electronic system that "enables the documents requested during customs procedures to be obtained from a single point and the customs procedures to be carried out and completed through the application made to a single point."

The single window system aims to "facilitate trade by reducing red tape" on the one hand and "increase the effectiveness of controls in import and export transactions" on the other hand.

The term single window is not a term used only for customs procedures. It is used for almost all transactions. For example, the Port Single Window system is used in maritime transportation.

BENEFITS OF A SINGLE WINDOW

We can list the benefits provided by single window application as follows:

- Documents, controls, and permits issued by different institutions and their applications have been standardized.

- Traders have now become able to follow the outcome of the application by making their applications to public institutions and organizations related to customs procedures in a single and standard way.

- Documents: Documents have started to be visible from the system by the customs administration, document issuing institutions, and traders.

When deductions from the limits granted to individuals within the scope of documents or permits were necessary, the customs administration would track this by recording it on the document. The computer system can now do these trackings. The available balances remaining in the limit can be seen and followed by the customs administration, the institutions issuing the document, and traders.

- Documents used in customs transactions can be checked and monitored more quickly and effectively, and possible irregularities can be prevented without causing any burden to traders.

- Traders can apply to relevant public institutions and organizations from their offices for the documents required for customs procedures and to follow the application results. In addition, it has become possible to quickly access the documents issued through the system and carry out customs procedures without waiting for the document to be prepared and sent on paper.

- Single Window System allows companies to carry out customs business and processes faster and at lower costs. This opportunity increases companies' international competitiveness.

Thanks to the permissions produced electronically, associated with many records, and automatically controlled, the accuracy of documents is no longer dependent on the attention and care of the person who prepares them. Errors caused by the human factor have been largely eliminated.

- All permit documents are produced only electronically and processed on secure systems. For this reason, it has become impossible to prepare fake documents and use them in customs procedures.

INTERNATIONAL SINGLE WINDOW APPLICATIONS

The Single-Window System is implemented in many countries around the world. However, there is no standard application for single-windows. Applications vary depending on the location and needs of the countries.

In some countries, not all government institutions are included in the single-window system, but a system is implemented with the participation of a limited number of government institutions. In some countries, ports are also integrated into the single-window system. Studies on integrating seaports and airports have continued in European Union countries since the 1960s. Work to incorporate all customs systems and port systems in the European Union continues.

In some countries, a national single-window system is implemented. In these countries, all government institutions are included in it and carry out their operations through it. Best practices in this regard are found in Singapore and South Korea.

Studies on the establishment of a regional or global single-window system continue worldwide. Efforts are continuing to establish a "single-window system," especially between the member states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union.

SINGLE WINDOW APPLICATION IN TÜRKİYE

The single-window system in Türkiye started with Prime Ministry Circular No. 2012/6 on "Single Window System in Customs Services," published in the Official Gazette on 20/03/2012. This Circular gave the Ministry of Commerce the duty and authority to carry out all work, "including the coordination of work to be done with all public institutions regarding customs procedures."

In accordance with the legislation, the documents that must be annexed to the customs declaration are examined, and which of them should be included in the single-window system is determined jointly by customs authorities and stakeholder institutions.

According to the 2022 Activity Report of the Ministry of Commerce, as of the end of 2022, 173 documents issued by 21 institutions and sought as annexes to customs declarations were transferred to the Single Window System (TPS).

The single window was included in the Eleventh Development Plan (2019-2023) with the following statements: "The Single Window System, which was implemented in 2016, integrated 21 institutions into the system as of the end of 2017, enabling taxpayers to apply and obtain many required documents from a single point via computer." and made the process easier."

In the Twelfth Development Plan (2024-2028), although the single window system is not mentioned by name, it is included as follows:

"624. Control, permit, and approval processes by different institutions will be simplified, and the required documents will be reduced.

624.1. "The appropriateness of the documents will be reviewed, and their number will be reduced."