Guidelines for the Procurement of X-ray Equipment | RFQ Considerations and Screening Technology

All information contained in this article is referenced from WCO’s Guidelines for the procurement and deployment of scanning/NII Equipment which can be found at: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/facilitation/instrument-and-tools/tools/~/media/40E1B23E988B489492206C1D1BE93793.ashx

Excerpt:

“Customs administrations are faced with increasing volumes of traffic and greater expectations from business for faster clearance times without a corresponding increase in resources. At the same time, governments and society expect Customs to provide an effective control on imports, exports and transit traffic. Global terrorist attacks have also raised the expectations placed upon Customs administrations in respect of border security. To cope with this situation, many Members are looking at the potential often technical equipment, particularly Xray or gamma ray NII equipment for scanning containers, to help meet their objectives by increasing efficiency in inspections…

Members are looking at the potential of technical equipment, particularly X-ray or gamma ray equipment for scanning containers, to help meet their objectives by increasing efficiency in inspections. Container scanning/NII equipment can increase the number of consignments which receive Customs attention without causing undue delay, and it can identify illicit goods. The equipment requires a large capital outlay and the process of introducing it, from conception through to operation, impacts on both control and intelligence sectors and may entail changes to Departmental infrastructure and procedures. To justify the outlay cost, and ensure maximum return for the investment, it is necessary to ensure scanning/NII equipment is used effectively and is fully integrated into the risk assessment regime. The experience of Customs administrations who currently use it emphasizes that planning at an early stage for the introduction of the equipment is essential.”