Dubai Customs to launch app that helps complete checks in 5 minutes

Dubai Customs will soon launch an app that will cut customs check at the airports from 45 minutes to five minutes, an official said at the ongoing 38^th Gitex Technology Week at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The app called iDeclare is being pilot-tested and will be available on both iOS and Android devices early next year. The project is part of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation's (PCFC) smart initiatives under the theme 'Future Transformations Gate'.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on Tuesday, Ahmed Al Rasasi, project lead at Dubai Customs, said the travellers who carry goods that need to be declared should use the app to cut time at the customs check.
"Usually when travellers enter Dubai, those who need to declare some goods, will spend at least 30-45 minutes at the customs check because there is a queue. But with the iDeclare app, they can declare beforehand the goods that they are bringing here," Al Rasasi explained.
"A QR code will be sent to the traveller and this will be shown at the customs counter for faster entry," he added. The online declaration app will also let the traveller know how much customs duty will be levied.
Sultan bin Sulayem, DP World Group Chairman & CEO and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said: "We are keeping abreast of technological advancements in order not only to survive but to thrive in today's market."
"This is what motivates us to adopt leading projects like the Hyperloop and the Blockchain. We always aspire to introduce new things that dazzle the world and disrupt the trade and transport sectors in fulfilment of our ambitious UAE Centennial 2071 Project and in support of big world events like Expo 2020," he added.
Meanwhile, the PCFC also launched an app called Nau that connects boat captains (nukdahs in Arabic) with traders who are looking to ship their cargo to nearby ports. The app, which is available in English, Farsi and Arabic, can be used to search, inquire availability and book cargo shipments.
angel@khaleejtimes.com