PUTRAJAYA: The shift from a manual system to the Import Export Support Document System (SDSIE), implemented by the Customs Department at Port Klang, has significantly improved officers' integrity by facilitating the electronic management of customs documents.
The system reduces interaction with forwarding agents, closing off opportunities for corruption.
Since its full implementation in August last year, it has improved efficiency and compliance in the import and export process while also expediting and simplifying the assessment of goods.
Customs director-general Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin said Port Klang was selected for SDSIE as it handles nearly 70 per cent of the country's cargo.
So far, 937 companies and 3,065 forwarding agents have registered.
"The introduction of SDSIE not only reduces human intervention but also allows for a fully digital, paperless process, facilitating real-time communication between officers and declarants and providing a reference for audits," she told Berita Harian.
The SDSIE system covers various processes, such as submitting customs forms, paying duties and taxes, monitoring the status of imports and exports, and helping integrate multiple agencies involved in international trade.
"Users or agents dealing with the Customs Department only need to complete document submission, payment, and customs clearance online. Approvals are obtained much faster compared to before," she added.
She said SDSIE accelerates the import and export processes at Port Klang, reducing opportunities for corruption as interactions between officers and agents decrease.
"This is one of the efforts to tackle leakage and boost national revenue," she said.
Previously, manual processes took one to two days to complete, but now, officers can process up to 350 documents daily.
This digital system has also contributed to a record-high RM65.57 billion in indirect tax revenue since the pandemic.
She added that SDSIE was developed using internal expertise without outsourcing to external vendors, keeping government costs minimal.
"With a digital database, records can be retrieved whenever needed, and the implementation of SDSIE has enhanced governance and increased revenue, covering almost 70 per cent of cargo handling in Malaysia through Port Klang," she said.
Given the positive feedback from industry players, the system will expand to the northern and southern regions this year, with plans for nationwide adoption by the end of 2025.
This expansion is expected to increase tax revenue and efficiency further.
