OA19575A - System and method for web-based processing of customs information. - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-user, multi-organization web-based system for processing customs information is provided. The system includes a server device (24) connected to a communication network (22) and having a communication server module for communicating over the network (22). The server device (24) receives a declaration pertaining to a consignment (S322), including identification of specific goods in the consignment and predetermined parameters of the consignment. The server device (24) further includes an application program module (24 a-c) that verifies the declaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculates an amount of customs duty and taxes for the consignment (S342), and determines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis (S344, S346).

Description

CUSTOMS INSPECTION AND DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF FOR WEB-BASED PROCESSING OF CUSTOMS INFORMATION

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This application, claims the benefit under 35 U.S. C. § 119 (e) of the filing date of provisional patent application Serial No. 60/353,695 filed February 25, 2002, which is incorporated herein by raferen.ee.

BACKGROÜND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The présent invention relates generally to customs inspection and data processing Systems and, more particularly, to a System, method and computer program product for Processing (e.g,, viewing, pricing, storing, retrieving, editing, summarizing, analyzing, reporting) customs information over the Internet from any remote location at any time.

2. Description of the Sackground Art

There has alwaya been a strong demand for timely, consistent and reliable customs information in order to, for example, accurately levy customs duties and taxes on imported goods, from any remote location. Racently, the demand has been growing.

Several countries of exports hâve numerous points of entrics and remote customs offices. Customs officiais at remote customs offices hâve in the past attemptad to verify a declared price of a consignment against previous consignments 5 of identical or similar goods from the same country of export that are made at or about the same time as the new consignment. Very often, however, consignments cannot be found in the customs local database. The customs officiais would therefore hâve to locate prices, which is time ccnsuming 10 and can create unacceptable delays in customs clearance. Even when previous consignments are found, it is usually necessary to update the price of the previous consignaient in the local databa.se based on the commercial level and quantity of the new consignaient, thereby creating substantiel data inconsistencies 15 in available customs information that may be critical to a customs official in the decision making process.

Customs offices generally use communication médiums, such as dedicated satellite links, lease iines, etc-, and support alternatives to communicate with other or multiple remote customs offices and the trading community. These communication médiums are very expensive, and burdensome ta operate and maintain. For example, when a customs office expériences problems with its System, onsite technical support is almost, always required. For larger countries and large user-communities (e.g., United States of America, Russie, etc.), such technical support is more expensive than the a ervices.

Lastly, current customs information processing Systems lack the necessary intégration of those aspects of a customsbased enterprise to provide current and reliable customs information, when and as needed, to enable a customs official or office to control its overall operation.

Thesa features are désirable and are not implemented or available in conventional customs information processing Systems.

Therefore, notwithstanding the available customs information processing Systems, there remains a need in the art for a customs inspection and data processing System for reliably processing customs information over the Internet from any remote location at any time.

SUMMARY QF THS INVENTION

A primary object of the présent invention is to overcome the deflciencies of the prior art Systems described above by providing a customs inspection and data processing System for Processing (e.g., viewing, pricing, storing, retrieving, editing, summarizing, analyzing, reporting) customs information over the Internet from any remote location at any time .

It is another object of the présent invention to provide a customs inspection and data processing System that is a strong and stable foundation for security and scalability.

It is yet another object of the présent invention to provide a customs inspection and data processing system that can be designed to ada.pt to new development s.

Yet another object of the présent invention is to provide a customs inspection and data processing system that is a rich and extensible foundation for building sophisticated customs clearance applications that integrate with existing back-end Systems.

Another object of the présent invention is to provide a customs inspection and data processing systam that allows usera to hâve real-time analytics, and control and risk management.

The présent invention achieves these objects and others by providing a web-based system for procassing customs information, comprising a server device connected to a communication network and having a communication server module for coramunicating over the network. The server device recaives a déclaration pertaining to a consignaient,· including identification of spécifie goods in the consignment and predatermined parameters of the consignment. The server device further includes an application program module that vérifias the déclaration, conducts.a risk analysis of the received information, calculâtes an amount of customs duty and taxes for the consignaient, and détermines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis.

The présent invention further achieves these objecta and others by providing a web-based system for processing customs information comprising a server device connected to a communication network and having a communication server module for communicating over the network, and a client-user device including a client application module for communicating over the network with tha server device and submitting a déclaration pertaining to a con.signm.ent, including identification of spécifie goods in the consignment, and predetermined parameters of the consignaient. The server device receives a déclaration, and an application program module vérifiés the déclaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculâtes an amount of customs duty and taxes for the consignaient, and déterminas whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis. The server devica accepta the calculated amount of the customs duty and taxas from the client-user device.

Further, the présent invention achieves these objecta and others by providing a conputer-implemented method for Processing customs information, comprising the steps of receiving a déclaration pertaining ta a consignment, and varifying tha déclaration. Also included are the steps of conducting a risk analysis of the received information, calculating an amount of customs duty and taxes foi- the consignment, and determining whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorpoxated herein and form part of the spécification, illustrate various embodiments of ohe présent invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a pexson skilled in the pertinent art to make and use rhe invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar éléments. A more complété appréciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the application architecture for a customs inspection and data processing System according to the présent invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a customs inspection and data processing System according to the présent invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a customs inspection and data processing System according to the présent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating details of a Cargo Control Module of the customs inspection and data processing System of FIG, 3,

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating details of

Déclaration Module of the customs inspection and data Processing system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating détails of an Inspection Module of the customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating details of a Revenue Accounting Module of the customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3.

FIG. Θ is a flow diagram illustrating details of a Risk Management S Selectivity Module of the customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THS PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, spécifie details are set forth, such as particular networks, communication Systems, computers, terminais, devices, components, techniques, data and network protocols, software products and Systems, enterprise applications, operating Systems, enterprise technologies, raiddleware, development interfaces, hardware, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the présent invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the présent invention may be practiced in other embodiments that départ from these spécifie details . Detailed descriptions of well-known networks, communication Systems, comouters, terminais, devices, components, techniques, data anu network protocols, software products ano. Systems, entarprise applications, operating Systems, enterprise technologies, middleware, development interfaces, and hardware are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the présent invention.

To facilitate a complété understanding of the pressât invention, the description of the preferred embodiment is arranged within the following sections:

1. GLOSSARY OF TERMS

2. APPLICATION ARCHITECTURE

3, SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE AND COMPONENTS

4. OPERATION OF SYSTEM AND MODULES

5. CONCLUSION

1. Glossary o£ Taras

The following taras are used throughout the detailed description :

Hyperlink. A navigational link from one document to another, or from one portion (or component) of a document to another. Typically, a hyperlink is displayed as a highlighted word or phrase that can be selected by clicking on it using a mouse to jump to the associated document or documanted portion.

Internet. A collection of interconnected (public and/or private) networks that are linked together by a set of standard protocols (such as TCP/IP and HTTP) te form a global, distributed network. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the internet may be an intranet, public network, private network, and the like. While this term is intended to rafar to what is now commonly known as the internet, it is also intended to encompass variations whloh may be made in the future, including changes and additions to existing standard prouocols.

World Wide Web (Web). Used harain to refer generally to both (i) a distributed collection of interlinkad, userviawable hypertext documents (commonly raferred to as Web documents or Web pages) that are accessible via the internet, and (ii) the client and server software components which provide user access to such documents using standardized internet protocole. Currently, the primary standard protocol for allowing applications to locate and acquire Web documents is HTTP, and the Web pages are encoded using HTML. However, the terms Web and World Wide Web are intended to encompass future markup languages and transport protocole which may be uaed in place of (or in addition to) HTML and HTTP.

Web Site. A computer System that serves informâtional content over a network using the standard protocols of the World Wide Web. Typically, a Web site corresponds to a particular internet domain nama, and includes the contant associated with a particular organisation. As used herein, the term is generally intended ta encompass both (i) the hardware/software server components that serve the inrormational content over the network, and (ii) the end· hardware/software components, including any non-standard or specialized components, that interact with the server components to perform services for Web site usera.

HTML (HyperTaxt Markup Language). A standard coding convention and set of codes for attaching présentation and linking attributes to informational content within documents. During a document authoring stage, the HTML codes (referred to as tags) are embedded within the informational content of the document. When the Web document (or HTML document) is subsequently transferred from a Web server to a browser, the codes are interpreted by the browser and used to parse and display the document. Additionally, in specifying how the Web browser is to display the document, HTML tags can be used to create links to other Web documents (commonly referred to as hyperlinks ).

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol). The standard World Wide Web client-server protocol used for the exchange of information (such as HTML documents, and client requests for such documents) between a browser and a Web server. HTTP includes a number of different types of messages which can be sent from the client to the server to requast different types of server actions. For example, a GET message, which has the format GET <URL>, causas the server to return the document or file located at rhe specified DHL.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator). A unique address which fully spécifiés the location of a file or other resource on the internat. The general format of a URL is protocol ://machine address:port/path/filename. The port spécification is optional, and if none is entered by the user, the browser defaults to the standard port for whatever service is specified as the protocol.

The terms user,” Official, inspecter, and office, are ail used interchangeably. However, while the terms are 10 used interchangeably, with respect to access of data and system functions, some customs officiais or offices may hâve different privilèges such that, for example, the customs information from one customs office is.not accessible by any other customs office. Further, each customs office can set 15 privilèges for its.usera with regard to their ability to enter, access, edit, and/or view data.

2. Application Architecture

The customs inspection and data processing system according to the présent invention provides a rich and 20 extensible foundation for building sophisticated customs clearance applications that integrate with existing back-end Systems. The architecture is based on the Microsoft .NET Framework. Accordingly, it is easy to extend the platform by choosing from a large number of available integrated third25 party solutions or having developers customize tools te meet spécifie business needs. In either case, the présent invention is designed for building tailored, scalable customs clearance solutions that optimizes the user expérience, and provides business managers with real-time analytics and control of their on-line businesses.

FIG. 1 illustrâtes a functional block diagram of the application architecture for a customs inspection and data processing System according ta the présent invention. The application architecture 100 includes layers 10, 12 and 14. Layer 10 comprises a Management Center module that allows System administrators ta configure system resaurces and manage applications, databases and Web servers.

Layer 12 comprises four main modules or sub-systems: a Business Analytics System 12a, a Profiling System 12b, a Targeting System 12c, and a Business Processing Services System 12d. Each system is designed to be easily customized ta meet spécifie business needs. A datailed description of the Business Analytics System 12a and Business Processing Services System 12d will now be given.

A. Business Analytiaa System 12a

Biz Analytics Services analyze data in the operational data store to refine the viaw of the customer with respect to empirical transactional, segmentation, and additional profiling data. The Services Optimizer opérâtes upon this refined data to plan, develop, deliver, and manage the broad intelligence communications plan to make it available to Biz Services. The Services Optimiser links diractly with Biz

Services to execute a sériés of ateps when nseded.

The User Interaction Services are a delivery vehicle for the services, targeting, and a means for collecting interaction data. That data is fed back to the operational data store to be used by the Biz Analytics Services applications to refine the business view of the customer and to manage the ongoing operational plan and national objactives.

Ail collected data is sent to the Operational Data Store (ODS). The Biz Analytics Services analyses and refines the data. The Service Optimizer together with the Biz Services process the refined data to further provide the interaction data to the user and provide the intelligence required for the system operation. This is a cyclic process where data is collected from usera and then refined data is forwarded to the user per request.

B. Business Processing Services System 12d

The Business Processing Services System 12d includes Cargo Processing Services, Déclaration Processing Services, Revenue Accounting Services, Risk Management Services, Inspection Processing Services, and Customs Tariff Services.

Action services are software infrastructure that defines and links one or more stages of a business process, thereby running them in logical sequence to complété a spécifie task. Action services divide processing into stages (e.g., abstractions that describe a category of work). They also

I Λ l détermine the sequence in which each category of work is performed. Each stage of an action service contains one or more action service component that can be configured to work with the unique requirements of the system. For example, a 5 typical Customs Déclaration Processing action service may include a Traders Information stage, a Payment stage, and an Inspection stage.

An action service component supports a standard set of interfaces that can be invoked in a uniform fashion during the 10 execution of an action service. Action service configuration files define action services. The action service specified by the file is created and run by an action controller object.

The action service architecture allows for new action service components (e.g., actors) to be created and plugged 15 into existing action services, often replacing an existing action service component and altering the original processing being performed by that action service. A common exampie of this action service components replacement is the action service that is executed to calculais the customs duties, 20 taxes and chargea while the déclaration is being processed for the completion of the déclaration transaction.

Several action servies components designed to calculate duties and taxes may be included. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, that these components 25 merely demonstrate the duties tax stage of the payment action service, and do not necessarily perform duties and tax cal culations in accordance with the spécifie duties and tax reouirements and law. These services or use tax component software should be oustomized to meet the needs of a spécifie customs office or country.

Additional action services can be developed to meet the spécifie needs of a business, The architecture of the action services makes it very easy to insert additional action service components into existing action services.

Action services are used in a variety of capacit_es throughout the présent invention to, for example, process transactions, select personalized content for display, and process direct mai! jobs. Action servies is a so.twaie infrastructure that exécutes a sequence of components. Each comoonent is a custom-tailored .NET object designed to perform operations on some part of a service document. The action controller coordinates the interaction of the action service components (e.g., Actors) by passing the service document from one component to another.

Action services are used to model many processes and include cargo processing, which is handled by the cargo Processing Actors; déclaration processing, whicn is handled by the Déclaration. Processing Actors; revenue accour.ting, which is handled by the Revenue Accounting Actors; inspection processing, which is handled by the Inspection Processing Actors; customs tarifa, which is handled by the Customs To.rixf

Actors; and déclaration sélection, which is handled by tne

Déclaration Sélection Framework (DSF) Actors. These action services automate manifest, déclaration, revenue collection and inspection processing in the customs clearance i environment.

The DSF action services automate the sélection of déclarations for inspection for risk management purposes. A set of components can be combined into action services to support either architecture. In addition, new components can be created to extend the capabilities of the action service architecture as explainad above.

Several action service features that provide flexible customs clearance process handling, easier clearance procedure maintenance, more flexible dutias, tax and exemption handling, and greater efficiency in action service loading and execution include high-precision currency handling, multiple customs clearance process handling (Customs Control Procedures), duties, Tax and Exemption handling, action service pooling, and dynamic action services.

i. Cargo Processing Services

Cargo processing services include loading journey details and house faills, verifying delivery orders and no objection certificates (NOCs). The cargo processing action services divide cargo processing into stages that describe a category of work. Thus, a typical cargo processing action services may include a Journey Information stage, a Manifest Process stage, a House Bills Création stage, an Authorizing Slot agent stage, and a Delivery Order création.

il. Déclaration Processing Services

Déclaration Processing services verify the déclaration document, capture invoice details, analyze risk against the target criteria payment services, and caiculate the amount of customs duty and taxes.

iii, Inspection Processing Services

Inspection processing services are a collection of business intelligence that can be staged or organized to fulfill specifxc requirementa of the inspection process. The process includes reporting the inspection of the consignment, and producing details of collecting penalties and fees for the inspection, and the goods seized.

iv. Revenue Accounting Services

Revenue Accounting services are related to the collection of revenue from various income sources, such as tax, duty, deposits, fines, penalties, or the like. The Revenue Accounting service divides revenue collection into stages that describe a category of Work. Thus, a typical revenue collection service may include an Invoice Génération stage, a Payment Process stage, and a Customs Recaipt génération stage. The various stages of revenue collection starts with an importai declaring his/her consignment, receiving customs invoice, and making payment and other related activities.

v. Risk Management Services

Risk Management System, is a systematic application of management procedures and advanced decision support that provides customs with the necessary information to deal with consignments that pose a risk. The Risk Management System exécutes dynamic business rules that are evaluated for calculations, decision making support, complicated business processes évaluation and customization of dynamic business rules, etc. Risk management includes action services such as intelligent data scans, data mming, etc.

The Risk Management & Selectivity optimizer consolidâtes and analyses data to dérivé information. The Risk Management Process involves idantifying, analyzing .and evaluating a ns.< for a submitted déclaration. The decision support system improves customs and tax revenue while deterring fraud and criminel activity, in addition to control contraband and substandard goods.

vi. Customs Tariff Services

Customs Tariff services organise the tariff items, customs duties, taxation, exemptions and charges. Comodmes are identified by an HS code. The Customs Tariff system helps maintain the HS codas and tariff details. HS codes are harmonized system codes le.g-, a code that is givan lû ev.ry item that is imported). An HS code is a combination or sections, headings, chapters and items.

vii. Administration Services

Administration services handle the system-wide services f managing user profiles, organisations profiles, groups, tariffs, etc. Administration services also include action services to defîne new currencies, locations, types and exchange rates to the application. It is responsable for dayto-day administration, and deals with user management, access control and other look--up fonctions, such as the maintenance of the HS codes, shipping agents, etc.

Layer 14 includes a SQL server (Data Warehou.se) , and LDAP, ODBC and SQL server (Profiles) .

Referring ta FIG, 1, other applications and tools 16 are included in the application architecture 100. For example, an Installation Program packages and unpacks Web sites and settings so that they ara easily deployed, A Business Process Services management provides business managers with the necessary management tools to, for example, update customs tariffs and profiles, manage risks (e.g., target déclarations based on goods and/or traders), and analyze customs clearance information for risk management and salectivity for inspection and revenue effectiveness.

In addition to the above, the following administration tools, as illustrated in Table 1, are provided for maintaining installation:

Task/Tool	Operation
SQL Enterprise Manager	Manages System's databases
IIS snap-in	Manages Web servers
Windows 2000 Active Drrectory Users and Computers	Manages Windows 2000 user accounts, computer accounts, and security and distribution groups
Windows 2000 Event Viewer	Views event logs

	— — — -
Tabl	Windows 2000 System Monitor	Collecta and viewa real-time computer performance data
Windows 2000 Backup Wizard	Backs up IIS metabase, Windows 2000 Registry settings, and System files
Windows 2000 Restora Wizard	Restores IIS metabase, Windows 2000 Registry settings, and System files
Le 1 ---

3. System Architecture and Components

FIG. 2 illustrâtes the logical architecture for a customs 5 inspection and data processing System according to tha praaent invention. The logical architecture is based on the Microsoft .NET architecture which supports many different physical configurations and highly scalable web applications. The logical architecture is a multi-tier application with host, 10 Systems and business-to-business intégration. The intégration supports batch and real-time connectors.

Referring ro FIG. 2, the highly scalable logical architecture 200 includes a client-user device 20 and a server device 24, which are adapted to communiante over a communications network 22, such as the Internet, The client-user device 20 may include a client application module (not shown), which may be, for example, a web browser (e.g., Microsoft'’s Internet Explorer) . The client—user device 20 may be a desktop, WebTV, or any type of 20 computing device that allows a user to interactively browse the Internet 22 via the web browser. The web browser may include software that runs on the client-user device 2.0 and dxsplays web pages on the World Wide Web. The web browser displays information on the client-user device 20 by mterpreting HTML code that is used to build web pages on the World Wide Web.

Generally, web pages display graphies, sound and multimedia files, hyperünks, files that can be downloaded, and other internet raaources. The coding in the HTML files tells the wab browser how to display the text, graphies, links and multimedia files on the web pages. The HTML file that the web browser loads to display the web page does not actually contain the graphies, sound, multimedia files and other resources. Instaad, it contains HTML references to those graphies and filas.

In an implémentation described herein, the server device 24 includes a communication'server module and an application program server module. The communication server module acts as a web servar and communicates with the client-user device 20 over the Internet 22. The application program server module includes software applications, such as the MicroClear ASP.net web application.

Among other things, the server device 24 hasts the user interface (XML/XSL and ASP.NET pages) and lightweight .NET objecta called by the ASP.NET pages, and providas the logic that raquests data from the SQL servers, which provide the data store and management. The server device 24 is maintained by a service providar that handles hardware and software upgrades, troubleshooting and maintenance. Since the service provider handles the tasks of upgrading, troubleshooting and maintenance, usera need not worry about these tasks. Further since the MicroClear application is maintained on the server device 24, usera spend less time with System crashes, upgrades and installation difficulties.

In the multi-tier software hierarchy model of the server device 24, each tier provides specialized services that minimize the impact of changes to, for example, the présentation, business logic and database. A brief description of the Présentation Services Tier 24a, Business Logic Tier 24b and Data Access Tier 24c will now be given.

The Présentation Tier 24a is responsable for delivering data ror each reguested HTML page by marrying dynamic data generated by lower levels with static graphical templates.

The Business Logic Tier 24b contains the bulk of the Processing logia of the application. The Business Logic Tier 2 4b is based primarily on the Microsoft .NET Framework, thereby making it is easy to extend the platform by choosing from the large number of integrated third-party solutions ^avaa-l-^akle, or by having the developars customize tcols to meet their business needs.

Tne Data Access Tier 24c is also based on the Microsoft .NET Framework, and acts as an interface between the Business Logic Tier 24b, and the database server 26 and other applications 28. A database server module of the database erver 25 includes data structures that defîne how the organisation. databases are set up and how information is stored in and retrioved by the system, The Data Access Tier 24c serves two main purposes: 1) éliminâtes ail databasespecific information from being spread throughout higher-level tiers, and 2) provides translation between the domain object model and database relational model.

4. Operation, of System and Modulas ,

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a customs inspection and data processing system according te the présent invention. There are different privilèges and rôles for each user/participant (e.g., system administrator, customs office, importer) of the customs inspection and data Processing system. For example, the system administrators 30 are responsible for rebuilding the system with new functionalities (Configuration Manager) ; managing user profiles, organizing profiles, etc. (Security Administration/Adiaïnistration Module) in step S302; creatïng new duty calculation formulas or editing existing ones (Configuration Manager), and updating tariff data (Customs Tarirf Module) in step S304; managing risk management, defining new risk criteria, and managing revenue/customer accounts in step S306; and defining new currencies, locations, measuring units, etc. (Biz. Administration) in step 3309. In summary, among other things, system administrators define usera, organizations, employées, groups, etc.; and assign

rôles, user IDs and passwords. Usera can view and manage only those modules for which they are authorized.

If a System administrator needs to verify a declared price of a consignment, the présent invention has an interface 5 to the Customs Inspection and Audit Process Utilizing On-Line

Global Pricing System (ICS), U.S. Provisional Application 60/294,249 filed May 31, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference, A pricing request can be sent to the ICS via an external interface to the system, and the information can be 10 retrisved online from the ICS price database.

Similarly, agents/importers 32 and customs officiais 34 hâve different rôles in the présent invention, Referring to FIG. 3, an importer 32 registers his/her manifest document (Cargo Module) un step S320, and submits his customs déclaration (e.g., a local customs document) (Déclaration Module) to the customs department in step S322. A customs orficial then vérifiés the déclaration document (Déclaration Module) in step S340, and performs risk analysis and duty calculations (Risk Management Module) in step. S342. ïf an inspection ia required, an inspection process is initiated or requested (Inspection Module) in step S344. If there are no discrepancies or an inspection is not required, then payaient faills are issued (Revenue Accounting Module), inspection findings are reported (Inspection Module), and revenue accounting information is updated (Revenue Accounting Modula) in step ,5346. If there are no discrepancies, then the • ²⁵ importer makea duty payments (Revenue Accounting Module) in step S324.

Sach rôle above is realized using spécifie aspects and several task oriented modules such as the Cargo Module, o Déclaration Module, Bd.sk Management Module, Inspection Module, Revenue Accounting δ Selectivity Module, Tariff System and Administration Module (e.g., the Business Processing Services System 12d of FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 illustrâtes a flow diagram of tha Cargo Control 10 Module of the customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3. Steps S320 through 3322 of FIG. 3 are illustrated in FIG. 4, and are realized by the Cargo Control Module. The Cargo Control Module deals with the registration of arriving cargo. This assista carrier agents with keeping track of the 15 goods and issuing delivery orders for importers. The Cargo Control Module has several action services that deal with spécifie areas, such as journeys (e.g., captures voyage details), manifesta (e.g., manifesta registration), houae faills (e.g., provides goods details), delivery orders, and 20 NOCs. The manifest registration process results in the création of a manifest registration number (MRN). A delivery order (DO) is also created in this module.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating details of the Déclaration Module of the customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3. Steps 3322 through S324 and steps S342 through S344 of FIG. 3 are illustrated in FIG. 5, and are realized by the Déclaration Module. The Déclaration

Module enables importera and clearing agents to request and receive necessary customs clearance for their goods.

The customs inspection and data processing system of the présent invention is efficient and custoraer-oriented, and affords ail users with many options. For example, the importer can submit his déclaration in advance without invoice details before his goods arrive, and upload the invoice details later. A. customs bill document can be genarated, and the bill can be submitted to the customs department for clearance of the goods. Once the déclaration is submitted, the Risk. Management Module handles the risk matters on-line based on certain defined criteria, and décidés on the status of the déclaration (i,e., RED, YELLOW, GREEN charnel). If _a risk is found, an inspection request is sent to the Inspection Module.

A Revenue Tracking Module calculâtes the revenue, and any acceptable means of payment (e.g,, cash, check, money order, crédit card, user account maintained with the customs department, or the like) can be rendered. The customs bill is produced at the customs office for vérification, and the customs office vérifiés the bill against the manifost for any discrepancies, If in compliance, a document is issued for the release of the goods.

The customs official can view the déclaration submitted by the agent/importer along wiuh the status of the déclaration after it has undergone the risk management process. A déclaration having a RED channel status dénotés that the déclaration has to undergo the inspection process. A YELLOW channel status dénotés that the déclaration is incomplets or other information is required. A GREEN channel status dénotés that the déclaration is satisfactory; however, an inspection can be initiated if warranted.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating details of the Inspection Module of tha customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3. Steps 3344 through 3346 of FIG. 3 are illustrated in FIG, 6, and are realized by the Inspection Module. The Inspection Module deals with the inspection process involved in customs clearance. The inspection process assists customs officiais or inspectera with tracking and reporting inspection cases. The Inspection Module may be shared by other organizations within the same module. Once the déclaration form is properly completed and submitted (in the Déclaration Module), an inspection process can be initiated by the customs official at anytime.

The inspection may be conducted if there is a risk factor or upon an inspection request. The inspection process is coupled with the Risk Management & Selectivity (RMS) Module. If a risk is detected in the RMS Module, an inspection request is forwarded to the Inspection Module. Three typas of inspections are provided, and include random, sample and full inspections, In a random inspection, goods are selected ran.dom.ly based on the criteria defined in the risk management.

In a sample inspection, a sample of the goods is inspected; and in a full inspection, tha entire goods are inspected.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating details of the Revenue Accounting Module of the customs inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3. The Revenue Accounting Modula mariages revenues generatad from a variety of income sources in step S7Q2. The system collecta, tracks, reimburses and mariages the revenue ganerated from, for exampie, dutias, taxes, excisas, fines, deposits, other charges, etc. After a déclaration is submitted, the system calculâtes the duties, taxes and other fees based on the valus of the goods and its classification. Each successful and completed transaction will hâve a revenue figure assigned to it (step 3704). The Revenue Accounting Module kaaps track of the payments throughout the life of the transaction.

FIG. Θ is a flow diagram illustrating details of the Risk Management & Selactivity (RMS) Module of the customs' inspection and data processing system of FIG. 3. The RMS Module facilitâtes the optimization of high and low level customs processes, risks and resources. The RMS Module may be customized based on spécifie risk management procedures, entaria and strategies adopted by a host country. Risk management involves taking measures to continually improve the effectiveness of work performed by customs inspectors .

A customs department primary goal is to find imperts that non-compilant. In order to ensure compliance, the déclaration and accompanying documentation are reviewed in step S802. Tha RMS Module scans through the déclarations submitted for any risk, and détermines the status of the déclaration (e.g., RED, YELLOW or GREEN channel) in steps 8804 and S906. if a risk is found, an inspection request is sent ”o the Inspection Module indicating the appropriata steps to be taken (steps SS08 and S810). If no risk is found, duty payment is required for clearance in step S812.

The risk management procass consists of four key steps: (1) define risk and target criteria, (2) analyse and assess risk, (3) prescribe risk target action, and (4) track and report. Risk management for customs is an evolutionary process, and business processes should be updatad accordingly in order to accommodate the RMS Modula..

The Configuration Manager allows usera to promptly change the workflow of an existing system, and update their business processas according to their needs. It is an intelligent business service provider that supports and satisfies business requirements customization. New business rules and duty calculation formulas can be defined or edited using this reature. The system can be build from scratch using this tool with hardly any coding.

Tha features of the Configuration manager include rebuilding workflow transition, introducing new action service components, defining new actions or editing existing ones, and

0· changir.g page designs, defining/editing duty calculation, formulas.

The customs inspection and data processing system of the prasenc invention may comprise other task oriented modules.

For example, the Customs Tarife Module is a way of organizing and managing tariff items, customs duties, taxation, seasonal duties, exemptions and charges. The Tariff System defînes sections, chapters, headings, items, various import duties such as customs duty (as per the rules of each country), 10 seasonal duty, customs recording feas, spécial taxes on imported food and agricultural products, taxes according to the mass of the gooda, excise tax, etc.

The Administration Module manages the allocation of ayatem-w2.de services to authorized usera. It also maintains 15 and administers the systèmes reference tables, such as user profiles tables, organizations profiles tables, groups, etc. The Administration Module can define new typas (e.g., Bill types, DO types, etc.), new locations and new measuring units that are used in other modules. System administrators 20 implement security, and only authorized individuels are provided with a user account.

The Business Administration section allows new currencies, locations, measuring units, types and exchange rates into the system. Since the system supports multi25 currency, exchange rates play an important rôle during duty payment in the Revenue Accounting Module.

In the

Trade Information & Statistics Module, trade information and statistics ara genarated from the system operational data store (ODS) according to certain criteria of interest to customs and the international trade community. This information is composed of a variety of reports. In addition to the standard reports, the system provides the ability to create user-defined reports as well as a userdefined query functionality to meet spécifie requirements.

5. Conclusion

The customs inspection and data processing systam of the présent invention helps countries modernize, re-engineer, and energize their customs clearance and associated trade process. It aims at speeding up customs clearance through the introduction of highly secured web-based computarization and simplification of procedures, thereby minimizing administrative costs.

The customs inspection and data processing system of the présent invention provides functionality to ease the process oi internationalisation, and supports multi-language, multiple currencies, various date formats, etc. The présent invention is built on a 16-bit UNICODE compilant in order to support non-alphanumeric characters . The application architecture is flexible and easily adaptable.

The intelligent risk management system supports advanced decision making, track non-compliance, and enhance revenue collection by ensuring that (1) ail goods are declared, (2) ' ³² duty/tax calculations are correct, and (3) duty/exemptions, praference régimes, etc. are correctly applied and managed. The customs inspection and data processing system of the présent invention can be customized to restructure and adapt 5 to new customs operation processes easily. In addition, it aims at producing raliable and timely trade and fiscal statistics to assiat in the économie planning process as a bvproduct of the customs clearance process.,

The customs inspection and data processing system of the 10 présent invention ravolutionizes the process of customs clearance for the trading and customs community Ail customs processes and transactions are accessible via secured and encrypted internet access. These capabilities extend services to anyone who has access to the Internet, as no spécial 15 software or hardware, other than a standard internet connection, is regutrod to access and process customs information (e.g., perforai transactions and other customer service processes). Companies are allowed to process almost ail of their paperwork online, eliminating prior art Systems 20 and providing greater efficiencies and customer service.

The customs inspection and data processing system of the présent invantion is a comprehensive and integrated customs modernization, control, and advancad decision support system. Additionally, the présent invention takes full advantage of 15 Microsoft .NET Platform- and Windows 2000 Platform, including support for the Microsoft Active Directory service, .NET

Enterprise Servers and .NET

Platform technologies (e.g.,

Common Language Runtime, C# and Web Services).

The system, method and computer program product of the présent invention can be implemented on any wired or wireless communication medium, including, but not limited to, satellite, cellular, wireless or hardwired WAN, LAN and the 'like, public communication network, such as the internet, and private communication network, such as an,intranet. The design architecture of the system enables the System to easily rntegrate with any hardware platform, operating system, and most desktop and enterprise applications. The system is platform, network, and operating system agnostic.

The system, method and computer program product of tha présent invention supports a wide range of data and network protocols, including native support for IT, XML, HL7, WAP, Imode, G3 and other industry standard data and network protocols. The client and client application modules of the system, method and computer program product of the présent invention can be implemented using any operating system, and associated hardware including, but not limited to, Palm OS, Microsoft Windows CE, Unix, Linux, VMS, IBM, Microsoft Windows NT, .95, 93, 200, ME and XP, and the like.

The Systems, .processes and components set forth in the présent description may be implemented using one or more general purpose computers, microprocessors or the like, programmée! according to the teachings of the présent spécification, as will be appreciatad by those skilled in the relevant art(s). Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilled programmais based on the teachings of the présent disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art(s). The présent invention thus also includes a computer-based product which may be hosted on a storage medium and include instructions that can be used to program a computer to perform a process in accordance with the'présent invention. The storage medium can include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including a floppy disk, optical disk, CDROM, magneto-optical disk, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, either locally or remotely.

The foregoing has described the principles, embodiments, and modes of operation of the présent invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments described above, as they should be regarded as being illustrative and not as restrictive. It should be appreciatad that variations may be made in those embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the présent invention.

While a preferred embodiment of the présent invention has been described above, it should be understood that it has been prasentad by way of exampie only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the présent invention should not be

Limited by the above described exemplary embodiment.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the présent invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims (5)

What is claimed is:
1. -.1. The method of claim 30, wherein aaid riak analvsis further includes comparing aaid risk against target criteria

   32. The method of claim 30, wherein said risk analysis 5 further includes comparing said received information with target criteria.

   33. Tha method of claim 31, wherein. a system administrator defînes and updates said target criteria.

   I

   34. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of retrieving price information from a reference price database in order to calculate said amount of customs dutv and taxes for said consignment.

   35. The method of claim 21, wherein said information pertaining to said consignment includes information obtained from a manifeat document.

   36. The me_hod of claim 21, wherein said information pertaining to said consignment includes information obtained from a shipping invoice.

   37. The method of claim 21, wherein said information pertaining to said consignment includes information obtained from a customs déclaration.

   39· The method of claim 21, wherein a customs department initiâtes an inspection process.

   39. The method of claim 21, wherein said inspection

   1. A web-based System for processing customs information, comprising:

   a server device connected to a communication network, said server device having a communication server module for comunicating over said network;

   said server device receiving a déclaration pertaining to a consignment/ including identification of spécifie goods in said consignment and predeterminad parameters of said consignment; and said server device including an application program module that vérifiés said déclaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculâtes an amount of customs duty and taxas for said consignment, and détermines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on said risk analysis.
2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspection process is initiated, said application program module causes said server device to re-calculata tha amount of said customs duty and taxes if there is a consignment discrepancy.
3. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said application program module causes said server device to record said consignment discrepancy.
4. 4. The system of claim. 3, wherein said. application program module causes said server device to accept payment from said user.

   o. The system of claim 4, wherein said server device issues a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignaient.

   6. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspection process is initiated, said application program module causes said server device to accept payment from said user if there is no consignment discrepancy.

   7. The system of claim S, wherein said server device issues a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignment.

   8. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspection process is not initiated, said application program module causes said server device to accept payment from said user.

   9- The system of claim Θ, wherein said server device issues a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes fer said consignaient.

   10. The system of claim 1, wherein said risk analysis includes identifÿing, analyzing and evaluating a risk.

   11, The system of claim 10, wherein said risk analysis further includes comparing said risk against target criteria.

   12. The System of claim 10, wherein said risk analysis further includes comparing said received information,with target criteria.

   13. The system of claim 11, wherein a system administrator defines and updates said target criteria.

   14. The system of claim 1, wherein said application program module causes said server device te retrieve pries information from a reference price database in order to calculate said amount of customs duty and taxes for said consignment.

   15. The system of claim 1, wherein said information pertaining to said consignment includes information obtained from a manifest document.

   16. The system of claim 1, wherein said information pertaining .to said consignment includes information obtained from a shipping invoice.

   17. The system of claim 1, wherein said information pertainmg to said consignment includes information obtained from a customs déclaration.

   1Θ. The system of claim 1, wherein a customs department initiâtes an inspection process.

   19. The system of claim 1, wherein said inspection process is at least one of a random inspection, a sample inspection, and a full inspection.

   20. A web-based system for processing customs information, comprising:

   a server device connected to a communication network, said server device having a communication server module for communicating over said network;

   a cliant-user device including a client application module for communicating over said network with said server device and submitting a déclaration pertaining to a consignment, including identification of spécifie goods in 1^ consignment, and predetermined parameters of said consignment;

   Said sarver davice receiving said déclaration; and said server device including an application program module that vérifiés said déclaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculâtes an amount of

   40customs duty and taxes for said consignaient, and détermines whetner or not to initiate an inspection process based on said risk analysis, wherein said server device accepta said calculated amount 5 of said customs duty and taxes from said client-user device.

   21. A computer-implemented method for processing customs information, comprising the steps of:

   receiving a déclaration pertaining to a consignaient, 10 including identification of spécifie goods in said consignaient and predetermined parameters of said consignment;

   verifying said déclaration;

   conducting a risk analysis of the receivad information;

   calculating an amount of customs duty and taxes for said 15 consignment;

   determining whather or not to initiate an inspection process based on said risk analysis.

   22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step 20 of re-calculating the amount of said customs duty and taxes if said inspection process is initiated and there is a consignment discrepancy.

   23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step 25 of recording said aonsignment discrepancy.

   24. The method oi claim 23, further comprisina the step or accepting payment from said user.

   25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step issuing a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignment.

   26. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of accepting payment from said user if said inspection process is initiated and there is no consignment discrepancy.

   27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of issuing a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignment.

   29. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of accepting payment from said user if said inspection process is not initiated.

   29. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of issuing a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignment.

   30. The method of claim 21, wherein said risk analysis includes identifying, analyzing and evaluating a risk.
5. 5 process is at least one of a random inspection, a sample inspection, and a full inspection.