GRA Strengthens Customs Compliance Through WCO Post-Clearance Audit Mission

By CTV Africa

BANJUL, The Gambia — The Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has strengthened efforts to improve customs compliance and trade facilitation following a Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) Support Mission conducted in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The mission, held from 3 to 7 August 2026 under the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, brought together GRA officials and WCO experts for a comprehensive gap analysis and PCA enhancement workshop.

Customs officers representing different parts of the country participated in the exercise, working alongside WCO experts in intensive technical sessions aimed at assessing and strengthening the Authority’s post-clearance audit framework.

The working groups focused on key areas including PCA strategy, legislation, procedures, risk management, stakeholder liaison, human resource management and information technology support.

31 Recommendations, 74 Remedial Actions

One of the key outcomes of the mission was the development of a comprehensive PCA Enhancement Action Plan, providing a roadmap for strengthening the post-clearance audit function between 2026 and 2029.

The plan contains 31 recommendations and 74 remedial actions, targeting reforms and modernization across the various pillars of customs post-clearance auditing.

The proposed measures cover areas ranging from risk management and audit procedures to technical and IT support, as well as human resource development and institutional capacity.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the GRA’s ability to identify compliance risks while improving the efficiency of customs processes and facilitating legitimate trade.

Engagement with Business Community

The mission also included direct consultations with clearing agents and representatives of the business community, providing traders with an opportunity to contribute to discussions on customs compliance and trade facilitation.

The engagement sought to ensure that reforms take into account the experiences and concerns of businesses operating within The Gambia’s customs environment.

As part of the mission, GRA officials and WCO experts also conducted a field visit to the seaport, where customs officers demonstrated live clearance operations.

The delegation observed key aspects of the customs process, including Single Window operations, targeting and selectivity systems, documentary review, physical inspection procedures, audit practices and fast-track clearance.

The field exercise provided the WCO team with first-hand insight into how risk-based customs controls and post-clearance audits are applied in practice to protect government revenue while facilitating legitimate trade.

Towards Modern and Efficient Customs Administration

The GRA said the mission forms part of its broader efforts to modernize customs administration, strengthen risk management and build human resource capacity while deepening engagement with the trade community.

The Authority said improving post-clearance auditing will contribute to a more efficient, transparent, compliant and revenue-secure customs environment.

GRA Management expressed appreciation to the World Customs Organization, UK International Development and Zambia Customs for their continued support towards strengthening the Authority’s customs administration and post-clearance audit capacity.

The Authority said the collaboration will help provide customs officials with stronger tools, improved systems and a sharper focus on compliance, transparency and effective post-clearance auditing in the years ahead.