Customs inspection and data processing system and method thereof for web-based processing of customs information

Abstract

A multi-user, multi-organization web-based system for processing customs information is provided. The system includes a server device connected to a communication network and having a communication server module for communicating over the network. The server device receives a declaration pertaining to a consignment, including identification of specific goods in the consignment and predetermined parameters of the consignment. The server device further includes an application program module that verifies the declaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculates an amount of customs duty and taxes for the consignment, and determines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis. A computer-implemented method for processing the customs information is also provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a declaration pertaining to a consignment, and verifying the declaration. Also included are the steps of conducting a risk analysis of the received information, calculating an amount of customs duty and taxes for the consignment, and determining whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on the risk analysis.

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 communicating over said network;    said server device receiving a declaration pertaining to a consignment, including identification of specific goods in said consignment and predetermined parameters of said consignment; and    said server device including an application program module that verifies said declaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculates an amount of customs duty and taxes for said consignment, and determines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on said risk analysis.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said inspection process is initiated, said application program module causes said server device to re-calculate the amount of said customs duty and taxes if there is a consignment discrepancy.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said application program module causes said server device to record said consignment discrepancy.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said application program module causes said server device to accept payment from said user.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said server device issues a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignment.  
     
     
         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 6 , 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 8 , wherein said server device issues a clearance document after said user pays said customs duty and taxes for said consignment.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said risk analysis includes identifying, 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 to retrieve price 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 pertaining to said consignment includes information obtained from a customs declaration.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a customs department initiates 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 client-user device including a client application module for communicating over said network with said server device and submitting a declaration pertaining to a consignment, including identification of specific goods in said consignment, and predetermined parameters of said consignment;    said server device receiving said declaration; and    said server device including an application program module that verifies said declaration, conducts a risk analysis of the received information, calculates an amount of customs duty and taxes for said consignment, and determines whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on said risk analysis,    wherein said server device accepts said calculated amount 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 declaration pertaining to a consignment, including identification of specific goods in said consignment and predetermined parameters of said consignment;    verifying said declaration;    conducting a risk analysis of the received information;    calculating an amount of customs duty and taxes for said consignment;    determining whether or not to initiate an inspection process based on said risk analysis.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step 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 of recording said consignment discrepancy.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the step of accepting payment from said user.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the step of 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.  
     
     
         28 . 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 28 , 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.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said risk analysis further includes comparing said risk against target criteria.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said risk analysis further includes comparing said received information with target criteria.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein a system administrator defines and updates said target criteria.  
     
     
         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 duty and taxes for said consignment.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said information pertaining to said consignment includes information obtained from a manifest document.  
     
     
         36 . The method 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 declaration.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein a customs department initiates an inspection process.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said inspection process is at least one of a random inspection, a sample inspection, and a full inspection.