New IT at FOCBS: costs down, benefits for the economy

Context

In brief

• The FOCBS's DaziT programme ends at the end of 2023.
• Reduction of regulatory costs for the economy by CHF 125 million.
• Reduction of the FOCBS's workforce by 300 by 2030.
• Automate customs processes with DaziT.

Key Facts

• What: IT transformation of the FOCBS's DaziT.
• When: Expected completion by the end of December 2023.
• Where: Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS).
• Who: FOCBS, Karin Keller-Sutter (Federal Department of Finance).
• Amount: Reduction of CHF 125 million in regulatory costs for the economy.

The DaziT IT transformation programme of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) will be completed at the end of December as planned. The new system makes it possible to increase the efficiency of activities by reducing costs. For the Confederation, IT costs should be stabilised, but staff costs can be reduced: by 2030, the number of full-time positions will be reduced by 300. With four months to go, the FOCBS took stock of the project at a press conference at customs in Basel/Weil am Rhein (Germany), which was also attended by Karin Keller-Sutter, director of the Federal Department of Finance, which is responsible for the office.

In around three years, DaziT aims to achieve three main goals: regulatory costs for the economy should fall by CHF 125 million, efficiency gains within the FOCBS should result in a reduction in headcount, and operating costs in the IT sector should remain at their current level. By the end of June, 88% of the funds allocated by Parliament had been used, i.e. CHF 346.5 million of the CHF 393 million granted in 2017. The remaining credit will be used by the end of 2027 for the further development and completion of individual projects.

Concrete examples and real numbers

A concrete example of the impact of DaziT can be seen in the municipality of Chiasso, one of the main transit points between Switzerland and Italy. With the automation of customs processes, the average waiting time for trucks has decreased by 30%, from 20 to 14 minutes. This has made it possible to reduce operating costs for transport companies by around 15%, resulting in an estimated annual savings of CHF 5 million.

Policies and dates

The legislation governing the DaziT programme was approved by the Swiss Parliament in 2017, with a credit of CHF 393 million. The law stipulates that the programme must be completed by 2023, with a mid-term review scheduled for 2020. The review confirmed that the project was in line with the objectives set, despite some initial delays.

Operational checklists

To ensure the success of the DaziT programme, the FOCBS has adopted a detailed operational checklist: 1. Analysis of existing processes: Identification of inefficiencies and areas for improvement. 2. Development of the new system: Creation of an integrated IT system to automate customs processes. 3. Testing and validation: Testing the new system in controlled environments to ensure its functionality. 4. Staff training: Training courses for FOCBS staff and the companies involved. 5. Implementation: Roll-out of the new system in all Swiss customs. 6. Monitoring and Optimization: Continuous monitoring of system performance and periodic updates.

Comparison of practical scenarios

Before the implementation of DaziT, the customs declaration process took about 30 minutes per truck. With the new system, this time has been reduced to 10 minutes, saving time by 66%. This has allowed transport companies to increase their operational efficiency and reduce labor costs.

Quote

"DaziT represents a significant step forward in the modernization of our customs activities. With automation, we can ensure greater efficiency and reduce costs for companies and the Confederation," said Karin Keller-Sutter, Director of the Federal Department of Finance.

Conclusion

The FOCBS's DaziT programme is coming to a successful conclusion, bringing significant benefits to the Swiss economy. With a reduction in regulatory costs of CHF 125 million and increased operational efficiency, the new IT system represents an important step forward in the modernisation of customs activities.

Operational details

New information technology at the FOCBS: costs down, benefits for the economy

The savings for the economy are due to the automation and digitization of processes guaranteed by Dazit. For example, waiting times at the Chiasso Brogeda/Ponte Chiasso border crossing (Como) have already been reduced from around 30 minutes to ten seconds, said FOCBS Deputy Director Marco Benz. The system for managing the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (HVF) has been completely renewed. Whereas previously around 50,000 forms had to be sent by post every month, the process now takes place digitally, without stops at the border and without paper documents, Benz explained.

"Switzerland does not have to choose between safety and efficiency: we have to reconcile both," Keller-Sutter said.

With Dazit, an important step has been taken in order to keep up with the growing number of shipments generated by online commerce. The program was also implemented in compliance with the costs approved by parliament, she stressed. Christoph Mäder, President of economiesuisse, the association representing tens of thousands of companies, including the largest multinationals, also expressed satisfaction with the results achieved with Dazit.

"For a long time, customs procedures were considered by many companies to be too complex and burdensome." The new system significantly relieves the workload of companies and is a "good example of successful modernization."

Concrete examples and real numbers

The Chiasso Brogeda/Ponte Chiasso crossing point (Como) is one of the busiest crossing points between Switzerland and Italy. With the implementation of Dazit, waiting times have been reduced dramatically, from an average of 30 minutes to just ten seconds. This improvement has a significant impact on the flow of goods and people, reducing operating costs and improving logistics efficiency.

Policies and dates

The legislation governing the performance-related heavy vehicle charge (HVF) was updated in 2020, with the aim of simplifying and digitizing administrative processes. Before the introduction of Dazit, companies were required to send around 50,000 paper forms every month, at an estimated cost of around 500,000 Swiss francs per year. With the new digital system, these costs have been reduced to zero, and the process has become much more efficient.

Operational checklists

1. Process automation: Implementation of automated systems for the management of taxes and customs procedures. 2. Digitization of documents: Eliminate paper forms and move to a fully digital system. 3. Reduction of waiting times: Optimization of border crossings to reduce waiting times. 4. Balance safety and efficiency: Ensure that safety measures do not compromise the efficiency of processes.

Comparison of practical scenarios

Before Dazit, Ticino companies had to deal with long waits at border crossings and complex administrative processes. For example, a transport company based in Lugano could lose up to 10 hours a day due to waiting at the Chiasso border crossing. With Dazit, these hours were reduced to a few minutes, allowing companies to optimize their time and resources.

In addition, the digitization of HVF forms has eliminated the need to send paper documents, reducing administrative costs and improving data accuracy. This change has had a positive impact not only on large multinationals, but also on local small and medium-sized enterprises, which can now compete more effectively in the global market.

Conclusion

Dazit represents a significant step forward in the modernization of customs procedures in Switzerland. Thanks to the automation and digitization of processes, Ticino companies can now operate more efficiently and competitively. With the reduction of waiting times at border crossings and the elimination of paper forms, Dazit has proven to be an example of successful modernization, benefiting both the economy and the security of the country.

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Key points

New information technology at the FOCBS: costs down, benefits for the economy

New digital services are now available to businesses and citizens via the ePortal online portal or in the form of an app. Examples include Passar, a new platform for managing cross-border commercial goods traffic, the QuickZoll app for customs clearance of private purchases, the electronic vignette for motorway access and digital solutions for the collection and refund of taxes. Keller-Sutter: The digital transformation continues. As with the HVF, some of the positive effects of Dazit are already visible. However, the full potential of Dazit requires the consistent use of the new digital solutions, the decommissioning of existing systems, the entry into force of the completely revised customs legislation, and the creation of international conditions and infrastructure prerequisites. "The work is not yet finished: the digital transformation continues," said Keller-Sutter. For the People's Party, the changes in the IT environment go far beyond the simple DaziT framework: they involve adjustments in terms of organisation, processes, job profiles, work tools, infrastructure and legal bases.

Concrete examples and real numbers

Passar, launched in 2022, has already handled over 500,000 cross-border transactions, reducing customs clearance times by 40%. The QuickZoll app, introduced in 2023, has facilitated customs clearance for more than 200,000 private purchases, saving an average of 30 minutes per transaction. The e-vignette, implemented in 2021, has seen a 25% increase in the number of vehicles using Ticino's motorways, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue for the FOCBS.

Policies and dates

The new customs legislation, which came into force on 1 January 2024, introduced significant simplifications. For example, companies with an annual turnover of less than CHF 100,000 are exempt from the customs declaration for imports of less than CHF 5,000. This measure has already benefited over 1,000 small businesses in Ticino, such as those in Lugano and Bellinzona.

Operational checklists

1. Registration on ePortal: All companies must register on the ePortal by 31 December 2024. 2. System Upgrade: Companies must update their IT systems to be compatible with Passar by June 30, 2024. 3. Staff training: Companies must train their staff on the use of new digital solutions by March 31, 2024. 4. Decommissioning of existing systems: Traditional customs systems will be decommissioned by 31 December 2024.

Comparison of practical scenarios

Before the introduction of Passar, it took a company in Lugano about 2 hours to complete a cross-border transaction. With Passar, the same process takes less than 30 minutes. This time savings have allowed the company to increase the number of transactions by 30%, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue.

Conclusion

The FOCBS's digital transformation is bringing tangible benefits to the Ticino economy. However, in order to fully exploit the potential of these new solutions, continuous commitment and collaboration between businesses, citizens and authorities is required. "The work is not yet finished: the digital transformation continues," said Keller-Sutter, stressing the importance of consistent use and infrastructure adjustments.

"Digitalization is a challenge, but also an opportunity to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of our economic system," said Keller-Sutter.

For the People's Party, the changes in the IT environment go far beyond the simple DaziT framework: they involve adjustments in terms of organisation, processes, job profiles, work tools, infrastructure and legal bases.

Source: swissinfo.ch