New IT at FOCBS: costs down, benefits for the economy (cross-border guide)

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.

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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."

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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.

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