Kathmandu, December 28 The Department of Customs (DoC) is preparing to launch the pilot programme of the fully web-based system for customs data on the occasion of Customs Day on January 26. The DoC has signed an agreement with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to deploy the most advanced version of software, which is known as ASYCUDA World, on customs data management in the country. “The pilot phase programme will be initiated from the Mechi Customs and then gradually implemented at Biratnagar, Bhairahawa and rest of the customs offices,” said Damodar Regmi, deputy director general of the DoC, adding, “Traders can submit the customs declaration through internet and the DoC also can monitor the assessment done by the customs offices via online system.” The process of developing latest version of software was initiated a year back. The move of DoC to introduce the latest version of Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) software is aimed at providing impetus to customs administration reform and modernisation process, which began in 2003. ASYCUDAWorld is web-based software, which will link various government and private agencies dealing with customs offices. These agencies include the transport department, the inland revenue department, the finance ministry and private customs agents, to name a few. Once this software is introduced, various customs agents can process customs declaration forms, submit transit documents and give away details on transport document numbers, consignors and consignees, number and kind of packages, quantities of goods, among others, via the internet. Currently, most of the customs offices here are using ASYCUDA++ software. This software works on various telecommunications networks, including GSM. However, it is not web-based and does not allow customs agents to handle transactions through internet. Deployment of the latest project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, is expected to enhance customs control capabilities like risk-assessment and make processes like accounting, post-clearance audit, and statistics and information management more robust.