OSCE UNECE Handbook of Best Practices at Border Crossings – A Trade and Transport Facilitation Perspective
Author: OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities and UNECE Transport Division.
Published: The Handbook was published in 2012.
Link to the document on the internet: The Handbook is available on the OSCE website and UNECE website
Objective: To assist the 56 OSCE participating States/UNECE member States in the development of more efficient and secure border and customs policies through the promotion of existing best practices in this field. The Handbook is intended for use as a practical guide both for government agencies and for the private sector bodies that are the “users” of border crossing points.
Overview: Throughout the Handbook pragmatic advice regarding the development of new border-related policies and the introduction of new best-practice procedures and technologies is complemented with actual operational examples. Customs authorities will find a number of recommendations that will improve their work and will facilitate trade and cross border transport. The Handbook covers the following topics: relevant legislation, legal issues, the role of international organizations, comprehensive border management, participation of and collaboration with users from the private sector, trade facilitation and security, freight processing and good control policies, risk management, border design, information and inspection technologies, human resources management, financial management, and finally performance indicators and benchmarking. Two annexes provide basic definitions of certain terms used in the Handbook, ranging from border station through to inland waterway and customs territory, and an overview of the vast number of organizations that are involved in the business of operating a border crossing point.
Pages that cite the OSCE UNECE Handbook of Best Practices at Border Crossings:
