Coordinated Border Management: From Theory to Practice

Abstract

In a globalised world where interconnectedness and integration are key dynamics influencing economic growth and social development, policymakers increasingly realise the need for accelerated transborder regulatory reform to remove unnecessary barriers and burdens on trade. The World Customs Organization (WCO) in its Customs in the 21st century document has captured these critical concepts for reform within the theme of Coordinated Border Management (CBM). For Customs, CBM is about describing how improved regulatory efficiency and effectiveness can be realised through greater coordination between border agencies during policy development and operational activities, both domestically and internationally. This paper considers the meaning of the CBM concept for the customs community in particular and border agencies in general. It provides an overview of the evolution of the concept, which serves as a theoretical underpinning for further policy development. As the CBM concept is broad and offers numerous interpretations, operational arrangements, such as joint mobile teams, hot pursuit, joint risk management, and targeting centres are not addressed, nor does the paper analyse information exchange systems, in particular the Single Window that forms an intrinsic part of CBM. Instead, the paper focuses on institutional and some practical border arrangements developed in several countries as part of a CBM implementation strategy, and concludes by suggesting areas for further research.