The systematic simplification and end-to-end digitalisation of FOCBS processes formally began with the launch of the DaziT programme on 1 January 2018 and will be completed by the end of 2026.
Initial results
In the first four years of the DaziT programme, the FOCBS was able to put around 20 mobile apps, other applications and basic IT services into operation.
New smartphone apps enable digital customs clearance for tourist traffic (QuickZoll), mobile payment of the lump-sum heavy vehicle charge (Via, recognised as the best Swiss app of 2019) and the automatic activation of customs declarations when crossing the border (Activ and Periodic). Furthermore, thanks to internal apps, FOCBS employees can make more efficient queries regarding checks, collect receipts on the move and sign in and out of work via smartphone. This significantly increases the security and effectiveness of operations.
The digital services of the FOCBS are gradually being launched in ePortal. Registration and user management are based on the self-care principle – at any time and from anywhere. Thanks to DaziT, the master data is now managed on a central platform (SAP MDG), which is an important preliminary step in the renewal of the nationwide SAP systems (SUPERB project).
The first elements of the new Passar goods traffic system have been implemented in commercial goods traffic. The accompanying document and e-com and Chartera Output applications allow contactless interaction with customs. Since autumn 2021, the FOCBS has been the first customs authority in Europe to test the use of telematics for fully automated activation of customs declarations at the border. It uses existing interfaces from fleet management systems for this.
The digitalisation of the collection of levies is also progressing. Beer taxation has been almost completely implemented electronically with Biera. Connection to the European toll system EETS is the first stage in the complete overhaul of the HVC collection system. The progressive automation of the collection of transport levies represents a significant contribution to making border crossings quicker.
Risk analysis is improved through participation in the European Import Control System 2. With the introduction of ICS2 in postal traffic, customs data in online trade is already transmitted upon dispatch from third countries.
Agile implementation
The FOCBS is consistently applying agile methods to implement the DaziT programme. Since summer 2019, the SAFe framework model has been used for overarching coordination. The projects described in the DaziT special dispatch of 2017 were each assigned to a value stream.
In these value streams, the specialist representatives define the needs from the user's point of view (so-called epics), the overarching prioritisation takes place in the FOCBS portfolio, and implementation finally takes place in the so-called Agile Release Train (ART). The ART called «Acziun» (Romansh for movement), which is the DaziT «software factory», currently consists of 14 teams that meet every ten weeks for a two-day Program Increment (PI) planning event.
The five value streams of the FOCBS
Receipts
Security and border crossing
Intervention
Risk analysis and analytics
Shared Services
The FOCBS wishes to accelerate the flow of goods, reduce regulatory costs for the economy and enable more targeted controls. To this end, it is simplifying the processes for the movement of goods (freight) and for the collection of domestic levies (tobacco duty and beer, spirits and mineral oil tax) and then digitalising them from end to end. The core system is the new, uniform goods traffic system called Passar, which is being developed and rolled out in stages in close cooperation with the business community and the European partner authorities.
The receipts value stream includes the components of the redesign freight/taxes and duties project set out in the DaziT special dispatch
of 2017.
Already rolled out
- Biera is used for digital beer tax declarations.
- Activ and Periodic are used for the automatic activation of goods when crossing the border.
- E-Begleitdokument and E-Com enable contactless interaction between those declaring goods and the customs office.
- EETS connects Switzerland to the pan-European electronic toll service.
- QuickZoll enables private goods in tourist traffic to be cleared through customs.
- Via allows for the mobile payment of the lump-sum heavy vehicle charge.
In progress
- Passar is the new application for freight and the collection of levies; it will cover all import, export, transit and special customs clearance processes, as well as those for the collection of levies.
- Replacement of the performance-related HVC system for domestic lorries.
- Telematic is a technical solution that enables automatic activation of customs declarations when crossing the border in road transport.
- Camiuns covers all services for the collection of the performance-based heavy vehicle fee (HVF). These are: 1. the national electronic toll service (NETS), 2. the European electronic toll service (EETS was introduced in Switzerland in 2020 for foreign registered vehicles); development in independent project with own Confluence page and 3. the national manual toll service (NMTS).
The FOCBS intends to improve security for people crossing the border and to more effectively combat illegal entry, exit and transit, illegal residence and identity fraud. To achieve this, a new border control system will be introduced, the Schengen Information System will be further developed and the national radio network Polycom will be upgraded. Aside from new software solutions, this will also lead to new hardware procurements.
The activities of the security and border crossing value stream result largely from further developments of Schengen/Dublin and are only partially reflected in the DaziT special dispatch of 2017 (ICT basis project).
Already rolled out
- Afis@mobile (internal) enables employees to carry out mobile fingerprint checks via smartphone
In progress
- The new border control system replaces the previous eneXs system and includes specific hardware such as passport checking devices, fingerprint readers and facial image recognition tools.
- The Schengen Information System will be further developed with the Entry/Exit System (EES), which makes it possible to electronically record the entry and exit of non-EU/EFTA nationals (so-called third-country nationals).
- Automated passport control at the Schengen external borders will be expanded with ABC gates. The FOCBS is working closely with the Zurich cantonal police on this.
The FOCBS wishes to equip the operational deployment staff members in the Operations and Prosecution directorates with efficient and mobile digital tools. The intervention value stream focuses on the digitalisation of processes and the replacement of existing systems in the areas of deployment and control, reporting and investigation, and prosecution.
The activities of the intervention value stream are essentially derived from the ICT basis and control and findings projects set out in the DaziT special dispatch.
Already rolled out
- Mobile Responder (internal) is used by operational staff members for mobile duty sign-on, status change and duty sign-off using a smartphone.
In progress
- Inspecziun (internal) helps operational staff members to select the items to be inspected by making system-supported suggestions.
- The new reporting solution (RAFA) will replace the three existing reporting systems with a modern, networked and automated application.
The automatic vehicle search and traffic surveillance (AFV) will be modernised.
The FOCBS intends to use risk analysis and analytics methods and models to produce forward-looking risk analyses and situation assessments, which form the basis for effective and efficient controls. In this way, it will be possible to react even more quickly to current events. International cooperation is also being promoted, focusing on a shared data pool with internal applications for targeted onsite control queries by FOCBS employees.
The activities of the risk analysis and analytics value stream stem mainly from the ICT basis and shared services projects set out in the DaziT special dispatch.
Already rolled out
- Savida (internal) is used to assess the situation and combines entries from the three existing reporting systems.
- Risico (internal) is used to enter risk indicators that generate automatic control recommendations for the operating units.
- Import Control System 2 reflects the stricter international standards for the prior notification of goods from third countries in a new IT system
In progress
- Further development of automated data delivery, data-based evaluation, static and dynamic reporting, visual data mining, business intelligence.
- Rating (internal) enables a classification (or assessment) of the counterpart based on customs assessments and the contractually agreed performance of tasks.
- Situaziun (internal) presents the situation on the ground and from the perspective of the FOCBS. It includes reported events, key figures, risk profiles, situation forecasts and much more.
- Probabel (internal) is used for a more differentiated plausibility check in goods declarations based on probabilities. The counterpart receives advice and support.
- Import Control System 2 (Release 2) is an extension of ICS2 Release 1 and adds another type of traffic, air freight and courier traffic.
The shared services value stream creates basic IT services for the FOCBS, such as document, financial and access services.
The shared services value stream implements projects from the ICT basis, portal and client, and shared services projects of the DaziT special dispatch.
Already rolled out
- ePortal is the gateway to the digital services of the FOCBS and other offices of the Federal Department of Finance.
Connex is used by FOCBS business partners to manage their roles. - SAP MDG is now used for the management of master data, and will be used in the future throughout the Federal Administration (SUPERB programme).
- Chartera allows customs documents to be obtained digitally.
- Agir (internal) is used by FOCBS employees to manage their assigned tasks.
- Cassa (internal) enables mobile and cashless collection (credit and debit card, as well as Postcard and Twint) via smartphone.
In progress
- Input (internal) will replace the E-Begleitdokument application for uploading and transmitting documents.
With the renaming of the FCA as the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS), numerous applications, apps and websites will be updated. - Replacement of the existing stationary cash register system, which will increase mobility and flexibility.
- Optimisation of fleet management, including by means of a digital logbook.
- Provision of a webshop for ordering FOCBS uniforms and personal equipment for employees.
Outlook
The main applications will be put into operation between 2022 and 2025, including:
- the new goods traffic system Passar to replace NCTS and e-dec/e-dec web (2023/2025)
- the new border control system, including the latest Schengen/Dublin refinements (2022/23)
- the new uniform reporting system (2024)
- the next generation system for performance-related HVC collection for domestic lorries (2024).
Coordination with partners and stakeholders
The successful implementation of DaziT requires close coordination with national and international partners. Talks are under way with neighbouring customs administrations and with the European authorities in order to make crossing the border simpler, quicker and, above all, seamless. The focus is on the creation of a digital BorderTicket. Exchanges with companies and business associations take place in the business advisory group and in various working groups. The cantons and security organisations are also regularly informed.
