Criticism on the current situation at border crossings
2003/06/26, ČESMAD BOHEMIA criticizes current situation at border crossings
The worsening situation surrounding the clearing of goods from trucks at border crossings is a recent trend that is causing serious problems for all Czech carriers. This deterioration lies in the sharp rise in waiting times for clearance and the reduction in professionalism of specific customs officers who directly perform the service. Another problem is the lack of staff on certain shifts, which does not meet the capacity demands of specific border crossings or the volume of transported goods. (One concrete example is the border crossing at Rozvadov. Here even ordinary citizens who pass through this road crossing can easily see that the passenger customs office has a capacity of 3–4 throughway lanes but only one is in operation). Such a trend – one year before joining the EU – rather turns us away from the European Union and is a disgrace to the Czech Republic.
The consequences of this worsening state of affairs is the serious threat to the profitability of transport companies, which ensure a critical part of goods transport in foreign trade, as well as the worsening foreign trade situation in general. According to estimates of ČESMAD BOHEMIA – the Association of Automobile Carriers, because of this worsening situation, about 18–21 % of transport capacity is blocked. In practical terms this means that a truck today will wait in line at the border two days per month more than in past years.
Nor can we ignore the social aspect, for long waiting times at borders result in catastrophic hygiene conditions due to drivers exposed to this humanly undignified situation.
What is the cause? In our opinion it is the lack of emphasis and systematic state administration (General Customs Directorate – GCD) in taking restructuring measures associated with preparing for EU accession. This approach (GCD) results in existential insecurity of customs officers who then leave to enter civil service (and unfortunately mostly the competent ones). This is the main cause of the lack of personnel directly performing this service as well as the poor quality of professionalism of customs administration officers.
ČESMAD BOHEMIA – About the organisation
ČESMAD Bohemia – the Association of Automobile Carriers is the most representative and largest association of transporters, working in both domestic and international freight and passenger road transport. At present the association includes nearly 2,000 business with more than 20,000 vehicles, which represents over 80% of transport capacity on the international transport market. ČESMAD BOHEMIA is a member of the International Road Transport Union - IRU headquartered in Geneva.
ČESMAD BOHEMIA provides comprehensive services to auto transporters enabling them to do business in this field and defends their interests in relation to state administration and internationally. For its members and the transport public it is a source of information, monitoring legislative conditions and the current state of affairs on European roads.
Martin Špryňar
General secretary
ČESMAD BOHEMIA