**Customs Agents Raise Concerns Over Ongoing Issues with Automated Import System**
Ten months after its implementation, the Automated Import System (AIS) is still facing significant challenges, according to the Cyprus Customs Agents Association. On Tuesday, the association’s head, Christos Akaros, expressed frustration over the system's persistent technical malfunctions, outages, and delays, which have adversely affected customs operations.
Akaros highlighted that these ongoing issues have resulted in prolonged customs clearance times, leading to increased storage costs and delays in deliveries. He noted that the average customs clearance time has tripled since the AIS was launched, creating a ripple effect throughout the supply chain. "The poor planning, the wrong priorities, and the inadequate management of the project prior to its implementation have left customs agents, shipping agents, and freight forwarders navigating an electronic maze," he stated.
The AIS was designed to streamline the import process, but Akaros indicated that both software and design flaws, along with inadequate programming and project management, have hindered its effectiveness. While the system adheres to relevant legislation, it has failed to deliver the practical results that were anticipated. Akaros pointed out that the burden of data entry falls heavily on customs agents, who are responsible for 85% of the information input, while shipping agents and freight forwarders account for 10%, and the customs department itself only contributes 5%.
Akaros criticized the decision-making process that led to the system's specifications, noting that the association was not consulted during its development. "When the primary users and front-line operators are not meaningfully involved from the outset, problems that are overlooked during the specification phase surface later in production," he explained. He emphasized that rectifying these issues after implementation is often more costly and time-consuming.
Despite the association's efforts to address these concerns, including submitting a detailed list of technical and practical issues along with recommendations for improvements in October 2025, many of the problems remain unresolved. Akaros urged for a reevaluation of the project's management and a more collaborative approach in the future to ensure that the needs of customs agents and other stakeholders are adequately addressed.
As the situation stands, the ongoing challenges with the AIS continue to put pressure on customs operations and the overall efficiency of the import process in Cyprus. The association's call for urgent attention to these issues reflects a growing concern among customs agents and importers about the sustainability and effectiveness of the current system.