Dennis Ndonga

Customs and border procedures play a pivotal role in influencing the development trajectory of many emerging economies. In locating and operating manufacturing and international trade operations, many corporations often require assurances that their inputs and finished products can be moved seamlessly cross-border, devoid of unnecessary disruptions and obstacles that adversely affect their operations and increase costs. Unfortunately, the cross-border flow of goods in most developing regions is replete with border inefficiency issues that impact not only their direct imports and exports, but also that of transit goods to their landlocked neighbours. This chapter assesses the nature of the customs-related issues impacting trade and transit operations in developing countries, as well as their broader economic impact, and ultimately presents strategic approaches to mitigating these issues.