The first X-ray scanner for checking transports was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Galați-Giurgiulești Customs Office.
In total, Romania will operationalize 26 such devices.
In 2024, 8 more will be placed in the main border points: Siret, Albița, Constanța Nord, Constanța Sud, Isaccea, Halmeu, Sighet, and Moravița.
The non-reimbursable funding (from EU) amounts to 34,060,459 euros, according to a press release from the Ministry of Finance sent to SpotMedia.ro.
The scanners are intended to reduce both fiscal evasion and the trafficking of drugs and dangerous substances at customs points.
The Minister of Finance, Marcel Boloș, announced that the installation of the devices will lead to a decrease in economic crime.
"In particular, we focus on strengthening the fight against smuggling. The introduction of these new scanners represents a strategic move in this regard. They will revolutionize the way we check the contents of transport means, allowing us to carry out faster and more precise inspections.
This technology using artificial intelligence will not only enhance our national security but also contribute to increasing efficiency in combating evasion.
Once we operationalize all 26 scanners in the most important 12 border points in the country, we will cover over 85% of the flow of entries into customs," explained Finance Minister Marcel Boloș, who was present at the inauguration.
"The use of this scanning system will contribute to increasing the level of security of the EU's external border and streamlining the customs authority's control over transport means at border crossings. The use of this system will give the Romanian Customs Authority an advantage in combating smuggling, customs fraud, and will also lead to reducing waiting times at border crossings," stated Marcel Mutescu, President of the Romanian Customs Authority, who also participated in the inauguration.
The benefits of using X-ray scanners in customs control:
- Economy: Contributes to combating customs fraud, thus providing authorities with an efficient way to check the contents of packages or compartments of transport vehicles.
- National security: Enables authorities to detect dangerous objects or substances, such as explosives, weapons, or hazardous chemicals, which could pose a threat to national security.
- Smuggling: Helps identify any prohibited, undeclared, or concealed goods or substances that could be illegally introduced into the country, such as drugs, prohibited weapons, or other restricted goods.
- Environmental protection: Allows the identification of substances or materials that may have a negative impact on the environment and that may be prohibited or restricted.
- Operational efficiency: Faster customs operations by shortening the physical inspection time of each package, container, or means of transport leads to reducing waiting times at border crossings.
Here is where more such scanners are planned to be placed:
- In 2025 - at the customs offices in Giurgiulești, Albița, Constanța Sud, Isaccea, Sighet, Stânca Costești, Oancea.
- In 2026 - at the customs points Constanța Sud, Halmeu, Moravița, Calafat, Nădlac, Borș, Stânca Costești, Porțile de Fier, Petea.