Customs Code of Republic of Albania4. In order to guarantee <strong>the</strong> observance of <strong>the</strong>provisions established <strong>by</strong> this Code and o<strong>the</strong>rrules whose application is a duty of <strong>the</strong>customs authorities, <strong>the</strong> customs officersexercise control on any goods, means oftransport, and passengers crossing <strong>the</strong> customsline in <strong>the</strong> customs areas and along <strong>the</strong> landand sea borderline, <strong>the</strong> inland waterways andin airspace which are under customssurveillance. With a view to more efficientcontrols, customs authorities may signagreements with Albanian or <strong>for</strong>eign, public orprivate organizations, <strong>for</strong> exchangingin<strong>for</strong>mation in this field.5. At <strong>the</strong> land and sea border crossing pointsand in <strong>the</strong> airports, as well as at <strong>the</strong> exit of <strong>the</strong>inland customs offices shall be organized <strong>the</strong>control of <strong>the</strong> goods and means of transportleaving <strong>the</strong> customs areas, in order to verify<strong>the</strong> con<strong>for</strong>mity of <strong>the</strong> quantity and quality of<strong>the</strong> goods transported with <strong>the</strong> customs<strong>document</strong>s accompanying <strong>the</strong>m. If <strong>the</strong>re arenot any differences, <strong>the</strong> customs officerscharged with such service will put on <strong>the</strong>customs <strong>document</strong>s <strong>the</strong> stamp that shows <strong>the</strong>irregularity. O<strong>the</strong>rwise, <strong>the</strong>y will draw up <strong>the</strong>appropriate written report, which will besubmitted, to <strong>the</strong> Head of <strong>the</strong> customs office<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>for</strong>malities.6. When necessary, such service will becarried out <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> customs authorities, alsothrough controls of <strong>the</strong> means of transportalong <strong>the</strong> roads, where such means move. Insuch a case, <strong>the</strong> customs officers, to whom <strong>the</strong>service of stopping <strong>the</strong> vehicles <strong>has</strong> <strong>been</strong>assigned, must make use of <strong>the</strong> appropriateroad sign <strong>provided</strong> <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Directorate Generalof Customs and must show to <strong>the</strong> driver <strong>the</strong>iridentity card. In case of irregularities, <strong>the</strong>customs officers will escort <strong>the</strong> vehicle to <strong>the</strong>nearest customs office, where <strong>the</strong>y will drawup <strong>the</strong> appropriate written report, which will besubmitted to <strong>the</strong> Head of <strong>the</strong> customs office <strong>for</strong><strong>the</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r <strong>for</strong>malities.7. With a view to ensuring <strong>the</strong> implementationof <strong>the</strong> customs legislation and o<strong>the</strong>r normativeacts, <strong>the</strong> implementation of which is entitled to<strong>the</strong> customs, Customs Authorities may, carryout all <strong>the</strong> necessary controls at <strong>the</strong> premises of<strong>the</strong> declarant or any o<strong>the</strong>r person, involveddirectly or indirectly in <strong>the</strong> release of goods, inaccordance with <strong>the</strong> Implementing Provisionsof this Code.8. When o<strong>the</strong>r authorities, operating in <strong>the</strong>customs territory of <strong>the</strong> Republic of Albania,have suspicions or become aware ofin<strong>for</strong>mation concerning violations of <strong>the</strong>provisions of this Code, its ImplementingProvisions or o<strong>the</strong>r normative acts whoseapplication is assigned to <strong>the</strong> customs, <strong>the</strong>yshall in<strong>for</strong>m immediately <strong>the</strong> customs officecompetent <strong>for</strong> that territory. The latter willcarry out all <strong>the</strong> appropriate verifications and<strong>for</strong>malities, including notification of <strong>the</strong>judicial authorities, according to <strong>the</strong>procedures <strong>provided</strong> <strong>for</strong> in Title VIII of thisCode.9. Where <strong>the</strong>re are reasonable doubts on trafficof drugs, arms, or o<strong>the</strong>r crimes of economic orfinancial character, <strong>the</strong> competent policeauthorities may stop <strong>the</strong> vehicles that aresubject of <strong>the</strong> customs <strong>for</strong>malities and sealed<strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> customs authorities. In this case, <strong>the</strong>means of transport shall be accompanied to <strong>the</strong>nearest customs office territorially competent,where <strong>the</strong> seal will be removed and where <strong>the</strong>above mentioned police authorities in <strong>the</strong>presence of <strong>the</strong> customs authorities may carryout all <strong>the</strong> controls deemed necessary. Theseauthorities in collaboration with <strong>the</strong> customsauthorities shall prepare <strong>the</strong> written report andlodge it with <strong>the</strong> judicial authorities, if it is <strong>the</strong>case, in accordance with <strong>the</strong> provisions of <strong>the</strong>Criminal Procedure Code.Article 12(Territorial competence)1. Except <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> cases of <strong>for</strong>ce majeure dulycertified, and except <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> transit procedureand release of goods <strong>for</strong> free circulation, <strong>the</strong>customs declaration must be presented at <strong>the</strong>competent customs offices of <strong>the</strong> locationwhere <strong>the</strong> person is situated.2. The Director General, in derogation from<strong>the</strong> rule laid down in <strong>the</strong> previous paragraph,when <strong>the</strong> circumstances require <strong>the</strong> applicationof specific controls, may decide that <strong>the</strong>\\Ds2\admin\Kareem - Online Library Rebuild (Do <strong>Not</strong> Delete)\Pending\Albania\Customs Code of Albania (eng).doc
Customs Code of Republic of Albaniacustoms <strong>for</strong>malities regarding some categoriesof goods may be concentrated at <strong>the</strong> bordercrossing office, or at one or more inlandcustoms offices.3. The Heads of <strong>the</strong> customs houses, when <strong>the</strong>needs of <strong>the</strong> trade so require and upon requestof <strong>the</strong> person concerned, may allow some of<strong>the</strong> customs controls be carried out at <strong>the</strong>premises of <strong>the</strong> declarant, or in o<strong>the</strong>r placesproposed <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>m, which are deemed suitableto per<strong>for</strong>m all <strong>the</strong> necessary controls <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>customs authorities. The Director General ofCustoms, taking into account <strong>the</strong> hours spent<strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> control and <strong>the</strong> distance of <strong>the</strong> premisesfrom <strong>the</strong> customs office, shall establish <strong>the</strong>costs of <strong>the</strong> above said service, which shall becharged to <strong>the</strong> declarant.Section 3Organization chart, employment andworking interrelations of CustomsAdministration personnelArticle 13(Chart organization and salaries)1. Within 15 days from <strong>the</strong> entry into <strong>for</strong>ce ofthis Code, <strong>the</strong> Council of Ministers, uponproposal of <strong>the</strong> Minister of Finance, shallestablish <strong>the</strong> organization chart of <strong>the</strong> customsadministration in order to guarantee, on onehand, <strong>the</strong> protection of <strong>the</strong> fiscal interests of<strong>the</strong> Republic of Albania, and on <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r handan organization suitable to <strong>the</strong> dynamism and<strong>the</strong> peculiarity of <strong>the</strong> customs activity. TheDirector General of Customs shall take all <strong>the</strong>measures <strong>for</strong> appointing <strong>the</strong> personnel in <strong>the</strong>central and local offices.2. In <strong>the</strong> organization chart <strong>the</strong> personnel,depending to <strong>the</strong> proper tasks is divided intohigh level officials, senior customs officers,and o<strong>the</strong>r customs personnel, as categorized in<strong>the</strong> Implementing Provisions of this Code.3. The tasks and functions assigned to <strong>the</strong>a<strong>for</strong>ementioned categories, as well as <strong>the</strong>promotion procedures, are laid down in <strong>the</strong>Implementing Provisions of this Code.4. The Council of Ministers within 15 daysfrom <strong>the</strong> date when this Code comes in <strong>for</strong>ce,determines <strong>the</strong> salary level <strong>for</strong> each category of<strong>the</strong> personnel <strong>provided</strong> <strong>for</strong> in <strong>the</strong> ImplementingProvisions of this Code in accordance with <strong>the</strong>legislation in <strong>for</strong>ce.Article 14(Personnel issues)1. The Director General of Customs isappointed upon decision of <strong>the</strong> Council ofMinisters, upon proposal of <strong>the</strong> Minister ofFinance. The Deputy General Directors ofCustoms are appointed <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Minister ofFinance upon proposal of <strong>the</strong> Director Generalof Customs, in accordance with employingprovisions of this Code.2. The personnel of <strong>the</strong> CustomsAdministration, with exception of <strong>the</strong> auxiliarypersonnel, is employed through public test,according to <strong>the</strong> procedures established <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>law “For <strong>the</strong> Civil Service” and itsimplementing provisions, as well as <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>Implementing Provisions of this Code ando<strong>the</strong>r specific provisions regulating <strong>the</strong>functioning of <strong>the</strong> Directorate General ofCustoms.3. The auxiliary personnel are employed on anominal basis <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Director General ofCustoms.Article 15(Administration of income and incentives)1. The Directorate General of Customs isgiven, besides <strong>the</strong> incomes referred to inArticle 296 of this Code, 2% of <strong>the</strong> annualcustoms income to be used <strong>for</strong> investments,improvement of <strong>the</strong> working and livingconditions of <strong>the</strong> Customs Administrationpersonnel, as well as rewards to <strong>the</strong> latter.2. Without prejudice to all rules in <strong>for</strong>cerelating to <strong>the</strong> pubic employees, considering<strong>the</strong> peculiarity of <strong>the</strong> work per<strong>for</strong>med, as wellas <strong>the</strong> difficulties faced while carrying on <strong>the</strong>irtasks, <strong>the</strong> personnel of <strong>the</strong> CustomsAdministration may be conferred an incentive\\Ds2\admin\Kareem - Online Library Rebuild (Do <strong>Not</strong> Delete)\Pending\Albania\Customs Code of Albania (eng).doc