CHSCM 3.0 - Unit 1 - SCM in the Humanitarian World

We also need to recognize that goods supplied by donors, and in particular goods collected by
appeals, may sometimes not be suitable for the particular humanitarian operation. This can lead to
unsuitable goods being pushed into the supply chain which can then take up space in vehicles and
warehouses or take up valuable time of people working in the supply chain. This can then have an
impact on the ability to store and move suitable goods through the supply chain to the beneficiaries.
Customs and excise departments are responsible for enforcing country rules on the import and
export of goods and in processing the appropriate documentation. The speed with which they
process the documentation can have a significant impact on how quickly goods can be unloaded
and then released from ports, airports, and country borders. Customs may, for various reasons,
also physically examine goods, including counting and inspecting goods, which can increase the time
before goods are released.
Port and airport authorities can also have an impact on the way goods are managed through ports
and airports, particularly on the time taken for goods to be unloaded. The authorities will determine
the number of people and the resources available at the facilities and on the order in which goods
are unloaded.
As well as time, the actions of customs and port authorities can also affect the cost of operating the
supply chain, as extra costs can be incurred by goods held up at ports and even being sold to
recover any customs costs that are outstanding.
A key part of the supply chain process is the movement of goods internationally, and in particular
the importing of goods into countries where the humanitarian organization is operating. Countries
will have specific customs procedures that need to be followed and documentation that must be
completed when importing goods into the country. They will also have strict rules and regulations
about which goods can be imported into the country.
Countries will also have specific rules, regulations, customs procedures, and documentation when
exporting goods out of the country.
Not understanding and following a country’s rules and regulations can have significant
consequences on the performance of the supply chain including:
• Cost: increased costs incurred by not clearing customs, unloading goods, and moving goods
from the port or airport as quickly as possible
• Penalties and fines that will be imposed for not following rules and regulations or not
moving goods from the port or airport in the time agreed
• Delays in moving the goods from the port or airport, which delays movement of goods to
the operation and ultimately the beneficiaries