Challenge
The Independent Authority for Public Revenue needed a modern system to combat smuggling and enhance monitoring of goods subject to Excise Duties (E.F.K.), including petroleum, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and consumption taxes (e.g., coffee, electronic cigarettes). The system also had to manage commercial vehicles and containers, ensuring real-time tracking, seamless communication across agencies, and data-driven decision-making. The existing approach lacked automation, real-time data-sharing, and advanced risk detection, making it difficult to prevent illicit trade and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Key Considerations
- Interoperability & Integration: The system needed to ensure smooth communication between multiple government entities while maintaining data security and compliance with interoperability standards.
- Real-time Risk Analysis: The ability to process vast amounts of real-time data from sensors and peripheral systems and apply advanced analytics for identifying high-risk shipments was crucial.
- Automation & Efficiency: The project required an automated framework for data collection, classification, and threat detection to reduce manual intervention and improve response times.
- Regulatory Compliance: The solution needed to align with national and EU regulations on taxation, customs control, and data security.
Approach
To meet these objectives, the PLANET team developed and implemented two critical subsystems:
Integration
The Integration Subsystem was designed to provide flexible interoperability mechanisms, supporting APIs, web services, and secure data exchange protocols. Specifically, it enables:
- Management of available data retrieval per Interoperability Entity.
- Dynamic communication with external systems, such as the Hellenic Police passport control system and the vehicle registration systems of the Ministry of Transport.
- Integration with banking payment systems and other government services for automated data access.
Risk Analysis Subsystem
The Risk Analysis Subsystem was designed to:
- Process real-time data from sensors and peripheral systems.
- Utilize data analysis algorithms to score and classify risks.
- Generate alerts for suspicious activities and suggest countermeasures.
Results & Impact
The project is currently on going.
With the implementation of the Integration Subsystem, the system gains the ability to securely and reliably communicate with third-party systems, improving the accuracy and speed of decision-making.
Additionally, with the Risk Analysis Subsystem, management authorities gain tools for more effective monitoring of cargo flows and the prevention of unlawful activities, enhancing the overall security of the system.
By equipping authorities with cutting-edge technology, this initiative is reshaping customs monitoring, enhancing public revenue protection, and creating a more secure trade environment.
