Equity Issues in Public Examinations in Developing Countries

World Bank Discussion Paper No. 278. Examines the experiences of preshipment inspection services in user countries by exploring the operations and potential benefits of the services and makes recommendations for improving their effectiveness. Many governments have contracted preshipment inspection (PSI) services to address problems associated with the over- and under-invoicing of trade transactions, tariff misclassifications, shortfalls in revenue collections from trade taxes, and the management of funds for balance of payments support. The emphasis in recent years has fallen on revenue-related issues. This study analyzes PSI services from the perspective of user governments. The study concludes that many governments have failed to take full advantage of the service and discusses how greater benefits can be gained. The realization of these benefits depends on how PSI contracts are designed, the demands that are made on PSI companies, and the use that governments make of the information generated through the service. The author finds that PSI provides a temporary solution to problems that require attention at their source. The study argues that adequate modernization and training programs for customs services should be established by any government that contracts PSI services.Greaney, Vincent is the author of 'Equity Issues in Public Examinations in Developing Countries' with ISBN 9780821331217 and ISBN 0821331213.