EXBS Program

EXBS (Export Control and Related Border Security) Programs has been and continues to be one of the key partners of the Albanian Customs Service in supporting our efforts to improve border control and prevent the movement of risky goods, in particular of dual and radioactive goods.

Within this Program, the Customs Administration has cooperated over the years thanks to the assistance of EXBS Regional Adviser, Christopher J. Milam and Mrs. Vilma Guri, Program Coordinator EXBS in Albania.

This program over the years has donated to the Customs Administration various equipments, especially for law enforcement structures such as new vehicles for the Antismuggling Units, inspection stes and tool bags for border control of the vehicles, baggage scanners for the Border Branches, etc.

EXBS has also contributed to increase the representation of the Customs Service in international activities (international conferences and regional and international training activities) focusing in the control of dual-use goods, including in particular those for the control of radioactive substances and it has organized during years several trainings for the customs staff.

The topics covered by the trainings developed with the support of the EXBS Program have been as follows:

• Terrorism and weapons of mass destruction;
• Awareness of the dissemination of weapons of mass destruction;
• Targeting of Risk Management;
• X-ray image analysis;
• Awareness of Chemical and Biological Materials;
• Use of computer control tools;
• Preventing Illegal Passage of Radioactive and Nuclear Goods;
• Basics of strategic control;
• Training on seizing smuggled goods at airports;
• Training on CT-40 equipment and their use;
• Training on the use of control equipment;
• Border Inspection of different types: persons or vehicles.

EXBS Program Assistance has enabled:

Awareness of customs personnel on the importance of security controls at border crossing points, including the central structures for planning the activities and investments that contribute to the increase the security of border controls at the border.

Enhancing the cooperation with other law enforcement institutions, such as the Border Police, the State Export Control Authority (AKSHE), the Radiation Protection Office and the Institute of Nuclear Applied Physics through the increase of number of contacts, exchange of information, MoU signing for inter-institutional cooperation and active participation in processes that increase security for the country's borders.