Application of Artificial Intelligence Technology in the Supervision of Customs Clearance Machine Inspection

The customs service plays a crucial role in keeping threats that endanger national security and social stability outside a country’s borders. However, illegal infiltration at the ports of entry is becoming more diverse and covert in its methods, which poses a greater challenge in effectively defending and controlling both traditional and non-traditional security threats. Additionally, with the intensification of competition in international trade and economic cooperation, and the growing demand for a better quality of life, enterprises are striving for fair competition, reduced trade costs and assurance of trade quality. This has resulted in a conflict between the goals of ‘supervision’ and ‘facilitation’. To address these challenges and improve customs operations, Customs should consider incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to develop ‘intelligent customs clearance and inspection’ methods. This study analyses the current deployment status and effectiveness of ‘intelligent customs inspection’ (ICI) in China, using it as a case study to highlight the need for innovative practices in customs clearance inspection supervision and to explore the future direction of ICI. The study demonstrates that the application of innovative intelligent technology practices could substantially improve the efficiency of customs clearance inspection.