What is your organization’s core expertise, and what unique knowledge, technology, or capabilities do you bring to CustomAI?
The Customs and Excise Department is the competent Branch of the State Tax Administration Agency (AEAT) in Spain. As such, AEAT is the National Competent Authority with State delegation to implement the National Taxation System across all territory, including national or regional administrations and other public entities, as well as collecting customs duties and financial resources on behalf of the EU.
Customs duties include the collection of import/export taxes and special taxes (alcohol, cigarettes, environmental, etc.) and, among other responsibilities, the fight against smuggling, counterfeiting, illicit trade, money laundering, and fraud.
In the context of drug trafficking and cargo containers in a Customs Area (such as the Port of Valencia), AEAT is the primary Customs Authority in the port.
The Radiological Control Area of Spanish Customs oversees the installation and operational management of all scanning systems deployed across Spain’s ports and airports. It centralizes X-ray images obtained from cargo containers, parcels, and human bodies. Through its image-analysis center, CESCAN, specialists collect and interpret scan data to identify illicit goods, concealed substances, or any form of contraband. The Area ensures that all scanning procedures follow unified national and international protocols, continuously develops new detection methodologies, and integrates the latest non-intrusive detection technologies available on the market. By combining advanced equipment with expert analysis, the Area strengthens Spain’s capability to secure its borders and protect international trade flows.
Working closely with the operational Spanish Customs Surveillance teams at the Port of Valencia, the Area helps define key requirements and identify the principal risks faced at this critical hub. Together, they contribute directly to the development and implementation of the specific use case for Valencia.
What is your specific role in the project, and what is the single most exciting outcome you hope to achieve with the results of CustomAI?
As end users, our main role is to:
- Determine and communicate the real operational needs of Spanish Customs in a port environment.
- Define the key risks Spanish Customs faces.
- Assess how well the Port of Valencia use case aligns with the operational and logistical conditions of the facilities.
If you had to summarise your organization’s enthusiasm for this project in one sentence, what would it be?
“Spanish Customs is fully committed to contributing its expertise and operational know-how to the project, working alongside all partners to ensure that the objectives set by CustomAI are successfully achieved.”
