Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2004.The World Customs Organisation (WCO) predicted that the 21st century will bring with it major
challenges. The former Commissioner of the United States Customs, Raymond, W, Kelly also
remarked in the symposium for the America's 2000, a common dilemma for customs will be how
to manage the "exploding volumes", of trade with declining or static resources. Globalisation has
brought with it an influx of international trade. Production facilities being spread over different
continents creating one virtual market place. This has brought about the need for increased Trade
facilitation. Customs being the major role player in the supply chain process needs to provide
efficient and effective release of cargo while at the same time ensure that it eradicates smuggling
and protects its fiscal base. This responsibility that customs authorities are placed in makes it
impossible to conduct high levels of physical interventions, as a result this has created a need for
the use of a more strategic tool. The Risk Management Model is such a tool which if used
effectively can provide value to Customs as well as the client's, it serves