The Tax and Customs Authority (AT) is an agency of the Ministry of Finance of Portugal with responsibility for taxes, customs duties and other taxes in Portugal, as well as those related to the control of the EU border.
Challenge
Structuring the reorganization of “shopping tourism” and computerizing tax-free procedures in Portugal to prevent fraud and increase trust and transparency for users.
Technology Solutions
A Java-based system to support the lifecycle of “Tax Free” operations in Portugal by establishing real-time electronic communications between sales points (stores), airports, ports, and the Tax Authority (AT), simplifying operations and enabling strict fraud control.
This is a system that supports the life cycle of “Tax Free” operations entirely in Portugal, by establishing real-time electronic communications with the Tax Authority (AT), from sales points (stores) to Airports and Ports and exits from Portuguese territory.
This project allowed to structure the reorganisation of the entire line of “shopping tourism”, stimulating and contributing to Portugal’s international projection and putting the country, particularly the tax administration, in a modern, leading position in this market.
Operations could be simplified and mechanisms could be created for a strict fraud control by the AT, creating increased trust and transparency for users in a useful, secure and effective way.
With this system, Portugal has become the 5th country in the European Union to computerise tax-free procedures and the first country to associate purchase invoices to passports, making the country an increasingly competitive destination when it comes to extra-community shopping.
