To assist customs in their modernisation efforts and in enhancing their effectiveness, testing, inspection and certification company Cotecna offers an integrated platform of specifically designed technology based services named ValueQuest.

Integrated within customs operations and operated by a dedicated, specifically selected and trained unit, ValueQuest enables customs to safeguard the integrity of their classification, valuation and audit processes – taking full advantage of a modern risk management engine that offers an optimised balance between trade facilitation and revenue protection.

From nonintrusive inspection solutions with the deployment of state-of-the-art scanner facilities to transit monitoring and cargo tracking services, Cotecna is able to support authorities in their efforts to secure customs revenue collection, combat fraud and smuggling, comply with the prevailing international regulations and guidelines and address ports and in-land border posts congestion.

The Switzerland-headquartered Cotecna has two subsidiaries in South Africa – CoalLab and Cotecna Inspection South Africa.

CoalLab was established in 2007 and provides services to the mining, exploration and utilisation industries. In addition to providing run-of-the-mill sampling and analysis, two CoalLab laboratory facilities provide complementary consultancy and innovative advanced technical solutions including sampling, sizing and analysis; on-site laboratory management; coal projects characterisation and liberation and geological core and exploration analysis.

Cotecna Inspection South Africa was established in 1995 and provides inspection, valuation and certification services. Cotecna Inspection South Africa performs detailed physical inspection, documentary check and investigation, tariff classification, valuation assistance, duties and tax calculation as well as certifications of final documents.