Corruption remains a major factor in clearing products through customs.  Guinea launched a one-stop-shop online portal to facilitate foreign trade, called the Guichet Unique du Commerce Exterieur, in September 2019.  This portal digitizes commercial transaction management, facilitates customs declarations submission, and provides certifications and authorizations for imports and exports.  After customs declaration and prior to clearance, importers must verify the value of goods imported.  Following valuation, customs issue a bill for duties owed, which must be wired directly to the Central Bank, available since August 2020, or to a local commercial bank via the portal, available since November 2020.  With the virtual bank receipt, merchandise can be cleared through customs virtually via the portal.  A variety of local shipping agents are available to assist virtually with this process and with the warehousing of incoming goods.