CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Generally a tracking system is used for the observing of persons or objects on the move and supplying a timely ordered sequence of respective location data to a model. Information technology is an essential tool to importation tracking. The faster and more effectively it works, the safer our business management is.
Information system (IS) refers to a system that comprises of persons, data records and activities that process data and information in an organization, and it includes the organizations manual and automated processes. In a narrow sense, the term information system refers to the specific application software that is used to store data records in a computer system and automates some of the information processing activities of the organization.
The term information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term has become very recognizable. The information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information database. Since the first wave of computerization in the 1970’s, the implementation of information technology within policing has been questioned and often met with resistance. The development of an information technology strategy must be viewed in the context of increasing expectations and pressure for reform within organizations. The business environment in which transportation operate is changing; increased demands for efficiency has led to information technology being recognized as a valuable and innovative addition to goods tracking system.
Over the last decade, computer and telecommunication technologies have developed at an extraordinary rate. Increased computer power, advances in data transmission, attractive and user-friendly graphic interfaces present shipping ports with unprecedented capacity to collect, store, analyze and share data with stakeholders inside and outside of ports.
Historically, the innovation of information systems has served as the catalyst for dramatic changes in the organization work and has presented both opportunities and challenges to operators.Some ports have made tremendous efforts in creating databases for guest information system for security purposes.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The manual and recurrent procedures of working could bring about errors and reduced productivity and goods are entered and the amount of duty payable must be calculated to the penny, since they are market and prone to error and fractions of a penny being disregarded. Customers as a result of eagerness would prefer that their goods cleared on time but since they are so many activities involved there is delay in the processing and items may be mixed up during numbering and duly roles allocated for identical items. The storage method of information such as and other important documents can easily be cost hence attracting distrust of the agency by the client.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The aim of this study is to design and implement importation tracking system
The objectives of this study are:      
To improve the time constraint during clearance of arrived goods.
To provide for security and control are provided
To reduce the popular problem of items being mixed up in terms of code numbering, and duty rates allocated for identical items.
1.4 Scope Of The Study
This study is cantered on how to computerize the import duty processing system. It is restricted only to shipping company system operation.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The software developed will be beneficial to the ports importation management in so many ways:
1. Maintain a centralized database for
2. Retrieve previous information on client from the system easily using serial query language
3. Have a good  surveillance  on  the  client goods and  information  for  security purposes
4. Know the number of goods they receive on daily basis
1.6 Limitation of the Study
Usually, every work some limitation and study is not exempted. The two major limitation of the study are the high programming technique as well as financial constraint. The high programming technique constraint is Visual basic and Ms access prevent the researcher to have in depth study and analysis of the subject matter. While the issue of the financial constraint limits of the frequency of investigation to/fro the organisation toward gathering the necessary information relevant for the study. 
1.7 Definition Of Terms
Cargo –       This is equivalent to the term ‘goods’ which includes shipment records.
Carriage – This is equivalent to the term transportation as a movement of goods.
Forwarding agent – This is also known as FREIGHT AGENT, a carrier employee, who receives, forwards or delivers goods or who represents or directs locally the freight functions of a carrier.
Agent –       A person who has authority to express or implied to act on behalf of another.
Rotation number- A number allocated by the department of customs and exercise to every vessel entering into a port.
Data –         With reference to this project it includes basic facts to be used for counting and for the provision of useful information.
Shipment- This is equivalent to the term consignment and refers to pieces of bundles of cargo accepted by the carrier from one shipper at one time and at one address, receipted for in the shipment record.
Shipper – This is equivalent to the term consign or and refers to the person whose name appears on the party contracting with the carrier for the carriage of cargo.
Consignee- This is the person whose name appears on the shipment record as the part to whom the shipment is to be delivered.
Port – This is or shelter for ships.
Vessel – This is a ship for transport by water.
Bill of lading – This is an acknowledgment by a carrier that he has received the goods for shipment.
Days – This means the full calendar days, including sunders and legal holidays provided that for purposes of notification, the balance of days upon which notice is dispatched shall not be counted.
Freight – Cargo of goods handled by a bulk common carrier of some kind, such as roil, truck or stream ship line. Freight is usually thought of as more of bulky good and less-perishable through goods shipped by other means, such as express or parcel post in general where delivery is considered less argent.
Wharf – A landing-stage built along the shore for landing or unhanding vessels.
Customs duty – This is the right of duty payable by customs tariff act that is in force at the time of the delivery or carnival of import entry to the proper officer.