A New Chapter Opens for Customs in the Great North
– The General Customs Administration (AGD) wrote a new page in its vast reform agenda this Wednesday with the official installation of Jean-Claude Clerveau as General Supervisor of Customs offices in the Great North. The ceremony, presided over by Deputy Director General Ronald Beaufils, revealed both a vision, a strategy, and a symbol: that of a seasoned executive called to lead one of the most sensitive areas of the national customs system.
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince · · 4 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
Cap-Haïtien – The General Customs Administration (AGD) wrote a new page in its vast reform agenda this Wednesday with the official installation of Jean-Claude Clerveau as General Supervisor of Customs offices in the Great North.
The ceremony, presided over by Deputy Director General Ronald Beaufils, revealed both a vision, a strategy, and a symbol: that of a seasoned executive called to lead one of the most sensitive areas of the national customs system. In a country facing security, logistical, and economic challenges of unprecedented scale, the appointment of an experienced senior official in the Great North is not a mere administrative act. It is part of a broader restructuring movement initiated by Director General Gérald Remplais, determined to make Customs a modern, coherent, and operational institution. A Critical Role in a Highly Strategic Region From the outset, the Deputy Director General recalled that the Great North is one of the most critical crossroads for legal trade, but also for threats related to illicit trafficking, smuggling, and revenue evasion. “The General Supervisor is not an ordinary civil servant; he is an operational commander, a strategic watchman, and a guarantor of the uniformity of customs actions,” emphasized Mr. Beaufils in his speech. Jean-Claude Clerveau’s mission is vast and demanding: to ensure the cohesion of customs practices; strengthen operational assistance to local offices;
harmonize procedures;
supervise the execution of regulations; guarantee the fluidity of legal trade; intensify the fight against illicit trafficking and fraud; optimize the mobilization of state revenues. While reaffirming the Directorate's confidence in him, Ronald Beaufils insisted on the need to work with loyalty, integrity, and exemplary conduct, three pillars he described as “essential for any executive of this stature.” A Speech of Humility, Vision, and Unity Facing this high responsibility, Jean-Claude Clerveau delivered a deeply institutional speech, tinged with humility, strategic insight, and a vibrant call for administrative unity. In a calm voice, he first thanked the general management for the trust placed in him, before recalling a principle he considers sacred: “The Customs Administration is one and indivisible. Customs does not operate by clan or faction, but by discipline, competence, and a spirit of service.” Recalling his long career, he compared Customs to a “professional family” built on solidarity, respect for the chain of command, and a sense of collective duty. For the Great North, he set three clear priorities:
He concluded with a maritime metaphor that deeply resonated with the audience: “When the ship takes on water, it is not the novices who go down into the holds, but the most seasoned sailors. That is the essence of the customs spirit.” An Experienced Executive Forged by Three Decades of Service Jean-Claude Clerveau’s career, spanning nearly thirty years, represents one of the most structured ascensions within the General Customs Administration. Having joined the institution on August 11, 1995, he successively held command, supervisory, and directorial positions both in the field and at the central headquarters. Academically, his degree in Economic Sciences (UEH) is complemented by technical training in France, notably at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Strasbourg, as well as specialized internships in French airports concerning anti-fraud efforts and operational control. Expected Leadership in a Key Region The Great North, with its ports, border posts, and official or diverted trade routes, remains a crucial area for the country's economic sovereignty.
The arrival of Jean-Claude Clerveau, known for his discipline, method, and field knowledge, is perceived as a strong signal: that of a Customs aiming to regain control, to impose order and uniformity,
and to strengthen its role as a financial pillar of the State. Towards a More Modern, Coherent, and Efficient Customs Jean-Claude Clerveau’s installation comes at a time when Haitian Customs is embarking on one of the most significant modernizations in its history.
Amidst security pressures, financial emergencies, and logistical challenges, the Great North represents one of the most complex yet also most promising areas. The new General Supervisor, strong in his experience and vision, seems determined to translate the General Directorate's orientations into concrete results.
His mission promises to be demanding, but his career path suggests a clear direction: that of a stronger, more unified Customs closer to international standards. By Jean Valdonel CONSTANT
The ceremony, presided over by Deputy Director General Ronald Beaufils, revealed both a vision, a strategy, and a symbol: that of a seasoned executive called to lead one of the most sensitive areas of the national customs system. In a country facing security, logistical, and economic challenges of unprecedented scale, the appointment of an experienced senior official in the Great North is not a mere administrative act. It is part of a broader restructuring movement initiated by Director General Gérald Remplais, determined to make Customs a modern, coherent, and operational institution. A Critical Role in a Highly Strategic Region From the outset, the Deputy Director General recalled that the Great North is one of the most critical crossroads for legal trade, but also for threats related to illicit trafficking, smuggling, and revenue evasion. “The General Supervisor is not an ordinary civil servant; he is an operational commander, a strategic watchman, and a guarantor of the uniformity of customs actions,” emphasized Mr. Beaufils in his speech. Jean-Claude Clerveau’s mission is vast and demanding: to ensure the cohesion of customs practices; strengthen operational assistance to local offices;
harmonize procedures;
supervise the execution of regulations; guarantee the fluidity of legal trade; intensify the fight against illicit trafficking and fraud; optimize the mobilization of state revenues. While reaffirming the Directorate's confidence in him, Ronald Beaufils insisted on the need to work with loyalty, integrity, and exemplary conduct, three pillars he described as “essential for any executive of this stature.” A Speech of Humility, Vision, and Unity Facing this high responsibility, Jean-Claude Clerveau delivered a deeply institutional speech, tinged with humility, strategic insight, and a vibrant call for administrative unity. In a calm voice, he first thanked the general management for the trust placed in him, before recalling a principle he considers sacred: “The Customs Administration is one and indivisible. Customs does not operate by clan or faction, but by discipline, competence, and a spirit of service.” Recalling his long career, he compared Customs to a “professional family” built on solidarity, respect for the chain of command, and a sense of collective duty. For the Great North, he set three clear priorities:
- Strengthen revenue mobilization, in a context where every gourde counts.
- Improve regional coordination among the various offices and border posts.
- Harmonize procedures, to make the Great North a national model of good customs governance.
He concluded with a maritime metaphor that deeply resonated with the audience: “When the ship takes on water, it is not the novices who go down into the holds, but the most seasoned sailors. That is the essence of the customs spirit.” An Experienced Executive Forged by Three Decades of Service Jean-Claude Clerveau’s career, spanning nearly thirty years, represents one of the most structured ascensions within the General Customs Administration. Having joined the institution on August 11, 1995, he successively held command, supervisory, and directorial positions both in the field and at the central headquarters. Academically, his degree in Economic Sciences (UEH) is complemented by technical training in France, notably at the École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Strasbourg, as well as specialized internships in French airports concerning anti-fraud efforts and operational control. Expected Leadership in a Key Region The Great North, with its ports, border posts, and official or diverted trade routes, remains a crucial area for the country's economic sovereignty.
The arrival of Jean-Claude Clerveau, known for his discipline, method, and field knowledge, is perceived as a strong signal: that of a Customs aiming to regain control, to impose order and uniformity,
and to strengthen its role as a financial pillar of the State. Towards a More Modern, Coherent, and Efficient Customs Jean-Claude Clerveau’s installation comes at a time when Haitian Customs is embarking on one of the most significant modernizations in its history.
Amidst security pressures, financial emergencies, and logistical challenges, the Great North represents one of the most complex yet also most promising areas. The new General Supervisor, strong in his experience and vision, seems determined to translate the General Directorate's orientations into concrete results.
His mission promises to be demanding, but his career path suggests a clear direction: that of a stronger, more unified Customs closer to international standards. By Jean Valdonel CONSTANT
