Articles

All of us remember where we were ten years ago on September 11, 2001 or 9/11 as it has become known. Th e violence of 9/11 changed the world forever and its ramifi cations were equally felt by … the Customs and trade world. Security, in particular global trade security, became a priority policy objective and was enhanced as a vital component in Customs’ existing border protection portfolio to prevent such an attack from re-occurring. Moreover, the international Customs community successfully showed that security could be enhanced while facilitating legitimate trade at the same time. Th e actions of the WCO and its membership were and are essential to national and international security and economic prosperity.

The Customs Enforcement Guide on Transshipment Fraud consists of an introduction to the problems generated by transshipments, the legal framework containing current definitions, and the distinction … between transit and transshipment. It also refers to the specifi cs of transshipments via free zones, the mechanisms used, and recommendations on how to address the risks related to transshipment fraud.

In recent years, the world has witnessed an increase in the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Th ese devices are manufactured using chemicals that are produced by various manufacturers … and available commercially throughout the world. They are utilized within civilian industries and generally legal to purchase, store, and use.

The 2011 WCO IPR trophy was awarded to the Argentine Customs Administration for its outstanding commitment to combating counterfeiting and piracy.

Noting the increase in the number of natural disasters aff ecting populations and requiring urgent international humanitarian assistance, the Council adopted a Resolution on the Role of Customs … in Natural Disaster Relief which identifi es specifi c tasks for WCO Members and the Secretariat given Customs’ key role in this respect, especially with regard to the clearance of relief consignments. A Customs administration that is fully prepared and works eff ectively and effi ciently by taking the lead and cooperating with other agencies through coordinated border management can make a huge difference.

The Technical Committee continues to work on the relationship between transfer pricing and Customs valuation, and is also examining technical questions that have been received from the Customs … Administration of Belarus regarding the Customs value of industrial waste products, and from Singapore Customs on the Interpretation of “condition of sale” in Article 8.1 (c) and the Application of Article 8.1 (d) with respect to payments based on projected net profits.

Two decades ago, the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova turned an important page in its historical calendar and fully engaged itself in the process of state building and economic development … of the country.

A new Masters of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Customs Management has been launched in Arusha, Tanzania by the East & Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI), in … collaboration with the University of Canberra’s Centre for Customs & Excise Studies (CCES). ESAMI is chartered to grant degrees by 10 countries in the East and Southern Africa region: Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Th e new degree marks a milestone for Customs in Africa, as students from these countries have the opportunity for specialized postgraduate studies similar to what CCES has been off ering in Canberra (face-toface) and in all continents (online).

Procomex is an alliance of Brazilian companies and private sector organizations which aims to support the Customs modernization process. In this article, John Edwin Mein shares lessons learned … from the Procomex experience and some thoughts on what makes a Customs-Business partnership successful.

Controlled delivery allows illicit or suspect consignments to pass out of, through, or into, the territory of one or more countries, with the knowledge of, and under the supervision of competent … authorities. Th e technique has rarely been used to combat wildlife crime, although it is widely used - and with good results - to combat other areas of crime such as the illegal or illicit trade in drugs, precursor chemicals, and tobacco. Two recent cases where controlled delivery has been used to successfully combat wildlife traffi cking are highlighted in this article.

A multitude of document types from all over the world may be presented to you at any time, in any offi ce. Is this a genuine document? What are the most important security features and technical … specifi cations? Obtaining accurate information on security features and their validity, as well as easy access to updated information wherever you are, is key to verifying the authenticity of such documents.

WWF is the world’s leading independent environmental organization and a truly global network, working in more than 90 countries. It is a challenging, constructive, science-based organization … that addresses issues from the survival of species and habitats to climate change, sustainable business and environmental education. Being a charity dependent upon its fi ve million supporters worldwide, 90% of the WWF’s income derives from voluntary sources such as individuals and the business community.

While harmonization of origin rules remains a work in progress at the WTO, the WCO is continuing to assist its Members to enhance their understanding of the rules of origin, contained in various … free trade agreements.

Trade facilitation is sometimes mistakenly viewed as speeding up the clearance of goods regardless of revenue and other implications, thereby solely delivering benefi ts to the private sector. … Indeed, when the WTO Doha Development Round started, some observers wondered if trade facilitation might not be better described as trade effi cacy. Th is implies that the goal of the negotiations should include the achievement of the broad objectives of Customs controls, such as revenue collection, security and community protection in an effi cient manner, thereby facilitating legitimate trade.

The WCO’s Revised Kyoto Convention on the simplifi cation and harmonization of Customs procedures, which entered into force on 3 February 2006, now has 76 Contracting Parties. Widely regarded … as a blueprint for modern and efficient Customs procedures in the 21st Century, instruments of accession continue to be deposited with the Secretariat.

While WTO rules are intended to set out the high principles for trade facilitation such as simplifi cation, harmonization, transparency, partnership, cooperation and risk management, the WCO … provides the norms to ensure their implementation.