Articles

Detection of illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials at borders is a multidimensional task, involving clear identification of roles and responsibilities at all stages of … detection and response infrastructure, availability of operating procedures, deployment of border monitoring equipment, human resource development and sustainability aspects. One key element to border monitoring systems is radiation detection equipment used to detect illicit trafficking of nuclear and dangerous radioactive materials in cargo, commerce and passengers. More specifically, the focus is put on detecting components of nuclear weapons and radioactive materials out of regulatory control that can potentially be used for Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDD) – the highest priority concern for nuclear security.

The world is trying to ensure that global container traffic is controlled and secure; reducing the vulnerability containers could pose for nations and their ports. Governments and non-government … organizations are constantly debating and demanding certain protocols be adopted to achieve this security, for instance the demand by the United States (US) for scanning.

Against an overwhelmingly liberal trade background, the modern Customs environment appears to be dominated by seeking the best possible balance between facilitation and security of international … trade, followed by the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on Customs clearance activities.

In its efforts to facilitate the movement of transit trade across Jordan and to balance security and facilitation requirements, Jordan Customs has begun implementing an electronic Transit Monitoring … and Facilitation System (TMFS), the first of its kind used by a Customs administration.

On 26 June 2009, during the WCO’s Council Sessions, Mr. Hiroshi Fujioka, the then Director General of Japan’s Customs and Tariff Bureau (CTB), and Mr. Jayson P. Ahern, Acting Commissioner of … US Customs Border Protection (CBP), signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement concerning their Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, namely Japan’s AEO programme and the US’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT). Distinguished delegates from Member administrations and observer organizations, including Mr. Martyn Dunne, Chairperson of the Council, and Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, the WCO Secretary General, witnessed the ceremony.

The Jamaica Customs Department (JCD) plays a pivotal role in fulfilling the mission, vision and achieving the targets set by the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service. Customs is a principal … contributor to government coffers, collecting approximately 30% of national tax revenue annually.

Directors General of Customs representing the WCO’s 174 Members met in Brussels for the annual Council Sessions from 25 to 27 June 2009. The main issues addressed by the Council related to policy … matters, elections and appointments, and a wide range of topical Customs and trade matters.

Right now, governments, the business community and individuals are focused on improving their respective financial situations as a matter of absolute necessity during this current global economic … downturn. Trade is a key driver of economic performance, and implementing a coordinated border management strategy involving new levels of integration and collaboration between public and private sectors is widely seen as critical to bolster trade flows, while facilitating the achievement of national economic and societal goals.

As countries developed Customs forms, requirements, and automated systems overthe years,there waslittle coordination and consultation among them. As a result, there are thousands of data elements, … hundreds of different Customs forms, and as many different Customs systems as there are Customs administrations. This lack of coordination has created a confusing and confounding environment. These different requirements are rife with redundancy and duplication and are expensive to maintain and operate. Governments created this problem; governments can correctthissituation – by using the WCO Data Model.

The WCO has established a global database of preferential trade agreements and related rules of origin in accordance with the Action Plan to improve the understanding and application of preferential … rules of origin endorsed by the WCO Council in June 2007.

The Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong, China (HKC)is a progressive and forward-looking customs organizationwhich contributesto the stability and prosperity of the community. We act with … confidence, serve with courtesy and strive for excellence.

In line with the Korean Government's drive for "Green Growth", the Korea Customs Service (KCS) developed its Green Customs vision and released its plan to combat illegal transactions of goods … detrimental to the environment in October 2008. This comprehensive longterm plan was produced by adjusting the recommendation on environmental protection adopted by the WCO Council in June 2008 to Korea’s circumstances.

It all started when the G7 deemed standardization and a reduction in the volume of data required for international trade operations essential for facilitating the movement of goods at borders, … the key elements undoubtedly being information and documentation.

Headquartered at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) isthe world’s centre of cooperation in the nuclear field. Established in 1957 … as an independent, inter-governmental organization under United Nations auspices, IAEA membership currently stands at 146 States.

Customs administrations have worked diligently for more than two decades to increase voluntary compliance with Customs regulations, mainly by making it easier to obtain information aboutregulations. … Is this diligence paying off? Can more be done to enable voluntary compliance and, perhaps even more important, to facilitate trade?

The EastWest Institute partnered with Italy, 2009 Chair of the G-8, and the World Customs Organization to host the Sixth Worldwide Security Conference (WSC6) at WCO headquarters in Brusselsfrom … 18 to 19 February 2009 with the theme ‘From the Global War on Terror, to Common Security and Joint Action’.