Leidinys

Between March and May 2009, Customs administrations from 64 countries launched Operation Demeter targeting the illicit cross-border shipment of hazardous and other waste en route from Europe … to countries in the Asia/ Pacific region and Africa. This joint global Customs initiative netted more than 36,000 tons and 1,700 pieces of illegal hazardous waste in 57 seizures, ranging from household waste and scraps metal to discarded electronic goods and used vehicle parts.

The World Customs Organization has issued a list of recommended amendments to the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature that will enter into force on 1 January 2012. Affected goods include certain … animals and animal products, foods and agricultural products (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, spices, etc.), chemical substances, wood products, textile products, machinery, furniture and video game consoles. These recommendations were adopted by the WCO Council in June 2009 and WCO Members have six months to register any objections.

In 2008, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum completed the Secure Trade project, a research and analysis project designed to better understand the economics, efficacy, and equity … of security technologies used for containerized maritime trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has been using non-intrusive inspection (NII) equipment in cargo and passenger processing since the early 1990s. Various technologies, … including x-ray machines (ranging from small cabinet systems to containerised cargo inspection systems) and hand-held radiation detection and identification equipment have been used.

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.