ASIA PACIFIC CUSTOMS NEWS Asia Pacific CUSTOMS NEWS
March 2017 Issue 54 | March 2017 | [email protected] | www.wcoasiapacific.org
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
CONTENTS OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
In Focus 4 Afghanistan Opens New Customs and Tax Academy 6 News From The Region 6 Fiji Detector Dogs 9 Capacity Building 30 ASYCUDA World Goes Live in Maldives 17 Asia/Pacific Regional Office For 33 International Customs Day Celebrations 28 Capacity Building (ROCB A/P) Capacity building programs conducted by Japan Customs 31 Upcoming Events 35 Upcoming Events 35
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CONTENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHAIR ASIA/PACIFIC 3
IN FOCUS The 26Th Annual WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting 4 14Th Meeting Of Heads Of The WCO A/P Regional Training Centers 5
NEWS FROM THE REGION Afghanistan Opens New Customs and Tax Academy 6 Afghanistan’s Director General Customs Participates in ACD Diagnostic Workshop 7 Australia and PNG Sign MOU 7 Brunei RCED Announces New Acting Controller of Customs 8 Fiji Detector Dogs 9 Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Seized by Huangpu Branch of China Customs 10 Maldives Customs Services Study Visit to Fiji ASYCUDA Sites 11 Brunei Customs Go For 24Hour a Week Operation 12 Detector Dogs Breeding Cooperation Programme of Hong Kong Customs 12 Hong Kong Authorized Economic Operator Programme Harvests a Bumper Crop 13 Less Paperwork for India Customs 14 Iran Customs Ranks Third in Fight Against Smuggling 14 Iran Becomes 68th Contracting Party to WCO Istanbul Convention 15 Strengthening Customs and Trade Ties with Laos 15 Malaysian Customs Expects to Collect Additional RM3 Billion in GST for 2017 16 ASYCUDA World Goes Live in Maldives 17 Thailand and Korea Sign MOU 18 Mongolian Customs Representatives Visit Moscow 19 German Delegation Visits Mongolian Customs for Cooperation Discussions 20 Nepal Customs Validates its Fifth Customs Reform and Modernization Strategic and Action 20 Plan New Zealand Team Established to Pinpoint Border Risk 21 Canines Boost Protection at New Zealand Border and Prisons 22 Major Narcotics Seizures in Pakistan 23 Philippines BOC Partners with Civil Society Groups to Promote Transparency 23 Heads of Agency Meeting Between ABF and Thai Customs 24 Vietnam Saves More Than 12,000 Billion VND Through Trade Facilitations 24 Vietnam Customs Implement Rules, Discipline and Administration 26 International Customs Day 2017 28
Capacity Building Modernisation and Reforms Workshop in Fiji 30 WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Workshop on Intelligence-Led Risk Management 30 Capacity Building Programs Conducted by Japan Customs 31 Sri Lanka Customs Hosts Risk Assessment and Selectivity Workshop 32 WCO Workshop on Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing for Thailand Customs 32
ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING (ROCP A/P) Staff Updates 33 Announcements on WCO’s Sponsored Programs for Customs Professionalism 33 Annual Technical Needs Survey Underway 33 ROCB A/P E-Newsletter No. 55 34 Interim Summation of ROCB A/P Regional Workshop Follow-Up Action Survey 2015/16 34
UPCOMING EVENTS 35
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Dear WCO Asia/Pacific Members Message from the Vice-Chair Asia/ Pacific Bula!
It is my pleasure to present to you the 54th edition of the WCO Asia Pacific Quarterly Newsletter.
On behalf of the Secretariat I thank you for your partnership and news contributions which has made the production of this newsletter possible.
This last quarter we celebrated World Customs Day with this years theme being “Data Analysis for more effective management”.
A timely theme and reminder as we as an Asia Pacific region prepare for the first survey of Regional Strategic Plan implementation for 2016 – 2018 in this next quarter.
I therefore encourage members to please participate in this very important survey so that we are better able to analyze our performance as a region and identify opportunities to better coordinate and manage our borders.
Mr. Visvanath Das Chief Executive Officer Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority
ROLE OF THE VICE CHAIR There are currently 33 WCO members in the Asia/ Pacific Region.
The role of the Regional Vice-Chair is to: • Identify regional requirements in respect of WCO activities; • Identify potential facilities and support for such facilities; • Assist in making arrangements for seminars, training sessions etc.;
• Obtaining the views of Members in the region for presentation at Policy Commission meetings; • As appropriate, represent the WCO at meetings of international bodies in the region; and • Arrange periodic regional meetings to foster WCO activities and hold discussions on subjects of common interest to members in the region.
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IN FOCUS
THE 26TH ANNUAL WCO ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL CONTACT POINTS MEETING
The Twenty-Sixth Meeting of the World Customs Ms. Konrote highlighted the global challenges and threats Organization (WCO) Asia/Pacific (A/P) Regional Contact faced across all borders and commended the regional Points (RCP) was held at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa, platform provided by the WCO which assists various Yanuca Island, Sigatoka, Fiji from the 9th to 11th November, countries to work smarter, forge alliances and also protect 2016. Delegates from Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, their economies. Fiji, Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Visvanath Das, Vice-Chair Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam Asia/Pacific, and discussed an extensive range of issues attended the Meeting. The representatives from the WCO, including the “Development of the Regional Strategic Plan the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office A/P (RILO AP), 2018-2020” as well as the “A/P Vice-Chair Nomination the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building A/P (ROCB Mechanism” and also further deliberated the “Proposal A/P) and the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) were also to Develop the Terms of Reference for the WCO Asia/ in attendance as observers. Pacific Regional Heads of Customs Administration (RHCA) Conference”.The Meeting also took note of the reports from The Meeting was officiated by the Permanent Secretary the WCO, WCO Asia/Pacific Vice-Chair Secretariat, ROCB for Economy Ms. Mareta Konrote. In her keynote speech, A/P and RILO A/P she welcomed all the delegates to the 26th WCO A/P RCP Meeting and she expressed her appreciation for the strong In his closing remarks, the Chairperson thanked the delegates support and cooperation given by members of the A/P region for their active participation and valuable contributions. to the Vice-Chair. Ms. Konrote also thanked the WCO for its ongoing support to the Asia/Pacific Region.
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IN FOCUS
14TH MEETING OF HEADS OF THE WCO A/P REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS
On 7-8 December 2016, the 14th Meeting of Heads of the Mr. Chi Kong Fan, Commandant of the Customs and Excise WCO A/P Regional Training Centers (RTCs) was convened Training School, i.e. RTC HKC, presided the Meeting. The at the Hong Kong Customs Headquarters Building. A total delegates discussed series of capacity building strategies of 22 delegates, including Heads of the 7 RTCs in China; and tactics, including the updated reports from the Fiji; Hong Kong, China (HKC); India; Japan; Korea and respective RTCs, and exchanged high-level views on the way Malaysia, representatives from the WCO Secretariat and forward towards further raising the profiles and the roles of the A/P Regional Vice-Chair’s Secretariat as well as ROCB the Customs capacity building in the A/P region by way of A/P staff, attended the Meeting. Mr. Thomas Lin, Assistant reinvigorating collaboration among the stakeholders, namely Commissioner (Administration and Human Resource the WCO, the Regional Vice-Chair, the ROCB A/P and the RTCs. Development) of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise, Among other things, the delegates discussed result-oriented officiated the Opening Ceremony and delivered a remark, in capacity building program management through Regional which he stressed the needs and importance of high quality Workshop Follow-Up Survey, furtherance of the Center of capacity building in order to better contend with a number Excellence concept, and conduct of study on the impact and of challenges the Customs administrations are facing under good practices of the development and the use of e-learning the fast-changing international trade environment. training modules for the Customs professionalism.
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IN FOCUS
14TH MEETING OF HEADS OF THE WCO A/P REGIONAL TRAINING CENTERS (CONT’D)
In the course of the Meeting, the delegates had an opportunity to visit the RTC HKC and observed its specialized training facilities, such as shooting range, mock court, simulation training room for house search, passenger examination cubicle and container and vehicle inspection modules. The RTC HKC also made a short demonstration of their e-learning system, which provided the delegates with invaluable food-for-thought for their in-depth discussion on the ROCB A/P’s possible think-tank functions.
The fruitful result of the Meeting laid a good foundation for further cooperation among the WCO, the ROCB A/P and the respective RTCs. All delegates agreed to join hands for further promoting the capacity building initiatives in the A/P region.
NEWS FROM THE REGION
AFGHANISTAN OPENS NEW CUSTOMS AND TAX ACADEMY
supported the training institute through development of the curriculum, training modules on customs procedures, and short-term technical assistance.
“We congratulate the Afghanistan Customs and Tax Academy (ACTA) on the creation of this new training facility,” USAID Mission Director Herbert Smith said. “The Academy’s ambitious curriculum will produce professional officers capable of enforcing Afghanistan’s trade and customs regulations and protocols,” Smith added. Source: Kabul Tribune Members of the press and guests attending the event had Kabul, Afghanistan – Senior Afghan government officials the opportunity to tour the academy’s facilities, including and representatives from foreign embassies and the donor computer labs equipped with World Customs Organization community gathered for the inauguration of the Afghanistan E-Learning modules. Academy staff demonstrated Customs and Tax Academy (ACTA), a training institute that appropriate procedures and customs agent behavior at a intends to produce a new generation of customs officers simulated border crossing. equipped with the requisite skills to facilitate trade and collect customs duties at Afghanistan’s borders and airports. Afghanistan Opens New Customs and Tax Academy [Online}: The new recruits will attend a four-month training program, (December 6, 2016): https://www.usaid.gov/afghanistan/ and they must meet strict evaluation standards prior to job news-information/press-releases/afghanistan-opens-new- placement. customs-and-tax-academy
“Customs officers perform one of the most challenging jobs in Afghanistan and they directly contribute to the country’s development,” said Ahmad Reshad Popal, Director General of Afghanistan Customs Department at the Ministry of Finance. “The opening of this new academy is a major step toward increasing professional service at our border crossings, which will assist with the fight against corruption and contribute to improved revenue generation for the state.” The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
DIRECTOR GENERAL CUSTOMS PARTICIPATES IN ACD DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP IN AZERBAIJAN
harmonized procedures in order to strengthen the economy of the country. Therefore, the WCO’s diagnostic assessment is viewed as a tool with key objectives to accomplish its mission.
The key objectives of the WCO diagnostic assessment are as follow; • To undertake a comprehensive diagnostic of the Afghanistan Customs Department; • To engage ACD officers in the preparation of the diagnostic conclusions; • To identify areas for further in-country diagnostic assessment; • To identify priority technical assistance capacity Source: Afghanistan Customs Department building needs within the ACD; • To develop a forward plan for collaboration between the The Top Management of Afghan Customs Department (ACD) ACD and the WCO. participated in Customs Diagnostic Workshop organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Baku, Republic of This workshop is being facilitated by experts from the United Azerbaijan from 19th September to 29 September, 2016. The States, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Zambia. It is Workshop is the first phase within the Columbus Program considered a vital step during which the above objectives (Annexure A) which is an enabler for establishing key will be achieved and the ACD will be able to strive for requirements for customs modernization and reforms as more comprehensive modernization agenda for long short well as the effective implementation of Afghanistan’s WTO term and long term that would eventually enable customs commitments, including the Agreement on Trade Facilitation organization to deliver customs revenue and effective (TFA). Ahmad Reshad Popal, the Director General Customs, enforcement of rules and regulations. As the result of the said that “the Afghan Customs Department is committed Diagnostic, a report along with recommendations will be to bringing about modernization and reforms and the ACD produced in order to have a concert road map for future. management makes sure the international best practices are observed and put into action in order to minimize the Director General Customs Participates in ACD Diagnostic corruption.” Assessment Workshop in Azerbaijan [Online]: (September 22, 2016): http://customs.mof.gov.af/en/news/director-general- The ACD’s mission is to strive for partnership with the customs-participates-in-acd-diagnostic-assessment-workshop- trading community and international best practices through in-azerbaijan
AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE COMMISSIONER COMMITS TO LONG-TERM COOPERATION WITH PNG CUSTOMS SERVICE
Torres Strait, the deployment of detector dogs to Papua New Guinea, and increased information sharing arrangements.
The MOU will also enhance the capabilities of both agencies through partnership arrangements, where officers are embedded within the partner agency to assist in the development of specialist skills and expertise.
The agreement was signed when ABF Commissioner Source: Australia Border Force Quaedvlieg welcomed the Chief Commissioner of the Papua New Guinea Customs Service, Ray Paul OBE, to the Australia- Papua New Guinea Customs Service Bilateral Meeting in Australian Border Force Commissioner, Roman Quaedvlieg Canberra. APM, signed an historic Memorandum of Understanding between the ABF and the Papua New Guinea Customs The annual meeting is the principal bilateral engagement Service on December 14th, 2016. between the Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Papua New Guinea Customs The agreement enables the two agencies to conduct joint Service. operational activities, such as joint maritime patrols in the
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE COMMISSIONER COMMITS TO LONG-TERM COOPERATION WITH PNG CUSTOMS SERVICE (CONTINUED)
Important discussions occurred on a broad range of matters of mutual interest, including cooperation on APEC 2018, trade facilitation, maritime security and transnational crime.
The Ngunnawal People, the traditional owners of the land, were acknowledged and a traditional smoking ceremony, an ancient custom practised by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, was performed to welcome the Papua New Guinean delegation.
Commissioner Quaedvlieg presented Chief Commissioner Paul with an Aboriginal Source: Australia Border Force
didgeridoo and clap sticks at the ceremony and said the relationship with the Papua New Guinea Customs Service was one of the agency’s most significant regional relationships.
“This latest agreement covers a five-year period until 2021 and is further evidence of the long-term commitment to cooperation between the Australian Border Force and the Papua New Guinea Customs Service,” Commissioner Quaedvlieg said.
“Australia has strong historical ties with Papua New Guinea on customs matters, dating back to 1888 when the Colony of Queensland assisted in the establishment of customs posts in Port Moresby and on Samarai Island.”
ABF Commissioner commits to long-term cooperation with PNG Customs Service [Online]: (December 14, 2016): http:// newsroom.border.gov.au/releases/abf-commissioner-commits-to-long-term-cooperation-with-png-customs-service
ROYAL CUSTOMS AND EXCISE (RCED) ANNOUNCES NEW ACTING CONTROLLER OF CUSTOMS
Royal Customs and Excise Department Administration from Royal Melbourne (RCED), Brunei Darussalam is pleased to Institute of Technology, Australia. announce Mr. Muhammad Mu’inuddin He has vast experience in research Chin Bin Abdur Rahman appointed as and eradication against controlled Deputy Controller of Customs effective drug misuse. His leadership sees on 6th September 2016 and now Acting RCED’s reformation by introducing Controller of Customs. Previously he new organizational structure aimed was holding a position as Assistant to strengthen the main function Director at Narcotic Control Bureau, of RCED in trade’s facilitation and Prime Minister’s Office from 2008. safeguard safety and welfare of Brunei Mr. Muhammad Mu’inuddin holds a Darussalam. Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
FIJI DETECTOR DOG UNIT LAUNCHED
Police Commissioner Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho, Chief the most highly trained detector dogs at its borders to fight Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority organized crimes in Fiji. (FRCA) Mr. Visvanath Das, General Manager Border Operations of New Zealand Customs Anne-Marie Taggert, The Detector Dog Unit is based at the Nadi International Manager International Strategy of NZ Police Inspector Airport and this will also be the first time FRCA will have a Cameron Sigley and New Zealand High Commissioner Mark dedicated detector dog capability unit who until now relied Ramsden officially opened the new kennels for detector on Police detector dogs at its borders. dogs at Nadi International Airport on November 22nd, 2016. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority has been working The kennels will house four fully trained detector dogs with its counterpart in New Zealand to establish a detector donated by the New Zealand Government. The dogs and dog programme in Fiji, which is considered a transport and their handlers (from Fiji Police and FRCA) were trained in travel hub in the South Pacific”, Fiji Revenue and Customs New Zealand in 2015. Authority Chief Executive Officer Mr. Visvanath Das said.
This project, a joint initiative involving Fiji Revenue and “These Detector Dogs will help the Fiji Revenue and Customs Customs Authority, Fiji Police Force, New Zealand Police Authority and police to strengthen border security and and New Zealand Customs, and funded by the New Zealand counter organized criminal groups using Fiji as a transit Pacific Security Fund, will strengthen Fiji’s border security point for moving illicit goods to New Zealand and Australia”. by increasing detection and seizures of prohibited goods including illicit drugs and currency. “It’s a good example of the collaboration between agencies in both New Zealand and Fiji working together with the New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Mr. Mark Ramsden common goal to stem the flow of illicit drugs”, Mr. Das while officiating the opening highlighted that New Zealand is stressed. “We had our Custom Officers handling the dogs pleased to support this project which will not only strengthen getting trained as part of a three-year project which will see Fiji’s border security, but will also help fight transnational NZ advisors working alongside Fiji Customs and police to crime across the Pacific. As a close neighbour to Fiji, New get the dogs settled in to operations”. Zealand is committed to continuing work with the Fiji Police and Customs Authority to address the security risks to the “This project has a focus on long-term capability and we look region brought by transnational crime. forward to building the relationship to ensure that we all play our part in combating cross-border organized crime in the Following the opening, Fiji can now boast to have some of region and the trade in illicit drugs”.
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
FIJI DETECTOR DOG UNIT LAUNCHED (CONTINUED)
“In order to consider the Fijian Customs Administration as a With the criminal landscape evolving at a rapid pace, the modernized, effective and modern institution, it is important Commissioner of Police also acknowledged the vision of to apply the best practices of control mechanisms that are the Detector Dog Project Steering Group in addressing the recognized worldwide”, Mr. Das stressed. working partnership’s longevity.
Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho acknowledged the assistance of the New Zealand High Commission, New Zealand Police, New Zealand Customs and the Pacific Security Fund for enabling the project to come to fruition.
“It is encouraging to hear that the future of this project has been discussed which guarantees further enhancement of the detector dog capabilities for both the Fiji Police Force “The Fiji Police Force being the institution tasked with and FRCA because we must be proactive and anticipate the maintaining the safety and security of every Fijian and fact that criminal elements will find more innovative ways of visitors to our shores is excited by today’s event and looks beating the current screening processes”. forward to the operational outputs of this project”. A second phase of the project will see four dogs brought to “Considering the large volume of movement at our borders Suva for the same purposes. enhancing our detector dogs capabilities will enable us to send a strong message that our borders will be impenetrable and by strengthening it not only enhances the security of our nation but neighbouring countries as well”.
COUNTERFEIT PHARMACEUTICALS SEIZED BY HUANGPU BRANCH OF CHINA CUSTOMS
On Dec. 28th, 2016，Huangpu Branch of These pharmaceuticals have been China Customs, based on intelligence detained by China Customs and analysis and risk targeting, seized confirmed counterfeits by the brand 126,000 tablets of amoxicillin with the owners. The case is now under “GSK” logo and 2,040,000 tablets of investigation. penicillin branded “Laclox” that were concealed in a container loaded with export automobile parts.
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
MALDIVES CUSTOMS SERVICES STUDY VISIT TO FIJI ASYCUDA OPERATIONAL SITES
The Maldives Customs Service (MCS) study group requested economic growth. In as much as the customs clearance to visit the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) process saves cost, streamlines processing time, identifies through the United Nations Conference on Trade and goods from high-risk consignments for inspection, Development (UNCTAD) Expert for Automated System for processing payments to release and delivery of the goods; Customs Data (ASYCUDA), Mr. Jayvee Santos. ASYCUDA remains a competitive advantage for trade facilitation.
Having been attached with the FRCA since November 2014, Mr. Santos has successfully upgraded the programme from This opportunity to travel to Fiji has been deemed a worthy ASYCUDA++ to ASYCUDA World (AW) during his tenure. It cause. While legislations demarcate the sovereign right of was the opinion of the visiting entourage that Fiji was the each nation, it is clear that Customs universal processes and best choice due to similarities in trade, culture and history as procedures remains the engine that generates economic common to other developing countries in the Pacific region. growth for business communities. Also the implementation The successful shift of ASYCUDA over the years is top on of the World Customs Organization Strategic Plan in the list as a stronghold Customs instrument resulting in an promoting security and facilitation of international trade effective and efficient process delivery for stakeholders. flows, enforcing safe and healthy environment, and promoting partnership engagement between agencies and stakeholders through information exchange fosters successful modernization and reforms programs for the Administrations. The Maldives delegation also stated that there is still room for improvement with the ongoing changes and would venture into other opportunities as they come along.
The tour group visited airline and shipping line sites including Airport Fiji Ltd (AFL) as well as Williams & Gosling (W&G) to witness ASYCUDA interfacing with other systems established in-house. Also, the visit to the Baggage Hall in Nadi Airport was informative in identifying declared goods to the respective ‘controlled’ channels i.e. green, yellow, red and blue and was concluded at the Lautoka Wharf. Both of the Administrations have their own unique approaches. On one hand, FRCA’s approach in having a The Maldives Customs Service delegation expressed their common identifier through Customer’s tax numbers (trader, appreciation to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority traveller and taxpayer) is one that MCS aspires towards. for hosting them and the UNCTAD expert for the support. On the other hand, Maldives’ approach in using a paperless The tour was informative and new knowledge will certainly system through the programme is one that FRCA hopes to improve their status develop in the future.
The same sentiments were echoed by both administrations that investing in a cost-saving programme would assist
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
BRUNEI CUSTOMS GO FOR 24-HOUR A WEEK OPERATION
1st December 2016, Royal Customs and Excise Department and another similar session with the Shipping Agents on (RCED), Brunei Darussalam started a 24hours by 7 days the 26th January 2017. It is important for the agents as operation at Muara Port. The extended hour’s operation stakeholders to RCED to understand the process and to is aimed to provide the traders with ample time in loading support the initiative. and unloading their goods without the need to wait for the next working day to do activity. With this initiative, Brunei Darussalam hopes to see an increase in the number of import and export activities in the years to come, hence, a positive impact on overall economy is expected.
In order to fulfill its mission in facilitating trading across borders, and to comply with the World Bank measurement in border compliance indicator, with 24-by-7 operation strategy, RCED wishes to reduce the time taken for time to import from 48hours to 32 hours.
RCED has socialized the new operation time to the Forwarding Agents on 25th November 2016 through dialogue session
DETECTOR DOG BREEDING COOPERATION PROGRAMME OF HONG KONG CUSTOMS
Hong Kong Customs (HK Customs) and the Hong Kong HK Customs will endeavor to explore new joint venture with Correctional Services Department joined hands to launch the other local and overseas counterparts in canine cooperation. first ever detector dog breeding cooperation programme in December 2015. Both departments recognized the need to open a new source of supply of detector dogs to cope with the enforcement requirements, and to share experience on dog breeding, puppy rearing and canine training.
English Springer Spaniel was chosen as the breed for cooperation due to its energetic character, strong stamina and high alertness in drugs detection. With the accomplishment of mission by HK Customs’ “Barney” (male) and HKCSD’s “Atom” (female), seven healthy puppies were born on 17-18 May 2016.
The puppies will undergo intensive 12-week drugs detection training jointly organized by the dog instructors of both departments in early 2017. They are expected to be well- trained as professional working dogs for performing frontline duties before end 2017. For dogs allocated to HK Customs, they will be strategically deployed to the airport, cross-boundary control points and container terminals for clearance of passengers and cargoes.
The cooperation programme signified a milestone of the HK Customs in canine training and development. Facing more enforcement challenges upon the commissioning of various cross-boundary control points and infrastructural projects in the years ahead,
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
HONG KONG AUTHORIZED ECONOMIC OPERATOR PROGRAMME HARVESTS A BUMPER CROP
Assistant Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, Mr Jimmy Tam (front, centre), is pictured with representatives of all Hong Kong AEOs at the Hong Kong AEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony]
The flourishing achievements presented in the Hong The Ceremony was very well received by the industries. It Kong Authorized Economic Operator (HKAEO) Certificate marked the round with the most number of companies Presentation Ceremony held on 13 January 2017 signified receiving AEO certificates in recognition of their trusted Hong Kong Customs’ (HKC) unwavering dedication towards partner status of HKC, as well as the highest number of the development of the HKAEO Programme and further participants over the years. Business participants highly strengthened the Customs-to-Business Partnership. recognized the given multiplied benefits to AEOs resulting from the key achievements of the Programme. They echoed The bright spot of the Ceremony counted on a great leap positively the newly launched AEO logo promotional stickers forward in the development of AEO Mutual Recognition as well as the setting up of AEO clearance facilities at Arrangement (MRA) with Mexico and the European Union. various control points. Positive comments from the two AEO Following the 6th and 7th MRAs recently concluded with interviewees coupled with the applause from the floor greatly Malaysia and Japan, Assistant Commissioner of Hong Kong motivated potential companies to join the HKAEO family and Customs, Mr. Jimmy Tam exchanged AEO MRA Action Plan/ undoubtedly provided sustainable dynamo accelerating the Work Plan with the Deputy Consul-General of Mexico in Hong full propulsion for the development of the Programme. Kong and Macao, Mr. Saúl Zambrano Barajas, and the Head of Trade Section, European Union (EU) Office to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr. Alessandro Paolicchi, respectively during the Ceremony. It not only demonstrated HKC’s persistent efforts on phased MRAs development starting with economies of HK’s principal trading partners followed by those along the One Belt One Road regions such as Indonesia and Vietnam. More importantly, it provided AEOs significantly the progressive MRA benefits riding on the increasing number of ratifications.
Assistant Commissioner of Hong Assistant Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, Mr. Jimmy Tam Kong Customs, Mr. Jimmy Tam (left), and the Head of Trade (left), and the Deputy Consul- Section, European Union Office General of Mexico in Hong Kong Assistant Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, Mr Jimmy Tam to Hong Kong and Macao, Mr. and Macao, Mr. Saúl Zambrano (centre), is pictured with representatives of the eight new Hong Kong Alessandro Paolicchi, exchanged Barajas, exchanged the MRA AEOs at the Hong Kong AEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony the MRA Work Plan at the Hong Action Plan at the Hong Kong Kong AEO Certificate Presentation AEO Certificate Presentation Ceremony] Ceremony
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
LESS PAPER WORK FOR NEW DELHI CUSTOMS CLEARANCE FROM DECEMBER 1, 2016
The New Delhi Finance Forms /TR6 Challans is not required, the ministry said. Ministry has said the customs department is moving towards It said the CBEC provides copies of the digitally signed a paperless regime and doing Shipping Bill to DGFT and also the data of Shipping Bill away with submission of is integrated with the EDPMS (Export Data Processing certain documents physically and Monitoring System) of RBI. Therefore, printing of the by importers and exporters from Exchange Control copy and Export Promotion copy of the December 1, 2016. Shipping Bill for manual submission by the exporter is not required. The move would help importers and exporters shift towards Similarly, with the operationalisation of the IDPMS (Import electronic messaging and paper-free environment and Data Processing and Monitoring System) banks are not further enhance the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ by reducing required to obtain a physical copy of Bill of Entry from the or eliminating physical printouts for customs clearance, an importer as an evidence of import because data can be official statement said. transferred in secured manner from the system of customs department to IDPMS. It has been, therefore, decided to According to the Central Board of Excise and Customs discontinue the printing of Exchange control copy of Bill of (CBEC) circular, importers and exporters will henceforth Entry. not be required to submit paper documents such as GAR 7 forms / TR 6 Challans, Trans-shipment Permit (TP), Shipping All customs houses at Ports, Air Cargo Complex, ICDs and Bill (Exchange Control copy and Export Promotion copy) CFCs have been asked to issue public notice saying that & Bill of Entry (Exchange Control Copy) to Banks/ DGFT / importers and exporters would not be required to submit Customs Ports. paper documents.
The instructions are to be made operational from December Less Paper Work for Customs Clearance From December 1, 2016, the statement added. 1 [Online]: (November 29, 2016): http://www.ndtv.com/ india-news/less-paper-work-for-customs-clearance-from- As 95 per cent of the importers are now paying duty through december-1-1631426 e-payment and these documents can be viewed on the ICEGATE e payment Gateway, the need for print-out of GAR 7
IRAN’S CUSTOMS OFFICE RANKS THIRD IN FIGHT AGAINST SMUGGLING
In the latest ranking of the World Customs Organization’s delegates of international organizations (RILO Asia/Pacific, Centre of Information and Security, Iran was ranked third RILO for Western Europe, Asia/Pacific Office for Capacity in the fight against violation of customs regulations and Building, the United Nations Environment Programme), smuggling of goods, coming after New Zealand and Pakistan, Customs affiliates (Japan, Russia, Britain, the United States), as announced by Iran Customs Administration. and 19 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, Greece, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, According to a Farsi report by Kayhan newspaper, during the Nepal, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and 28th RILO (Regional Intelligence Liaison Office) Asia/Pacific Vietnam). National Contact Points (NCP) Meeting in Seoul, South Korea’s capital, it was officially announced that Iran held the Iran’s Customs Office Ranks Third in Fight against Smuggling world’s third position. [Online]: (December 21, 2016): http://ifpnews.com/news/ business/industries/2016/12/irans-customs-office-ranks- During the meeting, Iranian delegation delivered a report on third-in-fight-against-smuggling/ Iran’s findings and measures to combat customs violation, smuggling, drugs, and prefab and psychotropic substances. Sharing their experiences in the fight against customs violation, the members learned about the latest methods and operations. 53 people participated in the meeting, including
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN BECOMES THE 68TH CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE WCO ISTANBUL CONVENTION
from duties and taxes. These goods are covered by a single document known as the ATA carnet that is secured by an international guarantee system.
With this system the international business community enjoys considerable simplification of Customs formalities as the ATA carnet also serves as a goods declaration at export, transit and import. The ATA carnet is now the document most widely used by the trade for international operations involving the temporary admission of goods. The ATA system facilitates the flow of goods at borders, enabling Customs On 21 November 2016, H.E. Mr. Peiman Seadat, Ambassador authorities to concentrate scarce resources elsewhere. Not of the Islamic Republic to the Kingdom of Belgium, and only does the system facilitate trade, it also contributes to Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, as well as to the European more efficient border management. Union, deposited his country’s Instrument of Accession to the Istanbul Convention with the WCO Secretary General Dr. The Convention entered into force on 27 November 1993. Mikuriya. The Islamic Republic of Iran becomes the 68th Contracting The Convention on Temporary Admission (Istanbul Party to the WCO Istanbul Convention [Online]: (November 22, Convention) is an international instrument that combines 2016): http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2016/ all existing conventions on temporary admission. The ATA november/the-islamic-republic-of-iran-becomes-the-68th- system, which is an integral part of the Convention, allows contracting-party-to-the-wco-istanbul-convention.aspx the free movement of goods across frontiers and their temporary admission into a Customs territory with relief
STRENGTHENING CUSTOMS AND TRADE TIES WITH LAOS
with Laos was underpinned by the two countries’ shared interests in facilitating the legitimate flow of people and goods throughout the region.
Australia’s Ambassador to Laos, John Williams, and Laos’ Vice Minister for Finance, Mme Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, attended a ceremony where Commissioner Quaedvlieg and the head of the Lao Customs Department, Mr Bounpaseuth Sikounlabout, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Mutual Assistance on Customs Matters.
Source: Australian Embassy Lao PDR “This arrangement provides a framework for future engagement with a particular focus on information Customs-to-customs ties between Australia and Laos exchanges to help counter the trafficking of illicit drugs and have been boosted by the signing of a new arrangement in precursors in the region,” Commissioner Quaedvlieg said. Vientiane on Thursday 17th November, 2016. “It reflects the importance of working in partnership with our regional neighbours to combat transnational crime and the Australian Border Force Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg movement of illicit drugs, particularly through information visited the region to further cooperation on countering sharing.” the trade in illicit drugs and precursors and enhance the Australian Government’s immigration and border protection Bilateral cooperation between the Department of Immigration relationships with Lao counterparts. and Border Protection and the Lao Customs Department has increased significantly over the past 18 months. Commissioner Quaedvlieg said Australia’s strong relationship
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STRENGTHENING CUSTOMS AND TRADE TIES WITH LAOS (CONTINUED)
General of the Lao Department of Immigration, Lieutenant Colonel Saysaming Sivilay, to discuss Laos’ hosting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Immigration Department and Heads of Consular Affairs Divisions of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs Meeting (DGICM) in 2017.
“The Department of Immigration and Border Protection welcomed the opportunity to support Lao officials to travel to Indonesia earlier this year to observe the preparations and running of the 2016 DGICM,” Commissioner Quaedvlieg said.
Source: Australian Embassy Lao PDR “In addition to our bilateral engagement, the Department remains committed to a number of multilateral initiatives in “This year, we have provided training to our Lao counterparts which the Lao PDR participates.” in vessel search, information analysis, document examination and English language courses,” Commissioner Australia supports the United Nations Office on Drugs Quaedvlieg said. and Crime (UNODC) Container Control Programme being established at Thanaleng, Vientiane Province, and the The Commissioner also met the Chairman of the Lao Partnership against Transnational Crime through Regional National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, Mr Organised Law Enforcement (PATROL), to combat the illicit Kou Chansina, and gifted equipment to help Laos expand trafficking of drugs and other transnational organised its national coordination centre and two border outposts in criminal activities. support of Operation Safe Mekong – a sub-regional cross border initiative to combat the illicit trade in narcotics. Strengthening customs and trade ties with Laos [Online]: (November 18, 2016): http://newsroom.border.gov.au/ Noting its synergies with Australia’s 2015 National Ice releases/strengthening-customs-and-trade-ties-with-laos Action Strategy, Commissioner Quaedvlieg met the Director-
MALAYSIAN CUSTOMS EXPECTS TO COLLECT ADDITIONAL RM3 BILLION IN GST FOR 2017
JOHOR BAHRU: The system. Royal Malaysian Customs Department expected an “There are some traders who are not paying GST correctly, additional collection of RM3 some even pledged GST is lower than the fixed rate, and billion in Goods and Services those who collected GST but didn’t make their payment to Tax (GST) in 2017 through the the department,” he said. Customs Blue Ocean Strategy Operations (Ops CBOS) As such, he said the operation was aimed at educating approach which focuses more on informed compliance. the traders who were still confused or did not understand GST, and also at fixing their systems to smoothen the tax Customs Deputy Director-General (Enforcement and collection in the future. Compliance) Datuk T. Subromaniam said the target was based on the additional RM1 billion collected within four Subromaniam said as many as 200,000 out of the 430,000 months after the Ops CBOS was implemented in September GST registered companies nationwide would be visited 2015. by the department through its Ops CBOS, which involved restaurants, retailers, building contractors, general “The enforcement approach we adopted before seemed merchandise and hardware stores and entertainment ineffective. Thus, this time we will change the strategy to centres. a more customer-friendly and based on education to give guidance to the traders who are still confused about the He urged traders who have a problem with the GST system GST system,” he told reporters after the launch of CBOS to contact the department and its personnel would visit the operations at Menara JKDM. He explained that there were traders to lend a hand. also traders who still did not fully understand about GST
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MALAYSIAN CUSTOMS EXPECTS TO COLLECT ADDITIONAL RM3 BILLION IN GST FOR 2017 (CONTINUED)
“After this, strict action will be taken against traders who do provide exemption for companies which voluntarily declared not comply with GST regulations, including failing to submit their mistakes or paid lesser amounts, before the end of a statement or collecting taxes that are not paid to the 2016. department,” he said. Customs expects to collect additional RM3 billion in GST According to Subromaniam, since the implementation of next year [Online]: (December 28, 2016): http://english. GST in April 2015, a total of 4,000 investigation papers had astroawani.com/business-news/customs-expects-collect- been opened with 400 companies having been prosecuted additional-rm3-billion-gst-next-year-127187 for various GST related offences.
Ops CBOS, implemented on September 1 2016, aimed to verify and to audit GST registered companies in addition to
ASYCUDA WORLD GOES LIVE IN THE MALDIVES
Commissioner General of Customs, Mr. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed Over 12,500 hours of training sessions were carried out to train over addressing the audience in International Customs Day ceremony 1,000 staff and users
Maldives Customs Service (MCS) has successfully launched Migration to ASYCUDA World was part of a special project ASYCUDA World (AW) software in all of its offices including carried out with the assistance of Enhanced Integrated the main seaports, airports and regional stations established Framework (EIF-2). The first declaration was processed across the country. through the system on 1st August 2016. The subsequent phases were carried out at various ports, which was fully The AW was officially launched by the Commissioner completed in November 2016. General of Customs Mr. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed in a special Ceremony held on 26th January 2017, to mark The implementation work was carried out in coordination this year’s International Customs Day. In his speech after with the related departments of MCS, where Information launching of AW, the Commissioner General stressed on the Technology Section played a leading role. The project which advancements that have been brought to the import export took almost three years, helped MCS to develop the IT process with the introduction of this system, and that the infrastructure including server capabilities and other related MCS would continue to move forward with its modernization software. projects. He also mentioned about the ongoing efforts being undertaken to improve the World Bank’s Doing Business A number of training programs were conducted including Index in the Maldives. field visits to Fiji and Sri Lanka to experience the ASYCUDA World implementation in those countries, whereas technical and function trainings were held in Malaysia. Training
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ASYCUDA WORLD GOES LIVE IN THE MALDIVES (CONTINUED)
programs relating to system development were held in the Apart from these, AW will facilitate to enhance the already Maldives. Over 1000 staff and users were trained through developed systems and inter-agency online linkages, such these programs, which was calculated as more than 12,500 as with Ministry of Economic Development (MED), Maldives hours. Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) and Department of National Registrations (DNR).
Minimizing the number of software used for declaration processing, merging of cargo examination process to AW have been among the remarkable improvements that took place with the introduction of AW.
An ASYCUDA World facilitator from Maldives taking an information session for stakeholders
Trade facilitation and the simplification of trade processes have been among the top priorities of the Government. MCS has achieved remarkable progresses towards this target, including introduction of Online Declaration Processing System in the early 2013, through which importers and exporters can now lodge declarations and pay duty amounts online. Some of the other developments include online Commissioner General and Senior Officials of MCS with AW manifest system for sea cargo, pre-arrival declaration facilitators processing, Customs Portal Service etc. Since the AW has been introduced recently, issues are being Introduction of the AW as the latest version of ASYCUDA identified and attended, including development of software would definitely speed up the modernization process of which would further enhance the usage of the new system. MCS. The newly introduced system will contribute well to the ongoing efforts to introduce a National Single Window (NSW) in the Maldives which is being led by the Ministry of Economic Development.
THAILAND AND KOREA SIGN MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT the Authorized Economic Operators Program, at the Thai Customs Department, Bangkok.
The Mutual Recognition of AEO Program sets out the process of implementation, evaluation, monitoring and maintaining the mutual recognition arrangement between the two Customs Administrations. In addition, it also lays down the practical arrangements enabling Thai Customs and KCS to provide benefits to relevant business operators.
“By promoting Customs-to-Customs cooperation and mutual recognition of our AEOs, we could target high risk shipments more effectively and expedite Customs procedures for low On the 27 December 2016, Mr. Kulit Sombatsiri, the Director- risk shipments, thus benefiting traders and significantly General of the Thai Customs Department and Mr. Chun contributing to trade facilitation for both countries.” Mr. Kulit Hong-uk, the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service said. signed the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) of
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MONGOLIAN CUSTOMS REPRESENTATIVES VISIT MOSCOW
coming through the borders. Decisions have been made to have a video conference between the experts of Information technology center of MCGA and Information technology center of FCS in November 3, 2016. 3. Mongolian and Russian officials have come to a decision to create a database to exchange travel information regarding private vehicles through Russian and Mongolian borders. The Russian side have expressed their concern about the 774 of Mongolian vehicles that have crossed the border to the Russian side and have not returned to Mongolia, by creating the database such incidents will be under control and the partnership will be tightened. 4. Meeting regarding the customs statistics collation Source: Mongolian Customs and the analysis will be held every 3 years and Russia has offered to hold the meeting in 2018. /The previous On the invitation of the Russian Federal Customs Service, meeting was held on June 30 – July 2, 2015 in Mongolian Customs representatives led by Director General Ulaanbaatar. of the Mongolian Customs General Administration B.Asralt 5. MCGA has expressed their approval of this conference attended the 25th anniversary of the Federal Customs “Cooperation to standardize the daily progress of Service and Customs head round table discussion as a part Altanbulag – Hiagt port protocol” has been signed of 17th “Customs Service – 2016” international exhibition between Mongolia and Russian customs officials. on October 24, 2016 Moscow, Russia. The composition of the delegation Deputy General of the Mongolian Customs General Administration Yo.Bat-Erdene, Director of Customs Offence Prevention Department B.Onon, Customs officer of International Cooperation Division Ts.Bayarmaa.
Within the frames of this meeting agendas of the previous meetings were discussed and reviewed, as well as follow ups of the continuing projects and planning of extra workforce and recourses on the projects that are being delayed, the particular meeting was held at Russian Federal Customs Service in presence of the highest ranking officials of MCGA and FCS organizations.
The following agendas were discussed and come to mutual agreements 1. Joint meeting was held on June 23, 2016 in city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan between Mongolian, Russian and Chinese customs officials come to an agreement to inspect certain goods that are being imported through the borders, in order to make these inspections fluid Source: Mongolian Customs the above mentioned countries will be participating an trilateral meeting in city of Moscow in 2017, therefore Mongolian Customs representatives led by Director General Russian officials have formally invited the Mongolian of the MCGA B.Asralt visited to Moscow [Online]: (December customs officials to participate in this meeting. 26, 2016): http://www.customs.gov.mn/en/2012-03-14-03-24- 2. As a result of the meeting held on July 9, 2015 Ufa city, 50/2014-04-01-08-36-07/2013-07-12-07-37-32/360-mongolian- Mongolian Russian Customs officials have signed to an customs-representatives-led-by-director-general-of-the-mcga- agreement to improve the sharing of the outcomes of b-asralt-visited-to-moscow the x-ray inspection of the certain goods, as well as the continuation of the trial of the data exchange approved by all the parties of the meeting. Mongolian side has requested changes in the first draft of data exchange between Russia and Mongolia done on the vehicles
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FEDERAL MINISTRY OF FINANCE DELEGATES FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY VISIT MONGOLIAN CUSTOMS GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
Head of Directorate Ms.Tanja Mildenberger and Head of D.Jargalsaikhan and Director of International Cooperation Division Mr. Thomas Mazet of the Federal Ministry of Finance Division U.Tsolmon. of the Federal Republic of Germany visited the Mongolian Customs General Administration on 14-15 November 2016. Moreover, within the framework of the visit, the Customs General Administration of Mongolia and the Federal Ministry of Finance of the Federal Republic of Germany signed a joint declaration of intent on cooperation between the two organizations.
Signing of the joint declaration of intent establishes the foundation for cooperation, implementation of joint projects and exchange of experience. The parties agreed to develop the activity plan and sign it in Berlin during the ASEM Customs Head’s Meeting to be held in October in Berlin.
Source: Mongolian Customs Federal Ministry of Finance delegates from the Federal Republic Director General B.Asralt of the Customs General of Germany visits Mongolian Customs General Administration Administration officially welcomed the delegates and [Online]: (December 26, 2016: http://www.customs.gov.mn/ Mongolian Customs representatives led by the Deputy en/2012-03-14-03-24-50/2014-04-01-08-36-07/2013-07-12- Director General Yo.Bat-Erdene held a bilateral talks on 07-37-32/354-federal-ministry-of-finance-delegates-from- cooperation prospects of the two organizations. the-federal-republic-of-germany-visits-mongolian-customs- general-administration The meeting was attended by the Director of Public Administration Management Department O.Tseyenregzen, Director of Customs Control and Inspection Department E.Munkhuu, Director of Post Clearance Audit Department
NEPAL CUSTOMS VALIDATES ITS FIFTH CUSTOMS REFORM AND MODERNIZATION STRATEGIC AND ACTION PLAN
Assistance for Supporting Participation in the SASEC Trade Facilitation Program,” under which WCO-ADB collaboration has led to a number of joint activities. The ADB Technical Assistance has been supporting the implementation of the ongoing fourth-phase CRMSAP 2013-2017, including its mid-term review which provided the analytical basis for the formulation of the fifth phase.
Source: World Customs Organization
The Nepalese Customs Department, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), held a three-day seminar in Chitwan, Nepal on 26 – 28 November 2016, with the objective to validate their Fifth Customs Reform and Modernization Source: World Customs Organization Strategic and Action Plan (CRMSAP) 2017-2021. Customs In the coming four-year period Nepal Customs will continue senior management from all areas and key employees their engagement with a number of project activities striving attended. The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce to achieve the strategic goals of ensuring a professional and and other governmental agencies, as well as ADB officials competent Customs Service, correct revenue collection, and and experts were represented. The seminar was funded safety and security for the Nepalese society. by ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, “Technical
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NEPAL CUSTOMS VALIDATES ITS FIFTH CUSTOMS REFORM AND MODERNIZATION STRATEGIC AND ACTION PLAN (CONTINUED)
comments to the assembled participants.
The WCO expert noted that the fifth CRMSAP was in line with WCO instruments and tools. She underlined the importance of areas such as good performance indicators, risk and compliance management, project coordination and change management. The Director General of Customs Mr. Sishir Kumar Dunanga and his Deputy Mr. Shreekrishna Source: World Customs Organization Nepal took note of the comments, while emphasizing their Notable achievements to date include the formal adoption of perceived need for continued support from the WCO in the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). several technical areas.
For the last two days of the seminar, the Federation of Nepal Customs validates its fifth Customs Reform and Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) Modernization Strategic and Action Plan [Online]: (January 4, and other representatives of the private sector were invited, 2017): http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2017/ as was the WCO representative. After presentations of january/nepal-customs-validates-its-fifth-customs-reform- the CRMSAP, as well as of the results of a recently carried and-modernization-strategic-and-action-plan.aspx out TRS, group work followed. Six groups were tasked with reviewing different areas of the plan, such as Trade Facilitation, HR Management, Safety and Security etc. After their discussions, the groups presented their inputs and
NEW ZEALAND TEAM ESTABLISHED TO PINPOINT BORDER RISK
New intelligence tools interrogated to identify patterns in data that represent border will help Customs catch risk. “This information makes risk assessment of goods and more methamphetamine travellers more accurate.” smugglers and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) MPI, Director Intelligence, Planning and Coordination, Geoff keep biosecurity pests Gywn, says by developing our people, platform and processes offshore. A team of data together we will be successful in harnessing the power of analysts from Customs, MPI, data at the border. “MPI and Customs have built predictive and the Ministry of Business, models that address risk particular to each organisation. Innovation and Employment MPI’s focus is the biosecurity risk of pest infestation in cut (Immigration NZ) have formed flowers and fresh produce, while Customs’ focus is air cargo a joint analytics team in the data to identify methamphetamine smuggling. Auckland Customhouse to better inform risk targeting at the border. The agencies will Immigration New Zealand Assistant General Manager, work together to gain new insights into border risk through Stephen Vaughan, says each agency will gain insights the use of analytics software and data sharing. through data sharing and identifying opportunities to build data models that address common border risk.” Customs Group Manager Intelligence Investigations & Enforcement, Jamie Bamford, says establishing a joint team “Immigration NZ, Customs and MPI are currently developing allows agencies to share the cost of specialist resources and an analytics pilot focused on passenger data which will leverage the risk and intelligence capability and tools of the enable both facilitation and targeted intervention.” three agencies. “The risk and intelligence tools, developed by the Joint Border Management System programme Team established to pinpoint border risk [Online]: (December (JBMS), are the backbone of the team, boosting existing risk 5, 2016): http://www.customs.govt.nz/news/stories/Pages/ assessment processes, and providing analytics capability on Team-established-to-pinpoint-border-risk-05122016.aspx a par with our international border partners.”
Mr. Bamford says millions of border transactions are
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CANINES BOOST PROTECTION AT NEW ZEALAND BORDER AND PRISONS
Source: NZ Customs Service
For New Zealand Corrections, this course was the first to use Customs detector dogs are recruited for their attitude, a new dog training area at the National Learning Centre, as temperament, and are trained to detect a wide variety of drugs well as facilities at the Police Dog Training Centre. such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA (ecstasy), amphetamine, Corrections’ Dog Section celebrated its 25th anniversary in methamphetamine (‘P’) and its precursors. 2016. The Dog Section has expanded from just two handlers “This year’s Budget has provided funding to boost Customs when it began, to a total of 19 detector dog teams in prisons detector dog capability from 15 to 20 teams,” says Danielle. around the country. Over the years, the Dog Section has “The 5 new teams are a welcome addition as we head into developed and adapted to changing demands of new policies the peak summer travel season,” says Danielle. and legislation, new types of contraband and new methods of introducing contraband into our prisons. Aviation Security is the branch of the Civil Aviation Authority responsible for providing security services at New Zealand’s Corrections’ Manager Specialist Search John Gallagher says, five security-designated airports. Its prestigious explosive “New Zealand’s working dogs have proven very effective at detector dog (EDD) training programme was officially detecting contraband and acting as a deterrent, discouraging recognised by the United States’ Transportation Security people from trying to smuggle illicit items into prisons, or the Administration in 2014—a world-first acknowledgement. country. Interagency cooperation is a very important part of Aviation Security EDD National Manager Monique Masoe our job,” says John. “We have good relationships with our says, “As an EDD, our dogs enjoy a great life and do an partner agencies and work closely with them to ensure we important job—not just for Avsec, but for the travelling public are keeping up with new types of contraband and new ways and airport community.” smuggling it.” The organisation now has 28 teams working around the The newest additions to Corrections’ detector dog team country. will be based at Mt Eden Corrections Facility, Auckland Prison, Spring Hill Corrections Facility, Rimutaka Prison and Savvy sniffers boost protection at NZ border and prisons Christchurch Men’s Prison, while the Customs detector dogs [Online]: (December 8, 2016): http://www.customs.govt.nz/ will be deployed to Auckland and Christchurch. news/stories/Pages/Savvy-sniffers-boost-protection-at- Chief Customs Officer Detector Dog Unit and Response, NZ-border-and-prisons-08122016.aspx Danielle Loza says “detector dogs play a vital role in Customs’ multi-layered approach to enforcement at the border, helping stop illicit drugs and cash from getting into New Zealand.”
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MAJOR NARCOTICS SEIZURES IN PAKISTAN
the PSMA. The source said that the smugglers are being grilled and an international Based on information, the Pakistan network of the narcotics smugglers Maritime Security Agency deployed will be unearthed very soon. In its ships on different locations of the last three months, it was the third international sea route. On the night of major successful narcotics seizure. January 2, the officers of the Customs The Pakistan Customs Intelligence Source: Customs Today and PSMA forced a boat to stop after and Investigations ASO, along with a three hours chase. The officials Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, KARACHI: Directorate of Customs recovered 1.5 ton narcotics from the has successfully carried out fourth Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) hidden compartments of the boat. operation during the last three months, Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) The international market value of the added the sources. and Pakistan Maritime Security narcotics is said to be Rs 1.2 billion. Agency (PSMA) have recovered 1.5 Customs ASO, PSMA seize 1.5 ton ton narcotics worth Rs 1.2 billion and The source said that the consignment narcotics in joint operation [Online}: arrested ten smugglers during a joint was designated for US and Europe (January 6, 2017): http://www. operation. According to details, the markets though East Africa where customstoday.com.pk/customs-ii- Pakistan Customs Intelligence and crystal drugs are in huge demand. psma-holds-mega-seizure-1-5tons- Investigations received information During the raid, ten smugglers were narcotics-recovered-10-busted/ that a huge quantity of drugs was being also apprehended and an FIR has been smuggled through international sea lodged against them. route on which the officers contacted
PHILIPPINES BUREAU OF CUSTOMS PARTNERS WITH CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY
In its latest move to promote said. He also explained the vital role transparency, the Bureau of Customs of access to information in fighting all has signed a Memorandum of forms of graft and corruption in the Agreement (MOA) with civil society government. To ensure public trust, the organizations Coalition of Clean government must establish a system Air Advocates of the Philippines of transparency, hence BOC allowed (CCAAP), United Filipino Consumers civil society groups to access records Source: Philippines Bureau Of Customs and Commuters (UFCC), Green Team that are vital to public information. Luntiang Pangarap, and Santinig “The fight against graft and corruption Earlier initiatives of the Bureau for Philippines. could not be done successfully by transparency include the installation of the singular effort of the Bureau of CCTV cameras in the agency’s frontline The MOA states that Customs Customs. We need the collaboration of offices and the online live-streaming of has agreed to open its records of all stakeholders and those concerned. these cameras. transactions to the public and to Only by working together we can fight the civil society groups, pursuant to corruption,” he explained. “Hopefully, before the term of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive President ends, we will have a Bureau Order on the freedom of information. Atty. Marlon Melodias of the BOC of Customs that everybody can be Legal Service added that the latest proud of,” Deputy Commissioner In a press conference on Monday, administration is indeed committed Lachica said. 14 November, at the Manila Hotel, to creating a transparent and corrupt- Deputy Commissioner Arturo Lachica free government. “On the very first day BOC partners with civil society groups said that the Bureau is aiming to of Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon’s to promote transparency [Online]: eliminate corruption in the government assumption to office, the number one (November 16, 2016): http://customs. through transparency. “When we are order of the day was to improve the gov.ph/boc-partners-with-civil-society- transparent, then the transactions that delivery of services to the public, and groups-to-promote-transparency/ we are doing in the Bureau of Customs foremost of which is the elimination of are open to the public, and therefore corruption in the Bureau,” he said. it will stand in the test of scrutiny,” he
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HEADS OF AGENCY MEETING BETWEEN AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE AND THE THAI CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT
Commissioner and the Director-General of the TCD gave a joint presentation for certificates of appreciation to Thai Customs officers and ABF officers who participated in the Red Tags operation.
The Heads of Agency Meeting between the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Thai Customs Department led by Mr. Roman Quaedvlieg, ABF Commissioner and Mr. Kulit The Meeting concluded with a signing ceremony of the “Update Sombatsiri, the Director-General of Thai Customs was held 1: Program of Cooperation August 2016 - August 2018” on 18 November 2016 in Bangkok, Thailand, in order to and the Action Plan for Mutual Recognition Arrangements strengthen the bilateral relationship between both parties of the Authorised Economic Operators Programs (AEO and review the progress against the Thai Customs-ABF MRA). The updated Program set out the current priorities Program of Cooperation. for cooperation between the two Administrations focusing on information sharing and cooperation, border protection, At the Meeting, the two Customs Administrations shared counter/terrorism/civil maritime security, human resource information and experiences, and discussed the progress development, border technologies and trade facilitation/ against the Program of Cooperation between Thai Customs supply chain security, whereas the AEO MRA is one of the and ABF, namely, ‘Red Tag’ – joint operation in international key activity under the Program of Cooperation. mail using X-ray screening and counter terrorism/security joint-training program. After the discussions, the ABF
VIETNAM SAVES MORE THAN 12,000 BILLION VND THROUGH TRADE FACILITATIONS
Minister Vuong Dinh Hue – Head of the National Steering Committee.
Attendants of the session were the Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung – Deputy Head of the National Steering Committee and the Committee’s members.
Reduce time In a report of the results of implementation of the ASW, NSW and trade facilitation, the Director General of the General Department of Customs, Nguyen Van Can, a member of the National Steering Committee acknowledged that for implementation of NSW, Vietnam and 5 countries (Brunei, Source: Customs News VN, Image by Huu Linh the Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand) have signed a decree on the legal framework of ASW implementation. This was remarkable information mentioned in the first Moreover, Vietnam has successfully connected with 4 session of the National Steering Committee on the ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore) to Single Window (ASW), National Single Window (NSW) exchange Certificate of Origin Form D for goods originated and trade facilitations (the Committee), on the morning from ASEAN and to be ready for operation when the Protocol of 8 December, 2016 at the headquarters of the General on the legal framework to implement the ASEAN Single Department of Customs, chaired by the Deputy Prime Window which was approved by all 10 member countries.
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VIETNAM SAVES MORE THAN 12,000 BILLION VND THROUGH TRADE FACILITATIONS (CONTINUED
Regarding the NSW, until November 2016, there have been sources of equipment, and people for performance that will 10 of 14 ministries and departments in connection. The reduce investment from the State budget and improve the volume of administrative procedures posted on the NSW efficiency. (excluding the Ministry of Finance) was 36 procedures. The Ministry of National Defense has connected with the NSW Lieutenant-General Tran Don – Deputy Minister of National portal to implement defense procedures electronically in Defense stated, to achieve the targets in the coming time, some international ports. Total administrative procedures we must enhance awareness and responsibility of the handled on the NSW portal until 25 November 2016 were leaders of ministries, especially Ministers and consider around 213,000 records, with participation of more than the implementation of ASW, NSW and trade facilitation as 8,350 enterprises that regularly operate in this field. the top important political objective of each ministry and department. Concerning trade facilitation, according to the assessment of the World Bank, Vietnam’s indicators of goods transport Furthermore, representatives of some Ministries and across the borders increased 15 levels over 2015 (from the Departments also requested the Committee to issue more rank of 108 to 93 of 190 economies in supervision) and specific plans for each year and proposed the Government is one of the top four countries in the area (together with to solve some obstacles during performance, especially Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand). investment funds.
Processing time for export procedures has been reduced Strive to be a member of ASEAN 4 group to 108 hours and processing time for import procedures Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue concluded: he highly reduced to 138 hours. Preparation time for import appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and some procedures reduced 30 hours (from 106 hour to 76 hours) ministries and departments (Transportation, Industry and and preparation time for export procedures reduced 33 Trade, Agriculture and Rural Development and Health Affairs) hours (from 83 hours to 50 hours). in implementation of ASW, NSW and trade facilitation during the past time. Based on a report of the World Bank, average expense for record preparation (for both import and export procedures) The achieved results played an important part in publicity in Vietnam was estimated at about $US 2.5 per hour. and transparency to approach to the socialization and Accordingly, the reduction of 30 hours compared to 2015 reduce harassment and disadvantages to support the was estimated to save $US 75 for record preparation for establishment of the modern national administration. each shipment (import and export). Counting about 8 million However, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged that import and export shipments to October, 2016, savings to implement the requirements of tasks and targets in on record preparation was estimated at $US 600 million the coming time, the workload set is very large. Thus, the (equivalent to 12,000 billion vnd) “- the General Director National Steering Committee has set the target from now to Nguyen Van Cam emphasized. 2020, of all administrative procedures related to the State management for transited and import-export goods, and Specialized inspections socialized transit of people and import-export means of transportation At the session, under the direction of the Deputy Prime to be implemented through the NSW under public services Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, attendants focused on discussing at level 4, and joined in and deployed fully with the ASW in solutions to reach important targets in implementation of accordance with the implementation roadmap of the ASEAN ASW, NSW and trade facilitation in the coming time. countries; and be ready for technical aspects to connect and exchange information with other commercial partners The Minister of Finance Dinh Tien Dung said that, the outside ASEAN under the treaties and agreements that implementation of ASW, NSW and trade facilitation is Vietnam has signed. confirmation of commitments of the Government and policy on facilitation for the business community. To achieve Notably, by 2020, Vietnam will reach a level equal to the the related targets, the problems relating to specialized group of four leading countries in ASEAN on clearance time inspection for import and export activity should be settled. and clearance of goods, people and vehicles. At present, 10 specialized inspection locations have been To achieve these important targets, the Deputy Prime built in 8 key provinces. Thus, there needs to be a preliminary Minister requires in the coming time, in addition to the assessment and multiplication. To perform effectively, measures proposed by the Ministry of Finance (the General the Minister proposed to socialize the implementation of Department of Customs), that ministries and departments specialized inspection locations with managing authorities should continue to attempt to increase the quantity, quality issuing standards and mobilize socialized investment and effectiveness of administrative procedures joining in
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
VIETNAM SAVES MORE THAN 12,000 BILLION VND THROUGH TRADE FACILITATIONS (CONTINUED
NSW. “Although a lot of procedures are required, they are not National Steering Committee, the Deputy Prime Minister effective for the business community, which does not make approved with the comments of many representatives to sense” – the Deputy Prime Minister stressed. locate it in the General Department of Customs.
At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister directed Binh, T./ Trang, H. (December 12, 2016): More than 12,000 ministries to strengthen promotion on the efficiency and billion vnd is saved by trade facilitations [Online]: http:// benefits of ASW, NSW and trade facilitation; and enhance customsnews.vn/more-than-12000-billion-vnd-is-saved-by- the sense of responsibility of ministries, especially those trade-facilitations-2011.html ministers and their ministries continue to review and complete regulations on simplified specialized inspections.
On the model of establishing the Standing Agency of the
VIETNAM CUSTOMS IMPLEMENT RULES, DISCIPLINE AND ADMINISTRATION
the next 5 years, and achieved initial results toward to the depth and passed the “shadow of itself” and created a solid basis for the deployment of IT application in the coming years.
About the orientations of IT application in the coming time, the Deputy General Director Nguyen Cong Binh said that the target is developing the IT system by 2020 to be an intelligent system, centrally processing on a modern technology platform and possible to be ready at the high level on the Source: Customs News, Image by Hong Van basis of tight integration with the information systems of the involved parties; and meeting the requirements of the On the morning of 10 January 2017, the General Department Customs administration in accordance with international of Vietnam Customs held an online conference to summarize standards “Anytime - Anywhere – Any means”. its performance in 2016 and deploy tasks for 2017 with 35 videoconference points in local Customs. The delegates of Based on achieved results, in 2017, IT application will the conference were Deputy Ministers of Finance, Vu Thi Mai focus on: Deploying comprehensively the IT application to and Do Hoang Anh Tuan, and Director General of Vietnam improve Customs administration; Providing 100% of online Customs Nguyen Van Can who chaired the conference. public services; Deploying successfully the National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window; Ensuring the conditions There was a change in this conference, instead of listening to of technical infrastructure meeting the requirements on the reports, the delegates watched videos summarizing the stability, security and safety of IT deployment; and Enhancing performance result in 2016 of Customs and orientations and IT application in internal Customs. tasks for 2017. This showed that Customs completed many tasks assigned in 2016. In which the highlight achievements Speech on the measures of anti-fraud solutions to complete are in: State budget collection; post clearance audits, anti- the task of the State Budget revenue at the Conference, smuggling and anti-trade fraud; and reform of administrative Director of Import –Export Tax Department Luu Manh procedures and risk management. Tuong emphasized that in 2017, Customs will continue to At the Conference, Deputy Director General Nguyen Cong enhance anti-trade fraud. To properly implement this task, Binh reported on IT measures meeting the requirements for the General Department of Vietnam Customs proposed the Customs administration and effective implementation of Ministry of Finance to fix the inadequacies in cost value Government Resolutions (Resolution No. 19-2015/NQ-CP, in Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC dated 25 March 2015 of the Resolution No. 19-2016/NQ-CP, Resolution No. 35/NQ-CP Ministry of Finance, and appointed the Directors of Customs and Resolution No. 36a/NQ-CP). In which, he stressed that Departments in provinces and cities based on the actual in 2016, with great determination and displaying intelligence situation and resources of units to implement consultations, at high level with strong political spirit and spirit of daring post clearance audits and ensure the unified management to think and daring to act, the IT application in Customs of inspections and valuations under Customs clearance achieved good results, clarified the way of IT application in and after Customs clearance, and assign civil servants who have been trained in cost value and have practical skills and
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NEWS FROM THE REGION
VIETNAM CUSTOMS IMPLEMENT RULES, DISCIPLINE AND ADMINISTRATION (CONTINUED) experiences in consultation or post clearance audits; and and disciplines in Hanoi Customs Department and Deputy organize practical training courses to train officers and civil Director of Quang Ninh Customs Department Nguyen Van servants who work with pricing. Nghiem presented Customs management for goods of residents in border areas.
All proposals of local Customs were listened to carefully and answered at the Conference by the leaders of the General Department of Customs.
Assigned by the Minister of Finance, attending and speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister Do Hoang Anh Tuan complimented, recognized and highly appreciated the efforts to achieve the significant results in 2016 of Customs and concurrently stressed some key tasks that must be Source: Customs News, Image by Hong Van drastically and effectively implemented in 2017. As the Deputy Minister in charge of Customs from 1 January The speech on the enhancement of management and 2017, speaking at the conference, Deputy Minister Vu Thi supervision of goods across border gates, seaports and Mai confirmed to closely accompany with Customs to airports, and the State management on Customs for implement the tasks in 2017. Deputy Minister Vu Thi Mai processing and manufacturing activities for export, and also hopes that Customs will continue to proactively develop processing enterprises by Deputy Director of Customs the achieved results in 2016 to successfully implement the Supervision and Management Department Au Anh Tuan tasks in 2017 mentioned measures for Customs administration in the coming time, focusing on: Building a legal basis on On behalf of all Customs civil servants, the General Director connection and information exchange with units doing Nguyen Van Can was pleased to follow the directions of the business in warehouses, yards and ports in Customs two Deputy Ministers. According to the Director General, the supervision; Building an overall IT system for connection lessons learned from the implementation of political tasks and information exchange with units doing business in in 2016 were solidarity associated with rules and disciplines, warehouses, yards and ports in Customs supervision; and drastic implementation of assigned tasks. Thus, in 2017, Building an IT system to connect and support enterprises Customs will thoroughly assign to all civil servants, officers in announcing their manufacturing establishments and and employees to carry out the key tasks and strive to reach reporting their final accounting to Customs authorities; 290,000 billion vnd of State revenue. and Organizing to implement and train Customs skills The Director General Nguyen Van Can noted that 2017 will and operations supporting inspections for Customs civil be the year that Customs implements rules and disciplines servants. toward administration, but not affecting commercial activities as well as not causing difficulties and troubles and Director General Nguyen Van Can requested units to focus harassments for enterprises. These two parallel tasks will be on: Evaluating operational activities, building the forces drastically deployed by Customs. implemented in 2016 and especially focusing on measures to carry out the tasks in 2017, including reforming, modernizing Trang, T. /Trang, H. (January 12, 2017): 2017: Customs and improving the management capacity of Customs. implement rules, discipline and administration [Online]: http://customsnews.vn/2017-customs-implement-rules- Many presentations were made at the conference such discipline-and-administration-2348.html as: a presentation of the Director of Hai Phong Customs Department, Nguyen Tien Loc on the shortcomings in goods management in the ports and proposals for management measures for this type; presentation of Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, Ly Ma Thong on deployment of keys tasks of the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department; presentation of Director of Quang Tri Customs Department, Bui Thanh San on experiences in anti-smuggling and anti-trade fraud in Quang Tri; Director of Hanoi Customs Department Nguyen Van Truong reported on the topic of adjustment of management and implementation of the rules
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65TH INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY
FIJI
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority celebrated International Customs Day (ICD) on the 26th January at the Revenue and Customs Services complex in Suva, Fiji with the theme Data Analysis for Effective Border Management. In his keynote address, the Chief Guest, Mr. Visvanath Das, WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Vice-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Services Authority, highlighted the critical role that data analysis plays in Customs.
Mr. Das stated that data generated from the core functions of Customs such as trade facilitation, border security and revenue collection assist the Government in the design and implementation of effective policies.
He also noted that through the analysis of data, customs administrations would be able to provide actionable insights to prevent and tackle fraud and risks.
Invited guests in attendance at the celebrations consisted of representatives from numerous Fiji government departments and as well as stakeholder organisations. The Head of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Secretariat, an organisation that consists of 23 customs administrations of Oceania, Mr. Seve Paeniu, was also present to observe the event. As part of the initiatives to mark International Customs Day, 20 WCO Certificates of Merit, signed by the Secretary General of the organisation, Mr. Kuniyo Mikuriya, where awarded to Customs officers, key partners and stakeholders in recognition of their contributions towards Fiji Customs modernisation journey.
THAILAND
Thai Customs’ Celebration of the International Customs Day 2017: Thai Customs awarded the Certificates of Merit from WCO to outstanding Customs officials playing a key role in “Data Analysis for Effective Border Management.”
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65TH INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS DAY
INDONESIA
The 65th International Customs Day was commemorated by and tools, as well as its capacity building programme. It WCO members with the theme of the year ‘Data Analysis’, and is expected that DGCE officer can take this opportunity to the slogan ‘Data Analysis for Effective Border Management’. get to know more about the WCO, and also can utiize its Indonesian Customs – Directorate General of Customs and instrument and tools to support their operational activities. Excise (DGCE) held a ceremony at its headquarters on 26th January 2017.
During her speech, Minister of Finance stated that Customs success in its function as a revenue collector, community protector, trade facilitator, and industrial assistance can not be separated from the role of a supporting unit that provides accurate data through effective and efficient data analysis. Minister of Finance are very proud of Customs performance at the border which has been successful in many cases, moreover, using data analysis tools developed independently. In order to appreciate the hard work, the Minister presented WCO Certificate of Merit to 17 Customs officials and 3 companies who had demonstrated their commitment to the Data Analysis theme.
On that occasion, the Minister also announced that during 2015-2016, forty companies have been certified as Authorized Economic Operator (AEO). This number will continue to grow along with the increasing of Indonesia’s international trade volume.
In addition to ceremony, DGCE also organized an exhibition to introduce the WCO, including the secretariat, instrument
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CAPACITY BUILDING
MODERNISATION AND REFORMS WORKSHOP IN FIJI
a Regional Workshop on Customs Modernisation and Reform for the Pacific. Nineteen representatives from 16 Pacific Island Customs administrations participated in the workshop which was arranged by the OCO with the aims of strengthening the capacity of its Members to understand the concepts of Customs Modernisation and Reforms along with the necessary requirements to implement such reforms. Risk and compliance management as well as the design and implementation of strategic planning for “The World Customs Organisation is committed to assisting Customs administrations to adopt management techniques its Members with the implementation of international and strategies to support the capacity-building effort and Customs standards and broad modernization.” the reform and modernization process were also key points covered during the workshop. These were the words of the WCO Vice-Chair Asia/Pacific region, Mr. Visvanath Das at the opening of the Modernization During the opening remarks, Mr. Visvanath Das, Vice-Chair and Reforms Workshop held at the Regional Training Centre of the World Customs Organization Asia/Pacific Region and at the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority, Suva from Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Revenue and Customs November 21st – 26th, 2016. Authority highlighted the role of the WCO in supporting its Members with reform and modernisation. The result of this is The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) under the a more comprehensive, needs-driven and focused approach. sponsorship of the European Union Trade Facilitation in Mr. Das also stressed the need for Customs administrations Custom Cooperation (EU TFCC) Project in coordination to be more responsive and stated that an understanding is with partner organisations such as the World Customs required of issues such as globalization, the dynamics of Organization (WCO), Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority, international trade, the technicalities of trade supply chain, New Zealand Customs Service, New Zealand Business emerging policy directions and the complexities of the global Council, World Bank, Pacific Financial Technical Assistance landscape. Centre (PFTAC) and Charles Stuart University organized
WCO ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON INTELLIGENCE-LED RISK MANAGEMENT
General of the Indian Customs Training Center (NACEN), and representatives of the CCF-Japan, WCO and ROCB A/P highlighted the importance of intelligence, risk management and pre-arrival cargo information in Customs’ daily work. They also emphasized the relationship between risk-based cargo selectivity and effective resource allocation and trade facilitation.
Source: World Customs Organization Certain elements of intelligence support to risk management at the organizational level were covered throughout the Twenty-five representatives from 20 Customs Workshop while the main focus was given to intelligence administrations in the Asia/Pacific Region participated in support to operational risk management (e.g. security treats the WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Workshop on Intelligence- and related types of customs fraud). Main components of Led Risk Management from 21 to 25 November 2016. pre-arrival and pre-loading advance cargo information were also covered. Workshop included a number of group tasks, The Workshop, held at the WCO Regional Training Centre practical exercises, case studies and country presentations. in Faridabad-India, was organized in cooperation with India Each session was followed by lively discussions, questions Customs and the Asia/Pacific Regional Office for Capacity and answers. Building (ROCB A/P), with the sponsorship of the Japanese Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF-Japan). Throughout the group works and country presentations, participants entered into in-depth discussions on how to During the opening remarks; Mr. P. K. Dash, Director identify high-risk cargo by utilizing advance cargo information
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CAPACITY BUILDING
WCO ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON INTELLIGENCE-LED RISK MANAGEMENT and the methodology explained in the WCO Customs Risk WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Workshop on Intelligence-Led Management Compendium. Case studies and practical Risk Management [Online]: (November 30, 2016): http:// exercises also contributed to deepening an understanding www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2016/november/ of the topics. wco-asia-pacific-regional-workshop-on-intelligence-led-risk- management.aspx
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMS CONDUCTED BY JAPAN CUSTOMS FROM OCTOBER 2016 TO JANUARY 2017
Training Course for Thailand on Training Management Observation on CTI (Training Course for Lao PDR on Training Management) From October 2016 to January 2017, Japan Customs organized 9 seminars in the fields of Post Clearance Audit respect to HRD and Training Management in Asia Pacific (PCA), Risk Management, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Region through Customs Cooperation Fund/Japan. and so on. A total of 111 Customs officials from 4 countries in Asia Pacific Region (Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Seminars organized by Japan Customs (from October 2016 Thailand) participated in these seminars. to January 2017) Date Seminar Title Number of Among those 9 seminars, 2 seminars on “Training participants Management” were conducted for Thai Customs department October *Training Course on Post Clearance 10 as well as Lao Customs department respectively in 2016 Audit for Lao PDR responding to keen interests in this subject. During these seminars, the policy of Human Resource Development *Training Course for Cambodia on 4 (HRD) as well as practices on Japan Customs’ training Intelligence management activities, such as strategic training planning, system and November *Training Course for Cambodia on 12 operations were shared by Customs Training Institute (CTI) IPR Protection and regional Customs in Japan. Besides, throughout the intensive discussion, national practices, challenges and *Training Course for Thailand on 12 possible solutions as the way forward were also actively Training Management exchanged among participants and Japan Customs officials *Training Course for Cambodia on 12 in order to explore effective and efficient HRD in respective Post Clearance Audit countries. At the end of the seminars, all the participants December JICA Study Visit for Thailand on 21 shared the view that effective training management is an Operation and Management for Rule engine to strengthen each Customs administration. It was of Origin in Japan Customs very beneficial not only for the participants from Thailand or Lao PDR but also for Japan. January *Workshop for Indonesia on Customs 15 2017 Valuation and Post Clearance Audit
HRD is a key driving element for Customs modernization JICA Seminar for Malaysia on Rule 15 and successful sustainable capacity building, and effective of Origin Training Management ensures adequate human resources *Training Course on Training 10 with professional knowledge and skills. In this regard, Management for Lao PDR Japan Customs would like to continue to support further * :- Course implemented under the Japan Customs enhancement of regional capacity building activities with Technical Co-operation Program 2016/2017.
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CAPACITY BUILDING
SRI LANKA CUSTOMS HOSTS RISK ASSESSMENT AND SELECTIVITY WORKSHOP
The WCO, in cooperation with Sri Lanka Customs and with the sponsorship of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Korea, organized a Risk Assessment and Selectivity Workshop in Colombo, Sri Lanka from 12 to 16 December 2016. The workshop was attended by 31 participants from Customs’ Headquarters and field-level offices.
The workshop was opened by Mr. W.A. Chulananda Perera, the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs. During the Source: World Customs Organization opening remarks, Mr. Chulananda Perera, as well as the WCO representative, highlighted the importance of adopting a holistic Lanka Customs. Also, during the five day session, participants approach to risk management implementation. They indicated discussed how to identify and address risks, as well as, how to that by applying risk management techniques Customs will develop an effective profile by using the methodology explained do more with less. They also emphasized the relationship in the WCO Customs Risk Management Compendium. Case between risk-based selectivity and effective resource allocation, studies and practical exercises also contributed to their further facilitation and control. Throughout the Workshop, several topics understanding of the various topics. were covered, relating to the organizational and operational aspects of risk management. Risk-based cargo and passenger During the closing ceremony, each participant was jointly selectivity, including information and intelligence, were the focus awarded a certificate of attendance by the Sri Lanka Customs’ areas of the programme. Most of the sessions were followed by Additional Directors General, Mr. S. Rajendran, and Mr. A. group tasks, practical exercises, case studies, and the showing Senanayake, and also the WCO Workshop facilitators. of related short videos. Sri Lanka Customs hosts Risk Assessment and Selectivity Workshop [Online]: (December 21, 2016): http://www.wcoomd. Following the sessions on information and intelligence, org/en/media/newsroom/2016/december/sri-lanka-customs- participants drafted a document in order to identify possible hosts-risk-assessment-and-selectivity-workshop.aspx measures to enhance the existing intelligence capacity of Sri
WCO WORKSHOP ON CUSTOMS VALUATION AND TRANSFER PRICING FOR THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT OF THAILAND
examination of related party transactions to determine whether the declared price has been influenced by the relationship between the buyer and seller.
On the final day, representatives of PriceWaterhouseCoopers gave presentations on the business perspective of this issue which was well received by the participants. The workshop was Source: World Customs Organization kindly funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China; the first such event funded by China for Thai Customs. From 21 to 25 November, the WCO conducted a workshop for the Thai Customs Department in Bangkok on Customs valuation and The TCCV has established the principle that information derived transfer pricing. The programme commenced with a refresher from transfer pricing documentation may be useful to Customs on the key principles of the WTO Valuation Agreement and when examining related party transactions and published the presentations on recent decisions of the Technical Committee first case study based on this approach earlier this year. The on Customs Valuation, focusing on issues relevant to multi- WCO has published a Guide to Customs Valuation and Transfer national enterprises, such as royalties and licence fees. Around Pricing which provides technical information and sets out good 70 officials from the Thai Customs department and 20 from the practices for Customs, Tax and business in this area. The Thai Tax department participated in the event. initiative by Thai Customs to invite representatives from the Thai Tax department to this event provides a good example of At the opening ceremony, the Director-General of Customs, Mr. closer cooperation between Tax and Customs, as advocated K. Sombatsiri welcomed participants from both the Customs in the WCO Guidelines for Strengthening Cooperation and and Tax departments and encouraged all present to enrich their Exchange of Information between Customs and Tax Authorities knowledge during the event. The main topic for the workshop at the National Level. was the relationship between Customs valuation and transfer pricing. A session was delivered by representatives of the Thai WCO workshop on Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing for the Tax department on the topic of transfer pricing which was Customs department of Thailand [Online]: (December 2, 2016): helpful in enhancing the knowledge of the Customs participants. http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2016/december/ The WCO facilitators gave details of relevant cases developed by wco-workshop-on-customs-valuation-and-transfer-pricing-for-the- the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) where customs-department-of-thailand.aspx transfer pricing information is consulted by Customs during the
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ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING (ROCB)
WELCOME DR. TONG HUA, OUR NEW COLLEAGUE FROM CHINA CUSTOMS
At the end of October 2016, a long-awaited as Acting Director of General Theory colleague arrived from Shanghai, China, and Department in China Customs Research started his 4-year assignment at the ROCB Center and led a series of researches, such A/P, succeeding Mr. Cheng Jing who returned as the Customs capacity building and higher to the Shanghai Customs College (SCC) in education, the development of International June 2016. Dr. Tong Hua has PhD in Pedagogy Customs organization and the development (International Education Relations). His of the national Customs strategy. The ROCB work at the SCC included the responsibility A/P firmly believes that his high qualification for the establishment and enhancement of will greatly add value to the undertakings of international exchange relations with key the Office. players all over the world, and involvement in international Customs capacity building For more information, please visit the ROCB projects. From 2011 to 2013, he worked A/P’s homepage at www.rocb-ap.org.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE WCO’S SPONSORED PROGRAMS FOR CUSTOMS PROFESSIONALISM
Given the dramatic and steady advances in the global trade environment and business practices, Customs officials need to be equipped with the appropriate knowledge and expertise in a variety of domains. Under the auspices of the WCO’s capacity building agenda, the advancement of Customs professionalism forms an integral part of the Customs modernization. ‘Knowledge Customs’ is one of the building blocks for the 21st Century Customs model. With the generous support of Japan Customs, the WCO opens the nomination for the (i) WCO/Japan Career Development Program 2017/18 (Professional Associate program at the WCO Secretariat), and (ii) WCO Scholarship Program 2017- 2018 (Master’s level studies and training in Customs related fields in the Public Finance Program at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Japan). A/P Member administrations are strongly encouraged to take advantage the Scholarship Program is 10 February 2017. For more of these programs. Please be advised that the due date detailed information, including qualification and application for the application for the Career Development Program process, please visit the WCO Member Website at http:// (Professional Associate) is 17 March 2017, and that for www.wcoomd.org/en.aspx (user ID and password required).
ANNUAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS SURVEY IS UNDERWAY
Under the current WCO A/P Regional Strategic Plan (RSP) shown in the cover letter before 22 February 2017 by fax or 2016-2018, Japan Customs (Regional Training Coordinator) e-mail. and the ROCB A/P are responsible for conducting an annual capacity building needs survey. The objective of Members’ replies and inputs are critically important as this survey is to obtain information from Member Customs these replies to this survey are the primary sources for the administrations in the WCO A/P region on the latest needs development of the said annual capacity building plan, which and priorities of capacity building. For the purpose of the should accommodate the Members’ needs and priorities. afore-mentioned survey, a set of questionnaires along with a Japan Customs and the ROCB A/P once again would like to cover letter and explanatory notes was circulated from Japan cordially invite the WCO Member Customs administrations Tariff Association, a contract agent with Japan Customs, on to reply before the due date. 13 January 2017. All of the WCO Member administrations are kindly requested to fill in the respective questionnaires and send them back to the designated contact point as
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ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING (ROCB)
PUBLICATION OF THE ROCB A/P E-NEWSLETTER NO. 55
In January 2017, the ROCB A/P published its 55th E-Newsletter on its homepage (http://www.rocb-ap.org). This latest publication features the ROCB A/P’s activities undertaken in the 4th quarter of 2016, namely from September 2016 through December 2016, which includes the representation of the WCO to other fora and organization of the WCO Regional and National Workshops.
It also features the interim summation of the ROCB A/P’s Survey on the Follow-Up Actions taken after the Participation in the WCO Regional Workshop in the FY2015/16 (please refer to the subsequent article).
The ROCB A/P expresses its appreciation for the regional Members’ active participation in the Workshops and great dedication of the accredited resource persons dispatched by the requested Member administrations in the A/P region.
At the same time, the ROCB A/P calls for the Member administrations’ candid and constructive comments and suggestions to the ROCB A/P’s undertakings so that the Office may better serve to the region.
INTERIM SUMMATION OF THE ROCB A/P’S REGIONAL WORKSHOP FOLLOW-UP ACTION SURVEY 2015/16
In order to optimize the effectiveness of regional capacity building assistance programs, the ROCB A/P encourages the workshop participants to apply lessons learned to their daily operations wherever appropriate and disseminate pertinent information to the right people in a timely manner. In this regard, in 2015, the ROCB A/P has initiated a “Survey on the Follow-Up Actions taken after the Participation in the WCO Regional Workshop” (hereinafter referred to as “the Survey”) on the WCO Sub-/Regional Workshops organized in the FY 2014/15, and developed a questionnaire template. The Survey intended to collect pertinent information on the modalities of the follow-up actions taken at their respective home administrations in the wake of participation in the WCO Sub-/Regional Workshops. Rather, it was to take a ‘snapshot’ Of the 19 workshops, excluding 3 regional workshops for of the impact the capacity building assistance programs has the accreditation of Customs experts, 16 were subject to had on the regional Member administration’s performance this second round of the Follow-Up Action Survey in 2016. efficiency and effectiveness. It was also expected that the The ROCB A/P circulated questionnaires to all participants circulation of the questionnaire would remind the workshop approximately 6 months after the workshops had been participants of their expected roles and encourage them to organized. continuous utilize the skills and knowledge they have gained, wherever possible, after the respective regional capacity The interim study of the replies to the Survey shows building assistance programs. us number of good follow-up practices and positive implications accrued from the Regional workshops. These In the FY2015/16 (July 2015 – June 2016), the ROCB A/P good follow-up practices include, among other things, (i) organized a total of 19 Sub-/Regional Workshops, which is wider use of intranet to share WCO Workshop materials the largest number in a single year in the ROCB A/P’s history. with their colleagues; and (ii) increased organization of in-
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ASIA/PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE FOR CAPACITY BUILDING (ROCB)
INTERIM SUMMATION OF THE ROCB A/P’S REGIONAL WORKSHOP FOLLOW-UP ACTION SURVEY 2015/16 house cascade workshops in more Member administrations. Positive implications of these capacity building assistance programs are, for examples, (i) nearly two-thirds of the replies indicated realization of direct effects in various forms; and (ii) nearly half of the replies indicated that the Regional Workshops led to initiating modernization projects or complementing on-going projects. Because of the limited space made available, it is not possible to introduce specific examples of these good practices and positive implications, but they have been compiled in the Interim Summation of the Survey in the latest ROCB A/P E-Newsletter No. 55, which was published in January 2017, as a Special Topic. For more information, please have a look at our latest More detailed analysis and study is underway, and will E-Newsletter on the ROCB A/P homepage at www.rocb-ap. be published as the ROCB A/P Good Practice Paper on org or write to [email protected]. Exemplifying Follow-Up Actions in February 2017.
UPCOMING EVENTS
EVENT DATE VENUE 17th Meeting of SAFE Working Group 1-3 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium WCO Meeting for Heads of Global ROCBs-RTCs-VCs 2-3 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium WCO Capacity Building Committee Meeting 7-9 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium WCO Integrity Sub-Committee 9-10 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium Working Party of Harmonized System Committee 13-14 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium 18th WCO A/P Regional Heads of Customs Administrations Conference 14-16 Mar. 2017 Suva, Fiji 59th Session of Harmonized System Committee 15-24 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium WCO Sub-Regional Workshop on Rules of Origin for ASEAN Member administrations 20-24 Mar. 2017 Melaka, Malaysia 36th Session of Enforcement Committee 27-31 Mar. 2017 Brussels, Belgium 215th/216th Sessions of Permanent Technical Committee 3-6 Apr. 2017 Brussels, Belgium 100th Session of Finance Committee 10-13 Apr. 2017 Brussels, Belgium WCO Regional Workshop on ICT Master Class 19-28 Apr. 2017 Cheonan, Korea WCO-UPU Workshop on Security Screening of Postal Items 1-5 May 2017 Sydney, Australia 44th Meeting of Technical Committee on Customs Valuation 8-12 May 2017 Brussels, Belgium Data Model Project Team 15-17 May 2017 Brussels, Belgium WCO Regional Workshop on IPR Regional Joint Action Follow-Up 15-18 May 2017 Kashiwa, Japan 72nd Meeting of Information Management Sub-Committee (IMSC) 18-19 May 2017 Brussels, Belgium 21st Global RILO Meeting 22-23 May, 2017 Brussels, Belgium 52nd Session of Harmonized System Review Sub-Committee 29 May – 2 Jun. Brussels, Belgium 2017
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GET IN TOUCH
Address Contact info Email / Web
Revenue & Customs Services Phone: +679 3243000 Email: [email protected] Complex Fax: +679 3315537 Web: www.frca.org.fj; Building 3 – Level 1, www.wcoasiapacific.org Cnr Queen Elizabeth Drive & Ratu Sukuna Road, facebook.com/fijirevcust Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji twitter.com /fijirevcust
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