WCO PUSHES TO SIMPLIFY INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS CLEARANCE PROCEDURES

WCO PUSHES TO SIMPLIFY INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMS CLEARANCE PROCEDURES    The World Customs Organization said it will step up its efforts to reduce cumbersome customs clearance procedures in international trade.
   Heads of customs agencies from around the world met in Brussels this week and agreed to create a global standard for customs data requirements. The decision followed a request from the Group of Seven nations, which includes the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany, for the WCO to take over the maintenance and promotion of the G7 Customs Data Harmonization Initiative. Similarly, the WCO developed the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, or Kyoto Convention, which was revised in 1999.
   “The G7 initiative was a practical attempt to standardize electronic customs declarations and establish a single window environment, while the revision of the Kyoto Convention was complementary in that it focused on adoption of modern customs procedures.” the WCO said.
   “The parallel implementation of both the G7 data standard and the revised Kyoto Convention will substantially contribute to the reduction of border formalities and compliance costs,” the WCO added.
   The G7 countries have agreed to implement the data standard and electronic messages by 2005. The WCO is hopeful that by this time its revised Kyoto Convention will have gained wide international acceptance.
   The Kyoto Convention comes into force when 40 WCO members have signed it. On Saturday, Japan became the eighth country to ratify the convention.
   According to some studies, border formalities, including customs clearance procedures, increase the value of goods by 7 to 10 percent.
   “G7 have expressed their commitment to support this work within the WCO, which it is hoped will make a significant contribution to reducing non-tariff barriers to international trade,” the WCO said.