Tinashe Makichi Business Reporter
The Southern African Development Community is working towards effective implementation of a uniform valuation of goods at customs clearance centres among member states to ensure proper valuation of imports and exports. This is expected to be achieved through training of customs of officials. Sadc currently uses World Trade Organisation valuations but uniform implementation of the system by some member states has been the biggest challenge.
Speaking to The Herald Business on the sidelines of the Sadc Customs Training for Trainers Programme 2013-2016 yesterday, Sadc senior programme officer for Customs Mr Willie Shumba said the development of capacity in customs is critical in promoting compliance of legitimate international trade.
He said uniform valuation among member states should be adopted effectively for member states to have the same interpretation and understanding.
“The Sadc region is using the WTO valuation system and as such it is important that customs officials understand and are able to implement it properly.
“A better understanding and interpretation of the WTO valuation system is expected to yield results on the back of the recently launched Sadc industrialisation policy.
“An effective implementation of the uniform valuation system among member states is going to enhance trade facilitation and a proper valuation of imports and exports,” said Mr Shumba.
“This move is also going to enhance collection of the correct amount of revenue while collecting correct statistics in respect of our imports and exports in the Sadc region.”
Mr Shumba said what is important is the element of sharing costs between the cooperating partner and member states.
In a bid to ensure effective implementation the regional economic block introduced the Sadc customs training the trainer programme which started running in 2013.
Article 8 of Annex II of Protocol on Trade provides for member states to undertake to develop or adopt joint training programmes, exchange staff and share training facilities and resources.
In addition, the Sub-Committee on Customs Cooperation Strategic Plan 2012-2016 states that it is important for customs administrations in member states to take full advantage of technical assistance and training activities that happen in the region.
It further adds that the region should develop a pool of regional experts in various customs disciplines who can be called upon to enhance skills of customs officers across the region.