These are challenging times for all of us no matter where we live in the world.  With so much uncertainty and in the interests of all IFCBA members, the decision has been made to postpone the IFCBA 2020 Global Trade Seminar Series originally scheduled for June 2020.  The new dates for our 2020 event will be November 24-26, 2020.  The 2020 Board and Annual Meetings will be held at the same time.  The venue is unchanged.  We will be meeting in the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach Hotel. 

Source: WCO

To respond to the unprecedented demand in medical supplies amid the current global COVID-19 pandemic around the world, and in order to help countries speed up the cross-border movement of these critical products,  the WCO and the World Health Organization (WHO) joined hands to strengthen their cooperation by establishing a coordinated approach in their response to the pandemic.  

Source: WTO

World trade is expected to fall by between 13% and 32% in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts normal economic activity and life around the world.

Source: TRACIT

Source: WCO

List of Temporary Import Supports by country

List of Temporary Export Restrictions by country

Source: WCO

The heads of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued a joint statement on 6 April pledging to work together to facilitate trade in essential goods such as medical supplies, food, and energy.

WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya and WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said the two organizations would work closely together to minimize disruption to cross-border trade in goods – in particular those essential to combat the COVID-19 pandemic – while safeguarding public health.

Source: reliefweb

I. General background

In light of the current novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) global pandemic (COVID-19), the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) in collaboration with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) have compiled a list of measures for humanitarian operators.

Source: WTO

WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo and International Chamber of Commerce Secretary-General John Denton issued on 2 April a joint statement calling for more dialogue with business to maximize the effectiveness of public policies to mitigate the economic damage resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with regards to trade.

For full details, please click here.

Source: WTO

The heads of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a joint statement on 31 March calling on governments to minimise the impact of COVID-19 related border restrictions on trade in food. “Now is the time to show solidarity, act responsibly and adhere to our common goal of enhancing food security, food safety and nutrition and improving the general welfare of people around the world,” the agency heads said.

Source: Manila Bulletin

The Bureau of Customs has issued Customs Memorandum Order No. 08-2020 which provides the guidelines on the implementation of Zero Contact Policy at BOC’s Assessment Offices.

The order applies to all clients dealing with BOC such as Licensed Customs Brokers, declarants, importers, customs broker’s representatives, and other stakeholders which covers the processing of goods declaration filed with the assessment offices, stakeholder engagement meetings, and other events and activities.