Five Must Dos to Avoid Extinction

Trade, the lifeblood of the global economy, is rapidly evolving. Volume is set to double over the next decade, traditional trade routes are shifting, and with the onset of digital trade - the very concepts of borders and goods are changing. While customs agencies are uniquely placed to support economic growth, facilitate trade and fight sophisticated crime, they may risk their countries' ability to generate revenue, maintain security and increase competitiveness unless they can adapt and survive in this new world.

Restrictive trade measures introduced by G-20 economies since 2008 continue to rise, according to the latest WTO report on recent trade developments issued on 6 November 2014. Given the continuing uncertainties in the global economy, the report stresses the need for countries to show restraint in imposing new measures and to eliminate more of the existing measures.

The WTO released on 28 October 2014 new editions of its key statistical publications: International Trade Statistics, Trade Profiles, World Tariff Profiles and Services Profiles. The four publications provide a detailed breakdown of the latest trade developments.

This has been excerpted from a 28 October 2014 news item by the World Trade Organization and is available in its entirety at:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news14_e/publ_27oct14_e.htm

Turkey plans to standardize procedures at customs gates to speed up border transactions and unclog long truck lines, according to the Hürriyet Daily News.

Customs and Trade Minister Nurettin Canikli has ordered ministry officials to prepare a project to renew all 17 of Turkey’s customs gates as of next year, and renovate customs gate buildings and technology, according to a source close to the matter, Hürriyet Daily News reported.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued an interim final rule imposing foreign policy controls (i.e., license requirements) on exports of certain integrated circuits, helicopter landing system radars, seismic detection systems, and technology for infrared up-conversion devices.

The following is excerpted from a notice issued by the ANLCA on 29 September 2014.  It provides an interesting overview of the significant issues faced by our customs broker colleagues and their association in Nigeria.  All member associations are encouraged to share news of their activities with the IFCBA Secretariat.

A joint meeting of the National Executive Committee (NECOM) and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of ANLCA was held on Tuesday, 23rd of September 2014 at the Dr. Taiwo Afolabi Conference Hall of Dikko Inde House, ANLCA National Secretariat.

The World Bank Group and the World Trade Organization (WTO) have agreed to enhance their co-operation in assisting developing and least-developed countries to better utilize trade facilitation programs which can help countries reduce trade costs and more fully engage in the global economy.

Trade facilitation aims to reduce barriers developing countries now face moving goods quickly and cost effectively by increasing port efficiency, improving customs and regulatory environments, and upgrading infrastructure to increase trade exports.

In June of 2004, Australian House of Representatives introduced The Customs Tariff Amendment (Textile, Clothing and Footwear Post-2005 Arrangements) Bill 2004.

The scheduled reductions resulted in the general rate of customs duty applicable to all Textiles, Clothing, and Footwear (TCF) goods (with the exception of clothing and finished textiles) being lowered to 5 per cent on 1 January 2010. The clothing and finished textiles were only reduced to 10 percent from 17.5 at the time.

In a case that could have a profound impact on the trade community, compliance officers, business owners, and others can now be held personally liable under the customs penalty statute1 for fraudulently or negligently providing information on imports. Under this decision, import managers and compliance personnel can now be held personally liable in circumstances other than fraud for imports that violate US custom laws.