Transcript Slide 1
Global Network at Borders
- Borders divide, Customs connects The Institute of International and European Affairs
Dublin, 2 March 2010
Kunio Mikuriya
Secretary General
World Customs Organization
WCO in brief
Intergovernmental organization
specialized in Customs matters
Established in Brussels in 1952
Mission
To enhance the effectiveness
& efficiency of Customs administrations
To facilitate trade and secure the
international supply chain
176 Members
Collectively process over 98% of global trade
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WCO and Europe
From a European to a global institution
Committee for European Economic Cooperation
(1947)
Customs Committee - predecessor of the WCO
Economic Committee - predecessor of the OECD
17 European countries, including Ireland, were the
original Members
EU engagement
All 27 Member States
Status akin to WCO Members (2007)
An outreach platform to connect with non-EU
economies
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Evolution of Customs
Protection of domestic industry
Protection of citizens
Trade facilitation <Competitiveness>
Trade supply chain security
Environment
Customs function
Revenue collection of import taxes
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WCO main activities
Develop standards for Customs procedures
Harmonized System (HS) – tariff classification
Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) – trade facilitation
SAFE Framework of Standards – security
Promote international cooperation
Share information and best practices
Capacity Building
Columbus Programme – diagnostics for reform
PICARD Programme – cooperation with universities
Fragile states
Integrity
Regional approach – ownership at the regional level
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Global challenges for Customs
Protectionism
Global trading system
Supply chain security and facilitation
Health, safety and the protection of society
Environment
IPR border enforcement
Transnational organized crime
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Global challenges (1)
Protectionism
Global financial crisis & economic downturn
Reduction in Customs revenue
Drop in trade volume
Difficulty of accessing trade finance
Increase in fraudulent activities of traders
Customs under pressure on revenue
collection
Rise of
protectionist trend
Customs environment and role?
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Global challenges (1)
Protectionism
WCO Communiqué to G20 (London, April 2009)
Trade facilitation, capacity building, monitoring
Incorporated in the G20 Communiqué
From crisis to recovery
Fiscal stimulus/discipline
Trade kept open
For fair and efficient revenue collection
WCO Revenue package
Trade facilitation
Customs modernization
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Global challenges (2)
Global trading system
WTO Doha Round
Early conclusion desirable
Trade Facilitation agenda: biggest economic gains
expected
Standards available
WCO Revised Kyoto Convention
Political support and mobilization of donors
Aid for trade
Regional integration
Convergence of rules of origin
Synergy with global standards
Capacity Building, especially for ACP countries
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Global challenges (3)
Supply chain security & facilitation
Risk management approach: WCO SAFE
Framework of Standards
Customs-Business Partnership
Less intervention for high-compliance operators
Certified as Authorized Economic Operators (AEO)
Mutual Recognition
Customs network arrangement
Against US 100% scanning law
Intervention for all US bound cargo
before departure (to be implemented
in 2012)
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Global challenges (4)
Environment
Green Customs Initiative with UNEP
Enforce trade provisions of Multilateral
Environment Agreements
Endangered species, ozone depleting substances,
hazardous chemicals, hazardous wastes
Exchange of information – Environet
Joint operations
Hazardous waste (64 countries:
Europe-Africa-Asia/Pacific in 2009)
Customs and climate change
Border enforcement measures
Border tax adjustment
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Global challenges (4)
IPR border enforcement
Challenges
Awareness
Serious criminal behaviour and economic loss
Funding for organized crime
Health hazards caused by users
Enforcement legislation
Operational capacity
Political/business support
WCO activities
Diagnostic missions to identify gaps
Joint operations to improve coordination
Cooperation with rights holders
Sharing of best practices
Technical assistance and capacity building
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Global challenges (4)
Transnational organized crime
Transborder crime: challenges & opportunities
Source of illicit profit
Major seizure point; +70% of national seizures in
drugs and counterfeits at the borders
Customs Enforcement Network
Communication and database for Customs seizures
Joint operations: drugs in Central Asia,
money laundering with 84 countries
Cooperation with the police
WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control
Protocol on Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products
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Customs in the 21st Century
A New strategic direction for Customs
10 building blocks
For better international cooperation
Globally Networked Customs
For better coordination at borders
Coordinated Border Management
For better business compliance and
mutual benefit
Customs-Business Partnership
and more …
A relevant, visionary and indispensable
Customs for a better world
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
www.wcoomd.org