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Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures

  

Customs organisations implement government policies that help to increase and liberalise trade and, in an era of trade globalisation, it is highly important that customs rules and procedures are internationalised.

The Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) was established in 1994 and its main objectives are to simplify and harmonise regional customs procedures to ensure that goods and services move efficiently, effectively and safely through the region, and to reconcile and facilitate border control.

The SCCP holds to the following basic principles:
  • Facilitation: while ensuring proper enforcement of customs law and regulations, APEC customs administrations should strive to improve customs clearance procedures
  • Accountability: customs administrations should be accountable for their actions through a transparent and accessible process of administrative and/or judicial review
  • Consistency: customs law, regulations, administrative guidelines and procedures should be applied in a uniform manner within each economy
  • Transparency: customs law, regulations, administrative guidelines and procedures should be publicly available in a prompt and easily accessible manner
  • Simplification: customs law, regulations, administrative guidelines and procedures should be simplified to the greatest extent possible so that customs clearance can proceed without undue burdens.

Achievements

Single Window:
In 2007 the "Single Window Strategic Plan" was adopted by APEC. It provides a framework for the development of Single Window systems by members to achieve paperless trading targets and enable seamless data sharing. It contains six recommendations to assist members in this endeavour and provides the mechanisms for APEC members to work collaboratively and agree on various issues. The recommendations are that:
  • The SCCP establish a working group to further single window activities across APEC. The working group will engage the private and public sectors and other relevant APEC sub-fora and international bodies.
  • The United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) definition of "single window" be adopted by APEC economies. This definition is provided in UN/CEFACT Recommendation 33 which states: "A facility that allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single entry point to fulfill all import, export and transit related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic, then individual data elements should only be submitted once."
  • APEC economies adopt the use of internationally recognised instruments and standards in single window design to increase international interoperability.
  • The SCCP establish a repository to capture information regarding relevant single window related initiatives in international trade facilitation and supply chain security.
  • The SCCP identify and coordinate relevant capacity building single window activities.
  • The SCCP prepare a roadmap and implementation plan to achieve the single window vision.

Trade Facilitation Action Plan:
The SCCP has played an important role in the implementation of the APEC Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP) adopted by APEC in 2002. The TFAP's goal of achieving a reduction in trade transaction costs by five percent across the APEC region between 2002 and 2006 has been realised.

APEC's Second Trade Facilitation Action Plan (TFAP 2) was adopted in 2007 and is now being implemented. Its goal is a further reduction in trade transaction costs by five percent in the period 2007-2010. The SCCP is now working on its implementation with the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) and other relevant sub-fora, including the Sub-committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC); the Business Mobility Group; and the Electronic Commerce Steering Group (ECSG).

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Current Activities

 
Single Window:

At the meeting of the SCCP Single Window Working Group (SWWG) in Lima, Peru in 2008, the phase 2 terms of reference and work plan were endorsed. APEC Member Economies are now working towards the implementation of Single Windows systems across APEC using recognised international instruments and standards to enhance the interoperability of trade systems.

Trade Facilitation:

At its first meeting in 2008, the SCCP identified the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the TFAP2:

Scope

KPI

1. Time-Release Survey (TRS)

Application of the TRS methodology to achieve a standardised time-release measure.

2. Implement APEC Framework based on the World Customs Organization Framework of Standards

Progress in the implementation of risk management processes based on advance electronic submission of cargo information.

3. Simplification and Harmonisation on the Basis of the Revised Kyoto Convention.

Progress in the adoption and implementation of the body and general Annex of the RKC

4. Paperless and/or Automation of Trade-related Procedures.

Progress in the implementation of single window systems.

5. Harmonisation of Tariff Structure with the Harmonised System (HS) Convention.

Progress in the adoption of the HS Convention and incorporation of the HS 2007 changes.

6. Appropriate, Transparent and Predictable Trade-related Procedures.

Progress in the application of steps taken to promote the integrity of Customs Officials and the consistency of procedures.

Customs Business Dialogue:

The SCCP held its annual APEC Customs-Business Dialogue (ACBD) in Lima/Callao, Peru on 12 August 2008. The objective of the ACBD is to foster understanding and cooperation between customs authorities and the business sector in the APEC region in order to promote trade facilitation. The 2008 theme focused participants on effective trade facilitation and the protection of intellectual property rights.

APEC SCCP Blueprint:

The SCCP's latest achievements in relation to its ongoing agenda are outlined in a report released in December 2008, The APEC SCCP 2008 Blueprint. It contains comprehensive information about the activities of the SCCP and the implementation of its Collective Action Plan (CAP) items and work. The CAP items on which progress has been made include:

  • Harmonisation of Tariff Structure with the HS Convention
  • Simplification and Harmonisation Based on the Revised Kyoto Convention
  • Harmonised APEC Data Elements
  • Integrity
  • Implementation of APEC Framework based on the WCO Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade
  • Time-Release Surveys (TRS)

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Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) - Key Contacts
Chair
Mr. LOH Fook Meng
Assistant Director-General (Compliance), Singapore Customs
55 Newton Road, #10-01 Revenue House, Singapore 307987
Email: customs_international@customs.gov.sg

APEC Secretariat
Mr Takeshi Komoto
Director (Program)
E-mail: tk@apec.org

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