26 January 2013 is Customs Day On 26 January 2013 the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in Belgium will be celebrating International Customs Day in honour of the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) which took place on 26 January 1953. (Readers are reminded that in 1994, the CCC adopted the informal working name “World Customs Organisation” to better reflect its worldwide growth in membership which now totals 179 Customs administrations.) The day will also signal the launch of the yearlong initiative to promote innovation under the slogan “Innovation for Customs progress”. Polytetrafluoroethylene Tape Application Comment for the proposed increase in the rate of customs duty on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape, classifiable under tariff subheading 3920.99.25, from 10% to 20% ad valorem, is due by 25 January 2013. The application was lodged by RIC Manufacturing CC. Fighting Illicit Tobacco Trade On 16 January 2013 the Head of Secretariat of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC), Dr. Haik Nikogosian, and the Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, met to strengthen existing cooperation between the two organisations in light of the adoption of the WHO protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products late last year. This follows the protocol signing ceremony at WHO headquarters on 10 January 2013 where 12 contracting parties to the WHO FCTC were present – China, France, Gabon, Libya, Union of Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panama, Republic of Korea (South Korea), South Africa, Syrian Arab Republic, Turkey and Uruguay. 4th Brics Business Forum The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has extended a request for proposals for the Brics exhibition, scheduled from 26-27 March 2013 at the 4th Brics Business Forum to be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. Proposals are due before 30 January 2013, with more information obtainable from Shakira Motan – smotan@ thedti.gov.za. International Trade & Customs: Call for Papers The WCO and the World Bank will host a research conference on the theme of informality related to international trade and border administration. The conference will comprise the presentation of papers selected from the Call for Papers. The deadline for submission is 30 January 2013. Authors of the proposals will be notified of the results before 15 February 2013. Full length papers should be received by the selection committee no later than 15 May 2013. The selected presenters will receive funding to cover their accommodation expenses. Travel may also be covered depending on the availability of donor funding. The publication of a collective book is envisaged.
