WCO Knowledge Academy for Customs and Trade The World Customs Organisation (WCO) has invited interested parties to register online for a fivestar learning experience at the global centre of Customs expertise. The course is scheduled to take place from 28 June to 08 July 2011. According to the WCO, this two-week intensive training focuses on the development of technical skills for Customs authorities, the Information Technology (IT) sector, the broader business community, governmental and trade organisations, lending institutions, border regulatory agencies, and others involved in the international trade arena The Course Description in Brief WCO Data Model (10 hours) An introduction to the Data Model and its relationship with a wide range of WCO instruments including the SAFE Framework and the Revised Kyoto Convention. Harmonised System (HS) (15 hours) Basic rules for classifying goods and justification of the classification opinions. Risk Management (5 hours for private sector and 10 hours for public sector) Comparison of the key concepts of Customs Risk Management and Private Sector Risk Management. IPR (forthcoming) ATA Carnet (forthcoming) WCO Integrity Programme (5 hours) Presentation of the WCO integrity tools and strategy. AEO/SAFE (10 hours) The concept of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and global trends in its implementation. Rules of Origin (10 hours) Overview of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations on the Harmonisation of Non-Preferential Rules of Origin (ROO). Customs Valuation/ Transfer Pricing/ATA Carnet (10 hours) The key concepts of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement: methods, disputes, WCO instruments (last sale, transfer pricing and royalties). Transfer Pricing (5 hours) The key concepts of transfer pricing under the OECD Guidelines. Get Connected – Customs Connect The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has released the first edition of Customs Connect, which it describes as “your electronic newsletter with all the latest information you need to manage your Customs affairs more effectively”. According to Sars it launched this new channel of communication in line with its strategy to communicate directly with you as a much-valued stakeholder in the Customs arena. Duty Calls’ Watch List Comment on the potential expiry of the anti-dumping duties on spades and shovels, forks, picks, and rakes imported from or originating in the People’s Republic of China (China) is due by 30 June 2011. Comment on the “Drinks: Draft Amendment” that proposes amendments relating, amongst others, to labelling of soft drinks is due by 13 August 2011. New Air Traffic Service Charges are applicable from 01 September 2011.
