Potential of Customs data analytics The World Customs Organisation (WCO) on 9 January hosted a one-day workshop on data analytics. According to the WCO the aim of the workshop – the first of its kind – was to discuss ways in which customs could take greater advantage of the use of data analytics in customs as an extremely powerful tool for improving the way customs administrations work, at both the operational and strategic levels. There is evidence that the massive amount of data generated by customs is currently under-used. Enhancing customs’ ability to perform increasingly sophisticated analytics using the available data will become even more crucial in all future policymaking processes. The workshop participants included representatives from academia and international organisations, as well as practitioners from customs administrations. According to the WCO the discussions and presentations focused on customs and trade data, as well as data analysis methods that could be used to help customs gain a better understanding of themselves and the work they do, thus shaping the way towards more efficient and effective customs administrations. At the end of the workshop participants agreed that the data provided by some of the customs administrations would be used to produce research papers. It would also be collated and summarised in a book for the customs community. Operation Cosmo 2 Seminar From 9-11 January the WCO Strategic Trade Control Enforcement Programme hosted an Operation COSMO 2 Global Planning Seminar. The seminar was aimed at reviewing the progress made by the customs community in establishing capacity to address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and related items since the WCO’s first Operation Cosmo in 2014, and planning further customs operational activities to counter illicit trafficking in WMD. Used clothing permit applications The International Trade Commission of South Africa (Itac) has invited applications for the use of rebate item 460.11/00.00/01.00 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 for used overcoats, carcoats, raincoats, anoraks, ski-jackets, duffle coats, mantles, three-quarter coats, greatcoats, hooded caps, trench coats, gabardines, padded waistcoats and parkas (but no other clothing articles) classifiable under tariff headings 61.01, 61.02, 62.01, 62.02 and 6309.00.13 in such quantities, at such times and subject to such conditions as Itac may allow by specific permit. Applications are due by 24 January. Intellectual Property – comment due On 9 January the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published a draft interpretation note on the prohibition of deductions for certain intellectual property (IP). According to Sars’, Explanatory Note Section 23I of the Income Tax Act, 1962 prohibits a deduction of any expenditure incurred for the right or permission to use IP and other expenditure which is directly or indirectly related to such expenditure. Comment is due by 30 April.
