Workshop clarifies Angolan customs pitfalls

ONGOING CLEARANCE delays in Angola following the introduction of a new Customs code at the beginning of this year motivated the South Africa-Angola Chamber of Commerce to hold an information workshop in Pretoria last month. Angolan Customs believe they are not solely to blame for the delays, which they attribute to a lack of clarity and understanding by shippers. “Since 2002 there has been a tsunami of legislation,” explains Roger Ballard-Tremeer, the Chamber’s honorary chief executive. “Many revisions to the customs act have been driven by the nature of investment into Angola. Certain key commodities are protected under new codes contained within the legislation that took effect in January this year, and the prioritisation of key goods will continue to shape tariffs as the Customs Fiscal Administration of Angola moves to align itself with emerging trends in international trading arenas,” said Ballard- Tremeer. “Previous legislation was a maze of confusion and inefficiencies, riddled with gaps and dissonances that bred frustration for traders dealing with Angola.” Speaking through an interpreter, Dr Leonilde de Sousa explained that it was a common misconception Workshop clarifies Angolan customs pitfalls that clearance delays were solely the failing of Customs. “We have come a long way, but too often incomplete or incorrect documentation is the cause of the delay, a responsibility that rests with the shipper. “If a trader is not informed of the regulations then the trader is not responsible for the mistakes. It is the responsibility of Customs to keep the trader informed, and treat these persons as honest,” said De Sousa. This is a giant leap for an authority that exists and functions under civil law. The Customs Code was designed as part of the Customs Expansion and Modernisation Programme (CEMP) intended to address compliance issues within the customs legal framework. The new Code is regarded as a more transparent attempt to simplify clearance procedures and reduce operational costs by building international confidence in a simplified workflow. “Assuming all documentation is in order, there is no reason why goods cannot be cleared within 24 hours,” De Sousa added. ● Revisions driven by nature of investment ● Incorrect documentation – the major cause of delays ● New code 'more transparent