Pacific Islands prepare to classify traded goods under updated system [1]
Tuesday, March 30, 2021 - 20:51
Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, are preparing for the new edition of the Harmonized System (HS 2022) used to classify traded goods which will come into force on 1 January 2022.
The HS is the basis for customs tariffs and for compiling international trade statistics in 211 economies, of which 158 are contracting parties to the HS Convention. At the international level, the HS for classifying goods is a six-digit code system.
Under the new HS seventh edition [2], there are a total of 351 sets of amendments covering a wide range of goods moving across borders.
This includes adapting to current trade through the recognition of new product streams and addressing environmental and social issues of global concern, such as e-waste. Health and safety also feature in the changes among others.
Virtual training
To assist with preparation, a three-day virtual training program was held with 51 customs officers representing 14 country members of the Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat (OCO) on 23-26 March.
Training included interpreting and applying HS 2022 and its amendments as well as discussing members' progress in preparing to implement it.
OCO Head of Secretariat, Richard Brennan said as a region, we need to work together and prepare for this huge task of implementing HS 2022 when it does come into effect.
“It is important that we help our members to begin advance preparations for this work, taking into account their national capacities and that no administration is left behind.”
OCO members also considered progress on updating the Pacific Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (PACHS) 2022, an eight-digit classification, providing uniformity in the classification of goods amongst Pacific Island countries.
They were also apprised on the linkages between HS updates and free trade agreements by New Zealand Customs.
The training was facilitated by experts from the OCO Secretariat, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), United National Conference on Trade & Development (UNCTAD), World Health Organisation (WHO) and New Zealand Customs Service.