The amendments to the Nomenclature which came into force on 1 January 2007, have posed challenges to all users of the Harmonized System. The conference presents the opportunity to learn how others have managed these challenges and to discover the tools that have been developed to facilitate navigation through the Harmonized System in your quest to correctly classify your commodities.
DAY 1 - Tuesday 18 September 2007 - Morning
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08:30
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Registration
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10:00
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Welcome by WCO
· Michel Danet, Secretary General
· Lars Karlsson, Director, Capacity Building Directorate
· Izaak Wind, Deputy Director, Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate, Nomenclature Sub-Directorate
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10:30
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Introduction and overview by the Moderator
· Souleymane Sangare, Chair of the Review Sub-Committee
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SESSION 1
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Uniform application – is it wishful thinking?
· In drafting the Harmonized System it was obviously quite impossible, in a field as vast and varied as that of a goods nomenclature, to provide for every possible current and future contingency and to settle each such possibility, in advance, in a manner so precise as to obviate any subsequent doubt about the classification of any particular product or article. Therefore it happens sometimes that users of the HS arrive at different decisions concerning the classification of the same product.
· The HS contains a series of provisions to secure its uniform interpretation and application to facilitate Customs controls and international trade, which remain major priorities for the WCO.
· How can we improve and better co-ordinate the work in this area between the WCO, Customs administrations and the private sector?
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10:40 – 12:30
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Izaak Wind, Deputy Director, Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate, Nomenclature Sub-Directorate, WCO
Thomas Nietsch, International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations
Networking break about 11:15 a.m.
Philippe De Baere, Van Bael & Billis, Legal services in the areas of EU competition law, Brussels
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12:30
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Open discussion
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13:00 – 14:30 |
Lunch and networking time | |
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DAY 1 - Tuesday 18 September 2007 - Afternoon
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SESSION 2
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Binding Tariff Information
· There has been a growing recognition by the WCO and its Members that binding pre-entry classification information is an indispensable element of an efficient tariff classification work model. The availability of procedures for information on the classification of commodities prior to their importation adds certainty and predictability to international trade and helps traders to make sound business decisions based on legally binding rulings. Why is it important to ensure further progress in this area? What can be done to achieve this objective?
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14:30 – 17:30
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Alexey Shcheglov, Nomenclature Sub-Directorate, WCO
Austin Valentine, European Commission
Susan Scully, Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, United State
Marc Corby, BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd. United Kingdom
Charles Barber, Alcatel Submarine Networks Limited,United Kingdom
Networking break about 16:10
Mr. Mahfoudh Saeed, Tariff office, United Arab Emirates Customs Administration
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Open discussion
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18:00
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18:30
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Close of Day 1
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DAY 2 - Wednesday 19 September 2007 - Morning
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09:30
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Welcome by:
· Izaak Wind, Deputy Director, Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate, Nomenclature Sub-Directorate, WCO
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09:45
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Introduction and overview by the Moderator
· Holm Kappler, Logical properties, United States |
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SESSION 3
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Classification tools
· Time constraints at Customs clearance demand constant improvement of classification tools available to both Customs and economic operators. A number of classification tools have been developed over the years by the WCO, Members and the private sector. Taking stock of the most useful and efficient tools may help review and update the classification practise and facilitate the implementation of HS 2007.
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Marc Declunder, Presentation of the WCO E-learning programme
Randy Rotchin, Logical Properties Inc., Canada
Rainer Roll, MIC, Multinational Tariff Classification System
Networking break about 11:15 a.m.
Presentation of the Laboratory Guide, Franz-Michael Sieberth, Vice-Chairperson of the Scientific Sub-Committee |
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Open discussion
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13:00 – 14:30
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Lunch and networking time
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DAY 2 - Wednesday 19 September 2007 - Afternoon
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SESSION 4
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Impact of HS 2007 on the international trade environment and challenges posed by the introduction of HS 2007
· The Harmonized System is not a rigid instrument having been designed to serve as a framework for international trade and other needs, themselves in constant evolution. The last review cycle resulted in many changes to reflect evolving patterns in trade and industry. Now HS users must implement these changes and adapt themselves to the terms of HS 2007. Given the scale of the HS 2007 amendments, many businesses are likely to face difficulties in adjusting their practise to the changes. This session provides an opportunity to discuss problems with economic operators and Customs officials to find the right solutions.
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Pierre-Paul de Vaucher, Origin Sub-Directorate, WCO
Souleymane Sangare and Karim Nacro, Customs Administration respectively, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso Customs
Edwin Atkinson, Gin and Vodka Association, United Kingdom
Deborah B. Stern, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., United States
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Open discussion
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16:30
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Close of day 2:
· Izaak Wind, Deputy Director, Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate, Nomenclature Sub-Directorate, WCO
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Close of the Conference
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