Thirty-eight representatives from 23 Customs administrations in the Asia/Pacific Region participated in a WCO Regional Workshop on Risk-based Cargo Selectivity from 9 to 13 September 2013. The Workshop built on the WCO Council’s aim to emphasize the importance of risk management to all the Organization’s Members.

The Workshop, held at the WCO Regional Training Centre in Kashiwa, Japan, was organized in cooperation with Japan Customs and the Asia/Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P), with the sponsorship of the Japanese Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF).

During the opening remarks, Mr. Takehito MATSUMURA, Deputy Director General of Japan Customs, and representatives of the WCO and ROCB A/P highlighted the importance of adopting a holistic approach when implementing risk management. They also emphasized the relationship between risk-based cargo selectivity and effective resource allocation and trade facilitation.

Certain elements of risk management at the organizational level were covered throughout the Workshop, although the main focus was risk management at the operational level (risk assessment, profiling and targeting), with several syndicate group tasks, practical exercises, case studies and country presentations. The spotlight was put on sea, land and air cargo selectivity. Each session was followed by lively discussions, questions and answers.

During the syndicate group tasks and country presentations, participants entered into in-depth discussions on how to identify high-risk cargo by utilizing the methodology explained in the WCO Customs Risk Management Compendium. Case studies and practical exercises also contributed to deepening an understanding of the topics.