A WCO ESA Regional Workshop on Harmonized System Infrastructure Support / Train-the-Trainer approach was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 20 to 24 April 2015. The Workshop was attended by 22 Customs officers representing seven countries of the East and Southern African (ESA) Region, namely, Burundi, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The opening of the workshop was officiated by Mr. Clive Manjengwa, the Acting Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.　 He expressed an appreciation for the workshop pointing out that proper classification of goods is key in revenue collection and trade facilitation for all countries. He added that the participants needed to take this workshop "as an opportunity to network and share ideas on matters of mutual interest because platforms such as these ones, not only do they offer opportunities to learn from each other but they are important to cement ties and building relationships beyond these once off meetings".

Also present at the opening of the workshop were the Commissioner Investigations, International Affairs and Research & Development – Mrs. Anna Mutombodzi, the Commissioner Domestic Taxes – Mr. Tichaona Chiradza, the Director Human Resources and Administration – Mrs. Sithokozile T Mrewa and the Chief Training Officer – Mr. Lameck Tatswareyi. All of them stressed the relevance of the Workshop and its contribution to the effectiveness of the work carried out by Customs Administrations of the East and Southern African (ESA) Region.

During the workshop the group discussed the use and future prospects of the Harmonized System (HS) and some practical cases of tariff classification. The participants gained knowledge of the principles for classifying goods in the HS in order to legally justify classification decisions. They also gained a better knowledge of the Revenue Package HS material, especially on the Guidelines on Tariff Classification Work and Related Infrastructure and the Diagnostic Tool on Tariff Classification Work and Related Infrastructure. All this knowledge can thus be transferred to their colleagues through national capacity building sessions.