The World Customs Organization (WCO) organized a National Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 7 to 11 October 2024. This was the last in a series of support activities in the area of PCA, following a diagnostic mission in August 2022 and national workshops in April and September 2023. These activities were funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF/Japan).

At the opening ceremony for the workshop, the Deputy Director General of the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA), Enkhtaivan Gelegjamts, welcomed the team of WCO experts and the participants. He went on to point out that the week's activities were crucial and would focus on evaluating the work done and goals achieved throughout the support activities project, as well as identifying key actions for improving Mongolian Customs’ PCA operations in the near future.

As stated by the Deputy Director General, this final workshop marked the culmination of an important series of support activities, paving the way for future actions. It focused on discussing the Administration’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) which had already been revised, while bearing in mind the ongoing legal amendments in accordance with the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The discussions centred on key issues based on the WCO's recommended compliance approach, placing particular emphasis on the establishment of a trader self-assessment concept.

Additionally, discussions were held on how to move forward with strategies for building relationships with external stakeholders, especially the trade sector and the Mongolian Tax Administration. Participants actively shared their opinions, with a focus on transparency, legitimacy and fostering a business partnership with the trade sector.

Throughout this series of activities, the MCGA’s PCA team has demonstrated strong commitment and self-sufficiency in addressing a range of reforms. These efforts have resulted in a further deepening of the knowledge and experience of the relevant staff, who will continue to lead the development and further growth of their Administration’s PCA operations. The WCO Secretariat expresses its sincere gratitude to its colleagues in the MCGA for their unceasing efforts and outstanding achievements in the PCA domain.