A National Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS) was held in Koror, Palau, from 9 to 12 June 2025. The Workshop was organized jointly by the WCO and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection of Palau, with the sponsorship of the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) of Japan. The event was facilitated by two WCO accredited experts on HS, from Brazil and Japan, one pre-accredited expert on HS from Fiji, and attended in-person by 12 officials and managers from Palau Customs.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. John TARKONG Jr., Director General of Customs and Border Protection of Palau, expressed appreciation to the WCO and CCF Japan for working together with Palau Customs to strengthen the tariff classification work and for supporting the modernization of Customs. He highlighted the benefits that such training would bring in terms of efficiency, trade facilitation and improvement of the technical work, by enhancing the capacity of Palauan Customs Officers to accurately classify goods under the HS, deepen their understanding of tariff application principles, and promote consistency and transparency in trade practices. The training was expected to lead to greater accuracy and timely processing of customs procedures in Palau. He encouraged the participants to take the opportunity to improve and consolidate their knowledge in this important technical area.
Mr. TARKONG Jr. further said that this initiative marked a significant step forward in Palau's efforts to modernize its customs operations and align with international best practices. With the expertise gained through this workshop, Palau Customs would be better positioned to facilitate trade, ensure compliance, and contribute to national development goals.
The presentations covered an overview of the HS and its related tools, along with specific topics including food and agricultural products, medicaments, textiles and machinery. A participant presented an overview of the organization of the Palau Customs and its tariff classification work structure.
The Workshop also offered an opportunity to discuss the WCO Guidelines on Advance Rulings and to assist users of the HS to modernize their tariff classification work and related infrastructure.
In the closing remarks, the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, on behalf of the Republic of Palau, extended its sincere gratitude to the World Customs Organization and the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan for their invaluable support in building customs capacity throughout the region.