The WCO National Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS) held in Moroni, Comoros from 8 to 12 November 2012 had as its objectives: the carrying out of a diagnostic mission relating to the national Nomenclature and the current infrastructure for tariff classification work; to ensure migration of the national Nomenclature to the 2012 version of the HS; and the accession of Comoros to the HS Convention.

This event was organized by the WCO with the assistance of the Comoros Customs administration within the framework of an Institutional Capacity Building Project funded by the African Development Fund.

The Comorian Nomenclature was based on the 2002 version of the HS and some 500 amendments were therefore inserted to adapt it to the 2012 version of the HS. The competent Comorian authorities have also signed the instrument of accession to the Harmonized System Convention which will soon reach the WCO Secretariat.

The first phase of the Project has been completed. The second phase will take place in 2013 in order to provide Comorian Customs with an organizational structure for the procedural, administrative and technical management of the HS and to train all Customs staff in mastering the technical aspects of the Nomenclature.