The Embassy of the Republic of Niger in Brussels has deposited on 13 February 2015 with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Niger’s instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention - RKC), making Niger the 99th Contracting Party to this Convention.
The Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) is the international standard for making Customs regulatory procedures as efficient and effective as possible. The Convention contains several important principles, including transparency and predictability of Customs actions; standardization and simplification of the goods declaration and supporting documents; simplified procedures for authorized persons; maximum use of information technology; appropriate Customs control to ensure compliance with regulations; use of risk management and audit-based controls; coordinated interventions with other border agencies; and partnership with the trade.
The WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya, who welcomed Niger’s accession, said that it demonstrated Niger’s commitment to implementing Customs procedures adapted to the international trade environment. The RKC is instrumental for global trade facilitation efforts, especially the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and to meet the challenges of Customs in the 21st Century.
The Secretary General strongly encouraged other WCO Members to accede to the RKC as soon as possible.
The RKC will enter into force for Niger on 13 May 2015.