A WCO National Training Workshop on Classification and Identification of Textile products, was held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 18 to 21 February 2020. Fifteen selected Customs officials working in different Customs posts attended this practical course, co-facilitated by an expert from the Secretariat and a WCO recognized expert. The mission was made possible through the WCO-Finland ESA project II, with the financial support of the Government of Finland.
In response to the special interest in having a practical training on the Harmonized System (HS)’s Textiles Section, indicated by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), Customs and Excise, the training course provided theoretical and hands-on training in classifying and identifying textile and footwear products.
During the four days of the Workshop, the participants learned about the WCO, its mission and were familiarized with the General Interpretative Rules, the legal texts and Explanatory Notes to Section XI of the HS and with the WCO website. Participants had the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the training recognizing textile fibres, yarns and fabrics made of different materials through microscope and burning tests, which is crucial for their correct classification.
The training course was made possible thanks to the additional contribution of the WCO-Finland ESA project II which agreed to purchase two microscopes and a high precision digital laboratory scale necessary to carry out the practical part of the workshop. The equipment was donated to ZIMRA Customs and Excise to improve its capability on identifying textile products.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr. Happias Kuzvinzwa noted that classifying textile materials was not an easy task and he expected the workshop would provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to recognize textile products for securing the country’s revenue. He highlighted the continuous support given by the WCO and expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the WCO-Finland ESA project II for assisting Zimbabwe in enhancing its technical capability on classifying and identifying textiles materials.