A follow-up and evaluation mission on the process of resuming the Customs valuation function by Côte d’Ivoire Customs took place from 27 to 31 March 2023 in Abidjan with the financial support of the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF Japan). Its aim was for the World Customs Organization (WCO) to continue to provide assistance to Ivorian Customs with a view to supporting it during this process.

The mission was led by an expert from the Valuation Sub-Directorate of the Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate of the WCO Secretariat and an accredited WCO Revenue Package expert from Cameroon Customs.

The objective of the mission was to take stock of the process of resuming the valuation function, to make observations on the results achieved at mid-term and to put forward, where necessary, any suggestions and recommendations that may help improve the situation and ensure that the process is successful. The mission consisted primarily of working sessions with the central bodies responsible for valuation control both before and after Customs clearance, meetings with Customs partners and a visit to an immediate control unit.

A half-day was devoted to raising the awareness of some 30 auditors from the control and operational services on the training and capacity-building opportunities offered on the WCO website, in particular through the CLiKC! platform and the tools and instruments developed under the WCO Revenue Package.

During the debriefing meeting held at the Directorate General of Customs under the chairmanship of the Director General of Customs, the experts provided an update on the progress of the mission.

The Côte d’Ivoire Customs authorities confirmed that they had taken careful note of the mission’s findings, suggestions and recommendations, while stating that all arrangements were being made to take these into account, especially through the development and deployment of a new instrument for the control of Customs valuation.