The 66th Meeting of the WCO Data Model Projects Team (DMPT) was held successfully, in a hybrid mode, on 11 and 12 May 2023 at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Some 132 registered participants comprised of WCO Member delegates and representatives of international organizations and the private sector participated.
Brendan O’Hearn, Deputy Director in charge of Procedures and Facilitation, commenced the Meeting by warmly welcoming all participants and providing a comprehensive overview of the DMPT’s activities and responsibilities. He expressed deep appreciation for the active engagement of DMPT Members, particularly those who played a crucial role in the WCO Version 4 Mini Group leading up to the Meeting. Emphasizing the significance of their contributions, he commended the dedicated efforts invested in finalizing the work items for the Data Model (DM) Version 4 package.
The DMPT received and processed three Data Maintenance Requests (DMR) via the WCO DM App1 submitted by New Zeland, which were all approved. In addition, the DMPT reviewed the WCO DM Maintenance Procedure to enhance its efficiency.
The DMPT was briefed on the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC’s) Digital Standards Initiative regarding establishing key trade data/documents, in which the WCO actively participates. In addition, the FIATA Representative presented the FIATA electronic Bill of Lading (FBL). Both initiatives were expected to advance the WCO dematerialization of supporting documents further. Subsequently, the mapping of the FBL to the WCO Data Model was introduced for discussion.
The DMPT was updated on the endorsement of version 4.0.0 of the WCO Data Model by the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC). Version 4.0.0 will be submitted to the Policy Commission and Council for final approval in June 2023. The Secretariat introduced the use of the WIKI format to publish guiding material relating to version 4.0.0 of the WCO DM, and the Project Manager provided insights into the publishing of beta versions four and five of WCO DM 4.0.0 for quality control purposes before the final release in June 2023.
Following the initial discussion at the last 65th DMPT meeting in February 2023, the draft WCO DM - CODEX Derived Information Package (DIP) was presented for examination and endorsement in which the DMPT ultimately endorsed the draft CODEX DIP based on the shared CODEX dataset.
Considering the DMPT’s focus on developing an information package for Customs Bonds, the Meeting discussed the business process model and data requirements for Customs Bonds filling and management. The United States presented their national experience, and the preliminary draft mapping between a national Customs Bond dataset was examined.
The DMPT discussed the Maritime API and BRI/PNR data model and provided an overview of the proposed Information Package. The DMPT supported using the API and BRI/PNR data model in its current state for the pilot programme by the Passenger Facilitation and Control Working Group’s (PFCWG’s) Members and invited them to provide feedback to improve the data models.
The Secretariat presented the progress in aligning the existing railway dataset with the WCO Data Model to the DMPT, participants examined the preliminary mapping, and the Chairperson emphasized the need for further collaboration and refinement to ensure seamless integration of railway-related data within the Data Model. The DMPT was also briefed by the Secretariat on the progress of the Work Programme 2023-2025.
To promote My Information Packages (MyIP) implementations, the Secretariat introduced a new feature of the WCO DM App that will generate OpenAPI documents based on a MyIP. The Maldives also presented their national MyIP created using the DM App. Moreover, the Secretariat introduced the updated WCO DM E-learning Module to Members.
The DMPT conducted an election for the Chair and Vice Chairperson of the DMPT for 2023-2024. Niclas Gustafsson of Sweden and Mary Anne Egwunyenga of Nigeria were elected as Chair and Vice-Chairpersons, respectively. DMPT Members provided a token of appreciation to the outgoing Chair, Louritha Green of the United States, who has done excellent work, including helping to sheppard the finalization of the WCO Data Model 4.0.0.
Deputy Director O’Hearn joined the DMPT in thanking Louritha for her leadership, congratulated participants for all the DMPT outcomes, and closed the Meeting.