The World Customs Organization (WCO) in collaboration with the WCO East and Southern Africa Regional Office for Capacity Building (ESA ROCB), conducted an online sensitization on the WCO Trade Tool Platform on 14 August, 2024. The meeting was organized under the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System in Africa (HS Africa Programme), Funded by the European Union.
Following the work of the HS Africa Programme on the HS and other HS related matters in the region, the Programme provided 24 full package access for 5 years to the WCO Trade Tool Platform for ESA Customs administrations and Regional Training Centres through the WCO ESA ROCB. This initiative is intended to support these countries by offering easy access to accurate, up to date and comprehensive information on the Harmonized System, Rules of Origin and Valuation as a way of strengthening organisational capacities for the administrations.
To ensure full utilization of the Trade Tool, the online sensitization session was an occasion where the WCO provided insight on the functionality of the tool, how to navigate its features by exploring the search functionality; for instance the platform’s ability to filter information according to the user’s requirements, the interactive comment function for a team of users, and the consolidated historical HS changes enabling easy follow up of the HS migration over a period of time.
During the session, the participants were able to interact and provide feedback on their experience with the tool and how it has been beneficial to their individual administrations. It is envisioned that this access will be a significant step towards greater efficiency.
In closing, the ROCB representative thanked the EU-WCO Programme for HS in Africa for the support in providing access as well as organising an online sensitization session for the ESA Member States.
For more information, please contact hs@wcoomd.org.