The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has marked a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards a streamlined, technology-driven Customs environment with the launch of the Electronic Advance Ruling tool (e-ART) and the e-Tariff platform. This development, supported by two World Customs Organisation (WCO) programmes, namely the EU-WCO Harmonized System (HS) Africa Programme and the United Kingdom funded Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, is a key part of NamRA’s digitisation strategy reinforcing Namibia’s commitment to modernising trade facilitation, improving transparency, and enhancing efficiency in Customs operations.
The launch event took place on 7 November 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia, and brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including representatives of the trading community. In conjunction, the e-Tariff platform was launched by NamRA in partnership with the UN Development Programme as a highly complementary digital solution.
NamRA’s new e-ART is a major development, allowing traders to receive binding decisions on tariff classification and the origin of goods before shipment. The e-ART builds on the previous support rendered by the HS-Africa Programme on Advance Ruling, and is also part of Namibia’s multi-year strategic partnership with the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which supports the country’s alignment with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
The e-ART, together with the e-Tariff platform, offers traders a comprehensive, user-friendly online database to access real-time information on tariffs, trade agreements, and duty calculations. These integrated solutions enhance predictability and streamline business processes, creating a more attractive trade environment in Namibia.
Voices of Inspiration and Collaboration
The event included remarks from key figures in the global trade and Customs community. A video message from WCO Secretary General, Mr. Ian Saunders, congratulated NamRA’s on its significant achievement, highlighting the values it reflects, including strong partnership, dedication, political will, and a commitment to excellent customer service. Mr. Federico Berna, representing the EU Delegation to Namibia, and Ms. Helena Kerr, representing the United Kingdom, also delivered speeches, reaffirming the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s strong support for Namibia’s ongoing digital transformation in customs.
Representing the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Mr. Donald Ndwandwe, provided an overview of digital initiatives within the SACU region and emphasised the importance of regional coordination in driving trade modernisation.
NamRA Commissioner Mr. Sam Shivute concluded that the e-ART system and e-Tariff platform will empower traders to make informed decisions and reduce uncertainty in Customs processes.
The successful launch of these digital solutions underscores NamRA’s commitment to modernising trade facilitation in line with WCO standards and global best practices. By enabling accurate, pre-shipment rulings and providing real-time tariff information, the e-ART and e-Tariff platform help position Namibia as a competitive trade hub in the region.
The event also showcased the strength of collaboration between NamRA, the WCO and other key partners. As Namibia continues its digitisation journey, these partnerships will continue to support the country towards a more transparent, efficient, and competitive customs environment, ultimately benefiting traders and fostering sustainable economic growth.