Following a decision by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to terminate contracts with a private sector inspection company, which has been conducting valuation and classification controls on behalf of the Customs department, the WCO has been providing assistance to the Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DGDA).

The third mission under this programme took place between 5 and 9 October 2015. The mission, delivered by two facilitators from the WCO Secretariat, consisted of two main components : during the first two days, meetings were held with senior managers who provided updates on the preparations for takeover of the valuation functions. During the third and fourth day, a two-day workshop was held for DGDA officials to build on the knowledge they had acquired in previous workshops. The workshop covered new tools developed under the WCO’s Revenue Package programme, designed to assist Customs administrations with fair and efficient revenue collection. In particular, information was given on a new diagnostic tool which enables Customs administrations to evaluate their current infrastructure for organisation of valuation, classification and origin work and helps them seek to address any weaknesses. The workshop also covered key technical valuation areas, valuation controls and risk management.

DGDA will continue to prepare for the takeover over of valuation controls, based on their current programmes and WCO recommendations.

Background : In June 2013, the WCO, together with the Customs administrations of the WCA Region, produced the Niamey Declaration. The Declaration calls upon Governments, Customs administrations and the WCO to act upon a series of recommendations designed to provide a smooth transition of core Customs functions from the inspection companies to the Customs administrations. The WCO is providing support to a number of countries in the West and Central Africa Region which are undergoing this transition.

In June 2013, the WCO, together with the Customs administrations of the WCA Region, produced the Niamey Declaration. The Declaration calls upon Governments, Customs administrations and the WCO to act upon a series of recommendations designed to provide a smooth transition of core Customs functions from the inspection companies to the Customs administrations. The WCO is providing support to a number of countries in the West and Central Africa Region which are undergoing this transition.