Under the sponsorship of CCF Korea, a national Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS), organized jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the National Customs of Costa Rica, was held in San Jose (Costa Rica), from 1 to 4 February 2016. The Workshop was co-facilitated by Ms. Fernández Cantón, Costa Rica, a newly WCO Accredited HS trainer. 50 Customs Officers from different areas of Costa Rica Customs attended the Workshop.

The opening of the Workshop was officiated by the Director of the "Centro de Investigación y Formación Hacendaria (CIFH)", Mr. Manuel Enrique Rovira, who emphasized the importance of the correct tariff classification of goods and encouraged the participants to take advantage of this high level workshop. He also pointed out the importance of the Harmonized System (HS) for trade facilitation.

During the Workshop a wide range of HS-related matters was addressed and the participants were thoroughly informed about classification infrastructure and the fundamental principles of the General Rules and practicalities of HS classification to ensure correct and uniform application of the Nomenclature. The latest classification decisions of the Harmonized System Committee were discussed by participants. Special attention was also paid to Customs Laboratory matters and, in particular, to its role in the correct HS classification and in the protection of the society and the environnement.

In their closing addresses, Ms. Karla Guillén Vega, Acting Subdirector of Customs and Ms. Maria Iris Céspedes, responsible for the International Area of Costa Rica Customs, thanked the WCO for its assistance in the modernization of the Customs Administration of Costa Rica and again emphasized the importance of the correct use and application of the HS.