In the framework of the WCO-WACAM Project, funded by Sweden, a support mission to Cape Verde took place from 01 to 04 of March 2016. The scope of the mission was two-folded. On the one hand, the WCO supported the Customs Administration of Cape Verde to assess the methodology and progress of the national efforts in categorizing the measures listed in section I of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA). On the other hand, the WCO experts provided guidance to the national working group on the Time Release Study (TRS) with a specific focus on the mapping out of the procedure of the clearance of goods at the Port of Praia.

Regarding the categorization of the section I measures, members of the National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NCTF) have confirmed that they will review their previous categorization in the light of the WTO TFA Auto-Evaluation Guide and will intensify their efforts to ensure completion of the categorization process at their level by the end of May 2016.

Regarding the TRS (referred to in Article 7.6 of the WTO TFA), the consultations held with both the public authorities (Ministry of Agriculture, Fiscal Police...) and private sector (Customs Brokers, Handlers, Port Authorities...) representatives (29 persons in total, including 9 women) concluded that the TRS will be held for 7 consecutive working days in May or June 2016 and that will include all imported goods except perishable goods, petroleum and vehicles. Furthermore, the Customs Administration, based on these working sessions, will aim to present the finalized map of the clearance process at the Port in the next few weeks in order to initiate the work regarding the development of the TRS questionnaire.

The WCO is confident that the Cape Verde Customs Administration, through effective stakeholder engagement, will be able to successfully ensure the completion of the categorization and TRS efforts in the timelines agreed by Members of the NCTF.

For more information about this activity and about the WCO-WACAM Project in general, do not hesitate to contact the WCO-Sweden Programme Director, Richard Chopra – richard.chopra@wcoomd.org