The World Customs Organization (WCO), with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Germany (CCF-Germany), successfully conducted a national Time Release Study (TRS) Workshop held from 28 March to 1 April 2022 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The core objective of the mission was to support the Customs Administration of Armenia in building capacities to conduct a TRS in collaboration with other trade stakeholders. Approximately 40 participants attended the event which gathered different stakeholders involved in the clearance process of goods in Armenia.

During the workshop, it was highlighted that TRS is a key instrument for Countries to measure relevant aspects of the effectiveness of operational procedures that are carried out by Customs and other regulatory actors concerned with the international movement of cargo. Important aspects concerning the WCO TRS Guide were presented to the participants, who were informed about TRS objectives, challenges, opportunities and ways forward for Armenia to conduct a TRS with the involvement of Customs and other key stakeholders that intervene in the national clearance process.

At the Workshop, participants jointly drafted a summary report of the meeting and a concrete Action Plan, both to be circulated to all the participants by the Armenia Customs Administration.  The Action Plan will guide the implementation of various actions that will have to take place in order for Armenia to conduct a TRS within one year. Carrying out its TRS will also enable this Country to comply with the requirements of Article 7.6 of the WTO TFA. This article encourages WTO Members to measure and publish their average release time of goods periodically and in a consistent manner, using tools such as the Time Release Study of the World Customs Organization (WCO).

The workshop also allowed the WCO Secretariat to provide a training to the Customs officers from Armenia on how to use the WCO TRS software, to design TRS survey forms, store the data and generate statistical information related to the time spent between the arrival of the goods and their physical release.

For more information, please, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.