Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), held a technical assistance activity on Advance Rulings in Gaborone, Botswana, from 28 to 30 November 2022 with the participation of Customs officials from Classification, Valuation and Origin, within the Customs Services Division. The workshop’s objective was to assist BURS with reviewing the draft Advance Ruling guidelines document and enhancing their knowledge and application of advance rulings.

The workshop was officially opened by the BURS General Manager (GM), Technical Services, Mr. Molemi Pule who highlighted that implementing the advance ruling is part of Botswana’s efforts to promote trade facilitation and adherence to international obligations.

The WCO, under the EU-WCO HS Africa Programmes has been working with BURS experts for over a year through a series of workshops and consultations to fast-track the implementation of advance rulings based on the WCO recommendations and guidelines as well as the WTO-TFA provisions. The assistance under the RoO Africa programme complements the work conducted by the HS Africa programme team and intervenes to give more substance and comprehensive approach in the implementation of advance rulings also from origin perspective. The workshop discussions concluded with the draft advance rulings guidelines that shall be submitted to BURS management for finalization and validation.

In closing the workshop, the BURS thanked the WCO and EU for the partnership and the continuous technical support, on various customs matters stating that this workshop focusing on reviewing the draft Advance Ruling guidelines is a key milestone to assist Botswana in implementing advance rulings that shall provide transparency and predictability to private sector partners.

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme will continue its work with the BURS on advance ruling and enhancing Customs officials’ knowledge of rules of origin through capacity building for efficient implementation.

For further information, please contact EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org.