Following the implementation of the 2022 edition of the Harmonized System (HS) in Algeria on 1 January 2022, the Algerian General Directorate of Customs (DGD) organized two information days on the HS amendments (HS 2022). Another topic that was addressed during these information days was the procedure for advance rulings on the country of origin of goods. These information days took place on 17 and 18 January 2022 at the DGD headquarters in Algiers.

The first information day was organized for the benefit of economic operators and Customs brokers, and the second - for the operational Customs services in charge of technical aspects of Customs’ work. These two days focused on the explanation of the amendments made to the structure of the Customs tariff following the integration of the new version of the HS as well as on the new procedure for advance rulings on the origin of goods.

In his presentation, a representative of the WCO addressed some international aspects of the implementation of the HS 2022 amendments. He highlighted the importance of the timely implementation of HS amendments and congratulated the DGD for having successfully completed the work of migrating the national tariff to the new version of the HS by 1 January 2022. He recalled that the DGD had established partnership relations with the HS-Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, emphasizing that the Program would remain available to support Algeria in its work on the HS and other aspects related to tariff issues.

Regarding the HS 2022 amendments, four presentations were delivered by the DGD. They covered basic notions of the Harmonized System, the national aspects of the implementation of the HS 2022 version, the scope of the HS 2022 amendments and the transposition of the HS 2022 amendments into the national Customs tariff. These presentations were followed by fruitful exchanges between the managers of the DGD and the participants of the two information days.

As for the new procedure called “binding information on origin”, the DGD made two presentations. Participants, especially exporters, appreciated this new procedure, which is part of the process of trade facilitation and making foreign trade more secure and predictable. This new procedure, based on the standards recommended by the WCO, is implemented in the context of the DGD's efforts to align its work on international standards and strengthen the Customs-business partnership. The effective launch of this procedure is planned for 1 March 2022.

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