A National Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS) for tariff classification was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 2 to 6 September 2024. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Nepal Customs Administration, with the sponsorship of the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) of China. The event was facilitated by two experts from the WCO Secretariat, bringing together 24 Customs officials from Nepal, aiming to enhance their expertise in tariff classification.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Harisharan Pudasaini, Director General of the Department of Customs of Nepal, who extended his gratitude to the WCO and CCF China for the invaluable support. He emphasized the significance of the HS as the backbone of global trade and highlighted that improving knowledge and collaboration in this area is a key to more efficient customs procedures, fair revenue collection, streamlined trade facilitation, and ultimately, a stronger and more resilient economy. He encouraged participants to seize the opportunity to improve their technical skills for uniform interpretation and application of the HS and to foster connections with experts.
The Workshop focused on building critical knowledge of the HS and enhancing practical skills to apply the knowledge in tariff classification. It also provided a platform to discuss WCO tools and resources designed to assist users of the HS to modernize their tariff classification work. Key presentations covered the application of the General Interpretative Rules, legal provisions related to the classification of a wide range of goods, including agricultural and food products, mineral products, chemicals, textiles, metals, and machinery, and case studies on various products. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions, sharing experiences and opinions on areas where they faced challenges in tariff classification. The interactive sessions allowed for a deeper understanding of complex classification issues and strategies to address them.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Janak Raj Sharma, Deputy Director General of the Department of Customs of Nepal, praised the workshop for its success and the valuable knowledge gained by participants. He highlighted that the training would enable Nepal Customs officials to perform tariff classification more efficiently, thereby supporting trade facilitation and enhancing the role of Customs. He expressed his gratitude to the WCO and CCF China for their ongoing support and looked forward to continued cooperation.
Participants also expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the fruitful and informative workshop, noting that it provided valuable technical knowledge and enhanced their competencies in the tariff classification process in accordance with the rules and provisions of the HS.