Customs Modernisation
Programme
Lesotho Traders
Presentation Purpose
• To explain the Customs Modernisation Programme
– Background and basis for changes
– Trade impact
– The programme technically
– Implementation
Basis of CMP
• GOALS
– To increase the revenue collection
– To reduce the cost of collection
– To reduce the costs for Border Users
• The adoption of international and regional
Standards for revenue Collection and trade
facilitation.
– WCO - Revised Kyoto Convention
– WTO - Agreement on Trade Facilitation
– SACU
Basis of CMP
• Overall LRA Strategy
– To provide consistent and transparent procedures for
trade
– to maximise revenue and provide service to
Stakeholders
– to adopt a transparent Single Trader Approach
– encourage and provide benefits for compliant trade
– to protect legitimate trade
– to make extensive use of computerisation and
modern technology
The Programme
Specifically to reduce the costs for border users through:
• The computerization of all appropriate import, export
and payment/accounting. WTO
• The simplification of procedures, systems and
documentation. WCO/WTO
• The establishment of a transparent trade portal. WTO
• The introduction of an effective guarantee system.
WCO/WTO
• The adoption of risk management. WTO
The Programme
• The introduction of advanced information.
WCO/WTO
• The introduction of a preferred trader scheme.
WCO/WTO
• The deployment of non intrusive inspection
Scanners WTO
• To maximize the commonality of procedures with
those proposed by the Southern African Customs
Union (SACU) and South Africa Revenue Service
(SARS) SACU
The Programme
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Established September 2012
Phase 1 – research and development
Phase 2.1 Development
Phase 2.2 Implementation Preparation
Phase 3.1 Implementation of basic procedures
Phase 3.2 Implementation of advance
procedures
• Completion by April 2016
Programme Developments
• Launch of the Lesotho Business Partnership 2012
• Launch of the Lesotho Trade Portal 2014
• Pilot Preferred Trader Scheme (ended March 2014)
New Procedures
Requirements
• The electronic submission of all commercial
declarations
• The electronic submission of supporting
documentation
• Advanced information required before arrival of
consignments
• Electronic management of deferment accounts
• Segregation of clearance and inspection
• Application of administrative penalties
New Procedural
Outcomes/Benefits for Trade
• Intra SACU/extra SACU clearance at point of entry
• Consistent transparent procedures
• Advanced Clearance
• Immediate release on arrival
• Electronic management of queries
Future Developments
The introduction of advanced procedures
(From
July 2015)
• Review of all deferment accounts
• Introduction of bank guarantees
• Expanding payment methodologies and reducing cash
handling at frontiers
• Move to single clearance centre and closure of state
warehouse as clearance centre.
• Introduction of inland clearance
• Extending the Preferred Trader Scheme
• Introduction of new non-commercial procedures
Moving forward
• Pilot at Maputsoe Bridge
• Roll out to Maseru region by April 2015
• Move to central clearance by September 2015
• Introduction of advanced procedures, from July
2015
Immediate activity
• Communications Programme for Trade from 6.5.2014
• Completion of Trader registration (TIN)
• Registration of importers and exporters for ASYCUDA World
from 1.6.2014 (Initial priority Maputsoe Bridge)
• Trader education programme from 1.6.2014
• Connection of users to ASYCUDA World
• Pilot at Maputsoe Bridge
Follow developments and more
information on:
THE LESOTHO TRADE PORTAL
www.lesothotradeportal.org.ls