GUYANA
GREEN CUSTOMS INITIATIVE
BY
DAVID HERMONSTINE
GUYANA IS COMMITTED TO THE
ENFORCEMENT OF TRADE RELATED
MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL
AGREEMENTS (MEAs) IN PARTICULAR
• Basel Convention on the Control of
Transboundary Movement of Hazardous
Wastes and Their Disposal
• Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety
• Conventionon International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES)
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that
Deplete the Ozone Layer
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior
Informed Consent Procedure for Certain
Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in
International Trade
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants
Role of Customs Officers
• Ensure Compliance with the MEAs
• Verify completeness of documentation
• Ensure all licensing authorities issue the
relevant licences (import/export) for
shipments
• Comply with Standing Operating Procedures
(SOP) for examination of cargo
• Work along with all the regulatory
authorities to enforce regulations.
Role of Customs Officers
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Verify consistency of documentation
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Verify Classification codes of commodities
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Verify the nature and quantity of the shipment
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Ensure that all Safety Standards are maintained
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Physical Examination of goods must be conducted according to ISO Standards
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Goods can only be released when all the requirements are fulfilled
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The role of a Customs Officer is not only to collect revenue but also and most
important, is to preserve the environment by preventing illegal substances from
entering the society
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Contact r Competent Authority in case of suspicion
Agencies Interaction and Cooperation
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The Ministry of Trade and Tourism
The Ministry of Foreign Trade
The Ministry of Agriculture
Environmental Protection Agency
Guyana Wild Life Management Authority
Guyana Wildlife Scientific Authority
National Biodiversity Committee
Pesticide & Toxic Chemicals Control Board
Customs Officers Training
• The (GCI) is to be included in the training
Curriculum of the Customs and Trade Authority
• Regular Training Seminars are held with the
regulatory Authorities
• Practical demonstration and On the Job Training
(OJT) are held to emphasize importance
• Sharing of information with the regulatory
authorities.
Training with key Stakeholders
(National committee on Conformity assessment)
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Guyana National Bureau of Standards
Institute of Applied Science and Technology
Environmental Protection Agency
Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board
Guyana Forestry Commission
Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association
Government Analysis/Food and Drug Department
The Customs Officer Objective
• Detect and prevent Illegal Trade in
Environmentally-Sensitive commodity
• Coordinate with other National Regulatory
Authorities to combat illegal Trade
• Better Recognition of the role of Customs in
Environmental Protection
• Increase awareness and utilize assistance
provided by national and international
agencies
THANK YOU.
E-mail: dadastine07@hotmail.com