UPU
UNIVERSA L
POSTAL
UNION
CEP C 1 GD 2015.1–Doc 3a.Annexe 1
СПЭ К 1 ГТ 2015.1-Док 3a.Приложение 1
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DES DOUANES
Established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council
Créée en 1952 sous le nom de Conseil de coopération douanière
WCO/UPU
CONTACT COMMITTEE
34th Meeting
25 – 26 November 2014
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Brussels, 18 December 2014.
REPORT OF THE 34th MEETING OF THE WCO - UPU CONTACT COMMITTEE
I. OPENING OF THE MEETING AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
[Doc : PU0099 (UPU Doc. No. : POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 1)]
1.
The Chairperson (Customs Spokesperson), Mr Dean Church (Australia
Customs), welcomed the delegates and representatives from both Secretariats of the
WCO and the UPU to the 34th Meeting of the WCO-UPU Contact Committee. He then
introduced the postal Co-Chair Ms. Stephanie Glover (Canada Post) and provided
background of the WCO-UPU Contact Committee and its revised Terms of Reference
(ToR).
2.
Ms. Heike Barczyk, the new Deputy Director of the WCO Procedures and
Facilitation sub-Directorate welcomed the delegates and provided details about
administrative arrangements for the meeting. She was pleased to see so many
delegates attending the meeting, which indicated the growing co-operation between
Customs and posts. The list of participants is appended at the Annex I to this report.
3.
In his opening remarks, Mr Gaozhang ZHU, WCO Director Compliance and
Facilitation Directorate welcomed participants including first time additional observers
from Customs and posts side. He underlined the need for fostering greater cooperation
between Posts and Customs at national level. Highlighting the recent achievements of
the Contact Committee such as publication of the Joint Customs Post Guide and the
Joint Guidelines for Developing MoU between Customs and Postal operators at
national level, he urged to continue working together to carry forward the cooperation
through shared interests and common understanding, on facilitating postal shipments
while ensuring compliance.
For reasons of economy, documents are printed in limited number. Delegates are kindly asked to bring their
copies to meetings and not to request additional copies.
Copyright © 2015 World Customs Organization. All rights reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning
translation, reproduction and adaptation rights should be addressed to copyright@wcoomd.org.
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4.
He underscored the need for enhancing electronic interfaces between posts and
Customs, especially to support the exponential growth in e-commerce and at the same
time deal with postal supply chain security. He encouraged active participation by
delegates during the meeting, in order to have fruitful and result oriented discussions.
5.
The postal Co-Chair also welcomed delegates and mentioned that posts and
Customs are uniquely positioned to improve and modernize clearance processes for
mail and leverage available electronic data for targeting, selectivity and fiscal charging.
She emphasized the need for moving away from labour intensive manual processes to
cope with growing e-commerce and collectively seize this opportunity to support one
another by working collaboratively.
6.
The following modifications were suggested to the agenda: addition of a
presentation on the Customs Declaration System (CDS) by the UPU Postal
Technology Centre under agenda item IV.c (Customs Declaration System and benefits
of interface with Customs); merging of the presentation by Australia under agenda VII
(Narcotic Drugs in Mail) with its presentation under agenda item IV.d (Mail
modernization initiatives) and moving item VI.c (Advance electronic information
requirements) under agenda item V (Advance electronic exchange of data between
Posts and Customs). Revised agenda is appended at the Annex II to this report.
Conclusion
7.
The Contact Committee took note of the opening remarks and adopted the
agenda with the suggested adjustments.
II. REPORT OF THE 33RD MEETING OF THE WCO–UPU CONTACT COMMITTEE
HELD ON 18 AND 19 NOVEMBER 2013
- Memorandum by Canada (postal member)
[Doc: PU0100 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG 2014.1–Doc 2b)]
8.
The postal Co-Chair made a presentation on the report of the 33rd meeting of the
WCO-UPU Contact Committee, highlighting among others the finalization of the Joint
Customs Post Guide and the Joint Guidelines for Developing MoU between Customs &
Postal operators at national level; the endorsement of the revised Terms of Reference
and finalization of the EMS version of CN23, the work on dangerous goods and various
updates on the work of the UPU’s Customs Group and the WCO PTC and Council
sessions. The 33rd meeting also recognized the need for enhanced cooperation for
effective Customs clearance of postal items in terms of electronic interfaces as well as
a need for updating the Guidelines to Chapter 2 of the Specific Annex (SA) J of the
RKC based on the results of the two questionnaires sent to UPU member countries.
9.
Referring to para 17 of the report which mentioned that undelivered or unclaimed
postal items should not be seized by Customs administrations in view of the
instructions on the CP 71 dispatch note and CP 72 under the UPU Convention, a
delegate expressed concern that it needed to be clarified especially in the context
when the parcel might contain prohibited items such as illicit drugs, fire arms, goods
having consumer safety concern and other objectionable items, and remain
unclaimed/undelivered.
10.
The postal Co-Chair clarified that this issue was certainly not about the parcels
which were imported in any violation of national legislations and was in no way meant
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to state that parcels containing such items should not be seized or acted upon under
respective laws. Rather it referred to postal items that were refused by the addressee
or otherwise undeliverable and were not properly being returned to origin as per
instructions on the CP 72 manifold set or CP 71 note.
3.
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Conclusion
11.
The Contact Committee took note of the report of the 33rd meeting of the WCO UPU Contact Committee.
III.
OVERVIEW /UPDATE OF THE WCO COUNCIL MEETING
- Presentation by the WCO
12.
The Deputy Director, WCO Procedures and Facilitation sub-Directorate, provided
a brief overview of the outcomes of the WCO Council Sessions held in Brussels from
26 to 28 June 2014. She mentioned that in the specific context of posts, the Council
had acknowledged the growing cooperation between Customs and post and had
endorsed the Joint WCO–UPU Postal Customs Guide; the Joint WCO–UPU Guidelines
for developing a Memorandum of Understanding between Customs and Posts at
national level; the EMS version of the CN 23 Customs declaration; and the revised ToR
of the Contact Committee.
13.
She also informed about the collective letter sent by the WCO Secretary General
and the UPU Director General to all Customs administrations and postal operators,
informing them about these developments and requesting them to use them for
promoting cooperation between Customs and posts at national level, as well as about
the availability of these documents on the respective WCO and UPU websites.
Conclusion
14.
The Contact Committee took note of the outcomes of the WCO Council Sessions.
IV. CAPACITY BUILDING
a)
Promoting the Joint WCO-UPU guidelines for developing a memorandum of
understanding between Customs and Post at the national level
- Memorandum by UPU International Bureau and the WCO
[Doc: PU0101 (UPU Doc. No. : POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 4a)]
b)
Promoting the Joint WCO-UPU Postal Customs Guide
- Memorandum by the UPU International Bureau and the WCO
[Doc : PU0102 (UPU Doc. No. : POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 4b)]
15.
The UPU made a presentation highlighting the importance of two recently
developed documents (the Joint WCO–UPU Guidelines for developing a Memorandum
of Understanding between Customs and Posts at national level and the Joint WCO–
UPU Postal Customs Guide) and listed out various measures for promoting them e.g.
translation into other official languages of the UPU, potential inclusion in the Guidelines
to Chapter 2 of SA J of the RKC, publishing in EMS Link and Union Postale and
promoting at various conferences/workshops/symposiums.
16.
The WCO welcomed the UPU’s proposals for promoting these documents, in
particular their translation into other languages which would be helpful to its Members
for better understanding and use of these documents at national level. It added that
4.
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17.
also the WCO has been promoting the two documents as a continuous activity at all
relevant meetings and forums. It had also included them in its Economic
Competitiveness Package (ECP) for wider dissemination amongst Members and other
stakeholders, which aimed to contribute to trade facilitation and economic
competitiveness.
Delegates suggested that it would be a good idea to publish already concluded
MoUs between posts and Customs and exchange benefits emanating therefrom, in
order to help other Members in different regions to establish rule of engagement, which
was agreed to, subject to concerned Members’ concurrence for sharing their MoUs.
Another delegate suggested using regional entities/structures (including ROCB and
Vice-Chairs of the WCO) on both sides for promoting these documents.
Conclusion
18.
The Committee acknowledged the ongoing promotional activities and endorsed
the proposed measures to promote the jointly developed documents (the joint WCOUPU Postal Customs Guide and the joint WCO-UPU Guidelines for developing MoU
between Customs and Posts at national level), to foster and enhance working level
cooperation between Customs and Posts on a continual basis.
c)
Customs Declaration System and benefits of interface with Customs
- Presentation by UPU Postal Technology Centre
- Presentation by Canada (postal member)
19.
The UPU made a presentation on the Customs Declaration System (CDS)
developed by them based on the WCO-UPU joint messaging standards (CUSITM and
CUSRSP)1 from origin post to destination post and then from destination post to
destination Customs and vice versa, while maintaining complete segregation of Post
and Customs data, with one not being able to access another’s data, except of what is
by purpose exchanged. Individual customers can lodge data/declarations at home
using Internet, mobile devices or at the Post Office using a kiosk. He explained that
CDS could also be used for security related messages including ‘DO NOT LOAD’ and
was capable of validating addresses, integrating various prohibitions/restrictions,
calculating landed cost, duties and taxes, e-commerce payment services as well as
interfacing with Customs’ risk management systems. He further informed that US and
Canada were already both in production and ready to exchange information with any
other CDS user and some other countries were at different stages of related initiating
pilot projects.
20.
In the wide ranging discussions that followed, delegates expressed keen interest
in various facets of the CDS. Responding to several questions raised by delegates, the
UPU explained more details of the configuration options and the process of filling HS
codes through a drop down menu for a merchandize in CDS. It was also mentioned
that CN 22 would also be covered by the same messaging standards as for CN23, as
the former being a subset of the later. Further, the UPU was maintaining the server at
the UPU’s Postal Technology Centre by running an EDI network 24*7. It could be
linked through the central Cloud solution CDS.post, or using a local server. On the
possibility of inserting national measures (for example sanitary, veterinary and
chemical analysis report requirements for electronic cigarettes), the speaker explained
that this could be done by adding key words relating to such requirements in the CDS,
1
CUSITM is the electronic version for the forms CN22/23, CP72 and CUSRSP is the electronic response/referrals
from Customs, whereas ITMATT is for Customs data interchange between Postal Operators.
5.
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and customers could meet such specific requirements by filling up relevant forms and
attaching documents.
21.
The UPU also informed that the CDS was available for use since 1 January 2013
at a very low cost (6 Swiss cents per declaration with a maximum fee between 28000
to 30000 Swiss francs per year). There were also some thoughts to adapt the system
for a seamless interface with ASYCUDA via respective MoU between the UPU and
UNCTAD.
22.
Canada (postal member) provided an update on their experiences on working
with Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) though the use of CDS and its mutual
benefits. Recognising the growth in e-commerce and emerging security requirements,
they agreed to collaboratively use CDS as a new joint integrated solution by leveraging
advance electronic postal - Customs data to meet their respective objectives. They
went live at Vancouver in May this year. She mentioned that the system was largely
being used for fiscal clearance purposes in term of targeting, selectivity, Customs
release, referred decisions and calculation of duties and taxes, which had contributed
to better planning, improved data quality, improved risk assessment, fewer inspections,
optimal utilization of resources, improved employee safety and faster Customs
clearance. She also mentioned some of the challenges in terms of data quality such as
generic descriptions, missing and invalid data elements and formatting issues of
telephone numbers, email addresses and currency code.
23.
Responding to a question from a delegate, it was clarified that Canada was using
inbound information for targeting, selectivity, Customs duty and tax assessment,
clearance and determining risks for Customs processes including further screening and
inspection if needed, and not for ‘DO NOT LOAD (DNL)’ messages.
Conclusion
24.
The Contact Committee took note of the presentations made by the UPU and
Canada Post on the CDS. It discussed and acknowledged the CDS as a useful IT
system for exchange of advance information between posts and Customs, for security
and fiscal risk analysis as well as clearance and encouraged postal operators and
Customs administrations to carry out pilots using CDS or any other IT solutions
adapted to their respective national requirements.
d)
Mail modernisation initiatives & narcotics in mail
- Presentation by Australia (Customs member)
25.
Australia (Customs member) made a presentation on their initiatives on
modernization and facilitation of mail service to deal with growing volumes of parcels
as well as measures taken to curb smuggling of narcotic drugs through mail. He
provided information about several measures such as the implementation of electronic
reporting in the mail stream; strengthened risk assessment capability; joint
environmental scan with post to better understand the international scenario; executive
level workshops, commencement of proof of concept for electronic exchange of item
level data for a comprehensive understanding of benefits and limitations; introduction of
track and trace technologies; and developing abilities to better focus intervention
resources on high-risk goods while more efficiently facilitating legitimate mail items as
well as improving existing border processes at the gateways.
26.
He also mentioned that unlike the air and maritime modes, currently there was
no electronic reporting for international mail articles; consequently risk assessment
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27.
occurred in real time at borders. He highlighted that growing e-commerce and darknet
sites had provided additional avenues to criminal entities leading to a significant
increase in detections in all risk categories across the board, in particular drugs,
prohibited items, firearms and others.
During the following discussion, thoughts were given to further exploring the
issue of secure connections between the electronic information and the respective
postal parcel.
Conclusion
28.
The Contact Committee took note of the presentation by Australia.
e)
Awareness-raising campaign on dangerous and prohibited goods
- Presentation by the UPU International Bureau
29.
The UPU made a presentation on their awareness-raising campaign on
dangerous and prohibited goods – “Keep me safe to get me there faster’, which is
supported by the WCO, ICAO and IATA. He explained that the objective of the
campaign which would to be launched before the end of the year, was to raise
awareness among customers about dangerous, prohibited and counterfeited items and
about dangers of sending such substances in the mail, thus ensuring that safe
packages reach their destination in a timely and efficient manner. The mail supply
chain would be made safer for everyone involved including customers, postal staff and
all stakeholders.
30.
He informed that the campaign would be carried out through posters, postcards,
3 animated videos (Explosives, Flammable liquids and Counterfeit & pirated goods),
web banners, flyers, campaign web pages and a campaign guide. A number of
countries have already shown interest to carry out the campaign.
31.
On a question from a delegate on how would all the prohibitions/restrictions in
respect of each country would be available to customers, it was clarified that
considering the extensive and long list of prohibitions/restrictions (all of which
potentially not possible to be put on a website), customers needed to check their
packages before sending and also contact post or Customs in case of doubt.
Responding to another delegate, it was mentioned that the campaign material,
currently available in English and French, could be translated into other languages and
adapted to national contexts, without changing the key messages and formats.
32.
Delegates also suggested targeting the buyers who were ordering counterfeit
items to address the issue from supply as well as demand side. In this context, the
campaign does foresee the possibility/flexibility of countries adjusting or developing
other tailor made materials to address such audiences.
Conclusion
33.
The Contact Committee welcomed the campaign by the UPU and encouraged
postal operators and Customs to actively support and promote it.
f)
Customs Matters Guide
- Memorandum by the UPU International Bureau
[Doc: PU0103 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG 2014.2–Doc 5e)]
7.
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34.
The UPU made a presentation on the Customs Matter Guide (CMG) which was
developed in 2008 as a joint publication by the UPU and the WCO, based on the
responses received from 69 countries. It had been found useful for Customs, Posts and
also international postal customers in completing the CN 22 and CN 23 Customs
declarations accurately, at the time of import and export, which helps in expediting
Customs clearance of postal items.
35.
He further informed that in order to update the already available information and
collect information from other member countries, the UPU had decided to develop a
new shorter questionnaire for circulating it to postal operators, who in turn can liaise
with their respective Customs authorities to complete it. In this context, he requested
the WCO for its comments and suggestions in developing such a new questionnaire
and further support in obtaining the relevant information from Customs members.
36.
Discussions evolved around getting responses from as many countries as
possible, ideally all, and developing a short and simple questionnaire as well as making
it a web based report to enable countries to update it, whenever required.
Conclusion
37.
The Contact Committee recognized the value of the Customs Matter Guide and
endorsed the proposed course of action by the UPU to keep the Guide refreshed and
updated.
g)
Organization of 2015 WCO–UPU Customs workshop in China (People's
Rep.)
-
Memorandum by the UPU International Bureau
[Doc: PU0114 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 4g)]
38.
Building upon the successful organization of three joint workshops in 2008, 2009
and 2013 in Bangkok, Nairobi and Johannesburg respectively and their benefits to
posts and Customs, the UPU informed that the State Post Bureau of China desired to
organize the next WCO–UPU Customs workshop in Guangzhou, P R China in May
2015, to enhance the existing cooperative relationship between postal and Customs
authorities, and invited the Committee to approve the proposal and provide further
direction for taking appropriate measures to advance the work.
39.
Delegates acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in terms of
broadening the understanding of postal-Customs clearance work through face to face
dialogue, promoting electronic exchange of information and security related
developments, besides sharing country’s working experiences and best practices.
China Customs mentioned that they were in close contact with China Post to organize
this workshop but a number of things still needed to be sorted out.
Conclusion
40.
8.
The Contact Committee supported the proposal of the State Post Bureau of
China /UPU and agreed, in principle, to organizing a 4th joint WCO-UPU Customs
Workshop in P R China, subject to securing necessary funding.
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V. ADVANCE ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE OF DATA BETWEEN POSTS AND CUSTOMS
a)
Provision for advance electronic information
- Memorandum by the WCO
[Doc: PU0104 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5a)]
b)
Report/update on work of the virtual Working Group for developing
recommendations regarding the interface between Customs and
posts
- Memorandum by Canada (postal member)
[Doc: PU0105 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5b)]
VI.c) Advance electronic information requirements
- Memorandum by Great Britain (postal member)
[Doc: PU0110 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 TG 2014.2–Doc 7a)]
c)
Provision for advance electronic information
- Presentation by the European Union
d)
Regulatory Framework for Advance Electronic Information regarding
postal items
- Memorandum by the Netherlands (postal member)
[Doc: PU0106 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG 2014.2–Doc 7a)]
41.
The WCO Secretariat explained the document (PU01016) on electronic
exchange of information between Customs and posts, highlighting the importance of
advance electronic data for carrying out risk assessments and enhancing service
delivery, as CN22/ CN23 currently being on paper basis, and due to increasing
volumes were not sufficient for Customs to evaluate risks in advance or even after they
were presented. He elaborated on the joint work done by the WCO and the UPU, such
as joint electronic messages and WCO/Customs Members’ work in the area of ‘Preloading Advance Cargo Information (ACI)’ and stressed the need to speed up the
process of such electronic interface by collaboratively determining a clear way forward.
42.
The postal Co-Chair provided an overview on the work of the virtual Working
Group for developing recommendations regarding the interface between Customs and
posts. She informed, inter alia, that a number of documents including the global postal
Advance Electronic Information (AEI) model and the UPU’s CDS software solution
brochure, had been uploaded on the WCO’s CLiKC! platform and two teleconferences
had been held to begin the working group’s discussions. Emphasizing the significance
of advance electronic data for Customs as well as posts in terms of facilitation and
fiscal charging, she urged members to actively participate in the group’s work and
share their experiences, in order to finalize its mandated work at the earliest.
43.
Great Britain (postal member) made a presentation on advance electronic
information requirements, bringing forward some core principles to support the
exchange and use of advance electronic data for the purpose of aviation security and
fiscal clearance based on the single global postal model such as defining ‘assessment
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complete’ message from destination Customs before loading, use of CN23 ITMATT
data, timely ‘referrals including ‘DO NOT LOAD’ and flag set ‘CARDIT’2 messages from
post to airline. He also mentioned the need for further work through all relevant bodies
including the Contact Committee to address issues like the processing of items that
had been reported upon using ITMATT but for which no response such as ‘assessment
complete’ had been received from the destination Customs authorities.
44.
The EU (DG TAXUD) made a presentation on the requirements of ‘Pre-loading
ACI’ as mandated under the ‘EU Air cargo Security Action Plan’. She provided
information about the pre-loading ACI pilot with postal operators involving 8 Member
States (Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden and UK) and 10
postal operators with PostEurop as a strategic partner and with active support by air
carriers, the International Postal Corporation (IPC) and the Kahala Post Group (KPG).
Pilots showed that electronic exchange of data was feasible and that CN 23 covering
7+1 data elements was sufficient for security risk analysis, which could potentially also
be re-used for fiscal clearance purposes. She explained that there could be an
acknowledgement of ‘assessment complete’, but there would never be a ‘good to a go’
message for loading of cargo, keeping in view the possibility of a late intelligence.
45.
She also informed about the EU’s new Union Customs Code (UCC) and the draft
Implementing/Delegated Act on the provision of ‘pre-loading ACI’ in respect of airmails,
which exempts letters and postcards. Its implementation would be through a 'phasedin' approach starting with EMS and Parcels, which foresees two levels of data filing CN23 data by posts and conveyance data by air carriers (‘Which postal item is in which
receptacle and on which plane’) with an identifier to establish linkages ( potentially
‘Movement Reference Number’). She further elaborated on some issues which needed
to be still addressed such as risk mitigation protocols in practice to be carried out with
post, specific risk criteria to be worked out with civil aviation and ministry of home
affairs and security , transitional period, definition of items of correspondence and
exempted items.
46.
The Netherlands (postal member) made a presentation on the regulatory
framework for advance information regarding postal items. He explained the recent
amendment of Article 9 of the UPU Convention creating a legal basis for the provision
of advance electronic data and mentioned the value of advance electronic information
(AEI) in the larger context of Customs clearance including security aspect as well as
operational benefits for everyone e.g. e-seller, e-buyer, Customs and posts. He
stressed that such measures should take into account the specificities of post, its
Universal Services concept at reasonable prices and a large number of “non
professional” customers using this channel while maintaining linkages to the UPU
standards and CN/22/CN23 data and must be commensurate with the risks/threats that
they seek to addres without hampering mail flows or trade.
47.
He further informed that the UPU is working on implementing provisions for
Article 9 of the UPU Convention for approval by the Council of Administration (CA) and
the Postal Operations Council (PoC). He underscored the WCO’s role in developing a
harmonized and unified approach. He also highlighted concerns around data privacy
and protection and informed that the ‘Model Data Exchange Agreement’, which had
been agreed by the POC in its meeting this year, addressed such concerns to some
extent.
2
The CARDIT message is a consignment-level message, and is the electronic equivalent of the CN 37, CN 38, CN 41 or CN 47
delivery bill. It is sent from a postal operator to a carrier (airline) and contains information about a consignment of mail handed
over to a carrier.
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48.
In wide ranging discussions that followed, delegates acknowledged AEI as a
valuable multi-purpose tool for both posts and Customs to address and enhance
security, export control, the identification of shipments of contraband, speeding up of
Customs and fiscal processes, e-commerce and postal service delivery. Thoughts were
also given to consistency, a global model for security as well as fiscal clearance
including revenue collection and supporting IT networks.
49.
A delegate mentioned that Capacity Building was key for promoting an electronic
interface between posts and Customs and delved upon how the WCO could provide
assistance , also via their regional Capacity Building offices. The WCO explained its
corporate strategy for Capacity Building based on needs and requirements indicated by
Customs Members on an annual basis and explained the possible opportunity for
postal operators to liaise with their Customs counterparts on specific Capacity
Building/technical assistance requirements from the WCO.
50.
Some delegates also expressed some concerns around new mandatory
legislations by some countries/Customs Unions; data protection; high investment cost
in IT and related infrastructure and Capacity Building and stressed the need for
addressing them for moving forward. It was also emphasized that AEI should be
implemented in a mutually beneficial way e.g. Customs would be able to identify
potential risk efficiently and post should have smooth processes.
51.
Responding to a question from a delegate, the EU clarified that they were striving
towards harmonization – one law for all 28 Member States and that though the date of
implementation of the UCC would be 1 May 2016, success depended on the availability
and readiness of IT systems.
52.
The WCO Secretariat also explained ongoing work on global standards including
developing a text on broad principles of pre-loading ACI for inclusion in the SAFE FoS
2015. On the issue of data privacy and protection, the WCO instruments and tools in
the area of exchange of information between and among Customs administrations
such as Nairobi Convention, Model Bilateral Agreement on Mutual Assistance in
Customs Matters and GNC Legal Toolbox could potentially assist in addressing the
issue.
53.
The postal Co-Chair highlighted some concerns on challenges in terms of
investments and efforts required for data collection and impact on customers and
stressed the need for enabled re-use of electronic data for fiscal clearance and greater
facilitation. She informed about a roadmap for presentation of UPU’s implementation
strategy in April 2015 and reaffirmed to continue the mutual collaboration for speeding
up advance electronic data exchange.
Conclusion
54.
The Contact Committee underscored that electronic exchange of information
between Posts and Customs provided a more reliable, predictable and efficient
mechanism for carrying out timely risk analysis as well as speedy clearance of postal
items and reinforced the need for promoting such electronic interface as a priority with
renewed commitments.
55.
It also considered to further explore the possibility of conducting a joint survey on
the preparedness of postal operators and Customs administrations in terms of
accepting and using data in electronic format.
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e)
Update on the WCO Information Management Sub-Committee,
including the WCO Data Model
- Memorandum by the WCO
[Doc: PU0107 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5e)]
56.
The WCO provided an update on the outcomes of the 66th and 67th meetings of
the Information Management Sub-Committee (IMSC) held in January and July 2014,
highlighting the exploratory work on Product Identification Code, which could be helpful
to Customs in identifying the item in further detail and could potentially be useful for
better risk analysis by unlocking detailed information about the product. He explained
the ongoing work on the review of the WCO Single Window Compendium and the
development of a WCO Coordinated Border Management Compendium which.
57.
He also delved on how Customs could collaborate with post and how postal data
could be incorporated/integrated into a national single widow environment. In addition
he raised questions how Customs and post should collaborate in ensuring information
integrity, data quality, trade facilitation and efficient delivery of postal items while
collecting due revenue. Further exploration is required on including post’s standards,
tools and best practices in the WCO CBM Compendium with an intent of enabling
Customs administrations to better understand the operating context of posts, and to
find points of commonalities in each others’ work so as to improve work processes
through coordination and collaboration. He also informed about the ‘WCO Data Model
3.5 version’ as well as the ‘Information Package for Advance Electronic Information’,
where advance reporting requirements mainly focusing on maritime mode, were
mapped to the data elements of the SAFE Framework of Standards, and modelled to
provide a useful template for Members’ use. He informed that how this work could
potentially be expanded to air mode including mail.
58.
A delegate recognized that the CBM Compendium provided good opportunities
to raise awareness on tools and instruments that post would be developing. To a
specific question whether receptacle identifier3 had ever been validated by the WCO in
respect of the WCO Data Model, the WCO informed that the Data Model Project Team
(DMPT) would meet in January 2015 and this point could be discussed by the experts.
Conclusion
59.
3
The Contact Committee took note of the updates on the 66th and 67th meetings
of the IMSC including the WCO Data Model version 3.5, the WCO Single Window and
Coordinated Border Management (CBM) Compendiums, and agreed to further explore
the issue of receptacle ID in and by relevant bodies and to consider including UPU
instruments and tools in the CBM Compendium.
Receptacle is typically a bag or a tray containing postal items. It has a standard 29-character barcoded identifier.
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VI. SECURITY MATTERS
a)
WCO SAFE Working Group : SAFE Review - development of
standards on Pillar 3 (Customs to Other Government Agencies) as
well as work on data quality
- Memorandum by the WCO
[Doc: PU0108 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 6a)]
b)
Air Cargo Security : Outcomes of the eighth meeting of the Technical
Expert Group on Air Cargo Security (TEGACS) and first meeting of
the Joint Working Group of WCO – ICAO on ‘Pre-loading ACI’
- Memorandum by the WCO
[Doc: PU0109 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 6b)]
60.
Norway (Customs member) provided a brief background report on SAFE
Working Group (SWG) and updates on the outcome of its 13th meeting held from 15 to
17 October 2014, wherein the SWG endorsed a number of review proposals, in
particular a new ‘Pillar 3’ (Customs-to-Other-Government and Inter-Government
Agencies) and requirements of ‘Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information (ACI)’ for air
mode. He explained that Pillar 3 sought to foster closer cooperation between and
among Customs and other government agencies, to ensure an efficient and effective
government response to the challenges of supply chain security. He continued that the
provision for ‘pre-loading ACI’ was aimed at using raw data (7+1) which was to be
provided as early as possible but no later than prior to loading onto the aircraft, in
respect of air cargo and mail, for carrying out the first layer of security risk analysis.
61.
He also provided updates on the data quality work carried out to date such as the
draft ‘WCO Recommendation on the Guiding Principles for Data Quality’ and the
‘Guidelines on Acceptable and Unacceptable Terms for the Description of Goods’
along with the list of examples of acceptable and unacceptable descriptions of goods,
besides updates on the revised WCO AEO Compendium and the 2nd WCO Global AEO
Conference.
62.
The WCO made a presentation on its work on air cargo security in collaboration
with ICAO and other stakeholders, providing a brief overview of the outcomes of the
two meetings of the Technical Expert Group on Air Cargo Security (TEGACS) since the
last Contact Committee meeting. She mentioned the work on two streams of
cooperation in the area of air cargo security - the development of Global Standards in
the area of ‘Pre-loading Advance Cargo Information (ACI)’ and the need for
harmonization/alignment and cooperation of security programmes to avoid duplication.
The TEGACS had already agreed that the timing for ACI submission should be "as
soon as the information becomes available but no later than prior to loading onto the
aircraft” using 7+1 data elements tested in the pilots and developed a respective text
proposal which was considered by the SWG for inclusion in the SAFE FoS in 2015.
63.
She also elaborated on the ongoing cooperation between the WCO and ICAO in
terms of joint Action Plan, joint training module, joint pilot on security programmes,
updating the Joint Brochure, and the Joint Working Group on ACI (JWGACI) (which
includes the UPU) to discuss and recommend modalities for sharing and use of ACI in
carrying out security risk analysis by Customs and civil aviation authorities to mutually
support each other and strengthen air cargo security. She informed that after the
successful 1stmeeting held in Singapore in August 2014, the Group was going to have
13.
PU0115E1
a 2nd meeting in December 2014 to finalize the report for Phase1 and decide modalities
to move towards Phase 2 for determining practical and technical aspects of the joint
work.
Conclusion
64.
The Contact Committee took note of the developments concerning the WCO
SAFE review and air cargo security developments noting its impact on mail.
VII. NARCOTIC DRUGS IN MAIL
- Presentation by the Post Security Group
65.
The UPU made a presentation on the growing concern related to smuggling of
narcotic drugs through mail, enumerating some of the reasons for the abuse of postal
chain such as large outreach of the postal network, reasonable prices, reliability of
transport and acceptance of parcels without always strict inspection. She underlined
that the UPU Convention prohibited movement of the narcotics and psychotropic
substances through international mail. She further informed that the UPU is working on
adding reference to the International Narcotics Control Bureau (INCB) list of precursors
to make them also prohibited in international mail.
66.
She also mentioned their comprehensive approach in dealing with the issue
through a multi-dimensional strategy including education, prevention, interdiction and
investigations in close liaison and collaboration with law enforcement agencies and
other stakeholders.
67.
In the ensuing discussions, it was felt that scanning was not a 100% foolproof
mechanism to detect narcotics drugs and precursors and there was a need for
collaboration to develop additional measures to ensure removing such items from the
postal chain.
68.
The WCO provided a brief account/update on ‘Operation Skynet’, which had
been conducted in 2012, involving 67 Customs administrations and INTERPOL, in
close cooperation with postal operators, leading to a large number of detections and
seizures of a substantial amount of various narcotics/psychotropic substances and
precursors over a period of a few weeks. It was mentioned that around 80% of the
seizures came from mail stream and the lessons leaned included identifying good risk
indicators such as non-existent consignee and consignor or incomplete addresses. He
also informed that the WCO was exploring the possibility of conducting an ‘Operation
Skynet 2’.
69.
Delegates discussed and shared their concern on the drug smuggling situation
through mail and on related risk to posts, Customs staff and legitimate business. They
thanked the UPU and postal operators for their strong attention and support on this
issue.
Conclusion
70.
14.
The Contact Committee recognized the vulnerabilities of the postal supply chain
concerning smuggling of narcotics drugs, and emphasized the need for continued
enhanced collaboration between Customs and posts to come up with new strategies
and solutions to deal with the situation.
PU0115E1
VIII. OTHER REGULATIONS
a)
Report on the work of the virtual Working Group on Updating the
Guidelines for the Specific Annex J2 of the WCO Revised Kyoto
Convention (RKC)
- Presentation by United States of America (postal member)
b)
Procedure of updating/amending the RKC Guidelines
- Presentation by the WCO
71.
The US (postal member) made a presentation on the work of the virtual Working
Group on updating/revision of Guidelines to Chapter 2 of Specific Annex J of the RKC
to reflect growth of electronic processes, new regulations and procedures governing
postal items and emerging concerns. He mentioned that further discussions related to
replacing the PostEurop document "Framework Agreement between the Post and
Customs” with a newly developed document- the ‘Joint WCO−UPU guidelines for
developing a memorandum of understanding between Customs and the Post at the
national level’, besides deleting references to old projects and outdated technology and
developing some new text concerning advanced data exchange in Appendix 1. In
terms of timelines, he informed that the finalized draft would be presented to the Postal
Operations Council (POC) and the WCO in 2015 and thereafter one of the RKC
Contracting parties was to be consulted to bring the proposals for consideration of the
WCO RKC Management Committee (RKCMC).
72.
The WCO Secretariat made a presentation providing a brief overview of the
amendment/revision procedures of the RKC, its annexes, which could be
recommended by the RKCMC and agreed by the Contracting Parties in accordance
with Article 5 and 15 of the Convention. In addition, he informed that Guidelines not
being part of the Convention and not being legally binding, could be revised and
updated by the RKCMC.
Conclusion
73.
The Contact Committee took note of the presentation by the US and agreed, in
principle, to finalize the work on a proposal for updating the Guidelines to Chapter 2 of
SA.J to the RKC to reflect new developments.
c)
Proposals to amend form CN 22
- Memorandum by Canada (postal member)
[Doc: PU111 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 8c)]
74.
Canada (postal member) made a presentation on proposed changes in the CN22
Form that included the addition of an additional column for HS code(s); an option to
include a UPU S10 2-9-2 barcode; an additional Reason for Export (e.g. sale) and
removal of the requirement for net weight per commodity, besides amending the
completion instructions at the back. She explained the rationale for these proposals in
enabling shippers to indicate multiple HS numbers when shipping more than one
commodity; the ability to send ITMATT data on e-format items and to use the
information stored in the barcode for internal mechanized sorting; providing more
specific "Reason for export" as sale in the context of e-commerce; changing
requirement for net weight to correspond to M33-9 (Standard ITMATT message) and
providing clarity on expectations regarding acceptable descriptions and mandatory
15.
PU0115E1
fields while completing the form. She invited the Contact Committee to review and
endorse the proposals (already endorsed by the Customs Group of the UPU) to amend
the CN22 Customs Declaration.
75.
In the following discussions, while acknowledging the value of various proposals,
a number of Customs Members/Observers raised concerns on taking away weight,
which may lead to loosing an important piece of information on individual items and
stressed that it was a critical data element from Customs’ risk analysis point of view. A
delegate from Brazil also raised concern on the items being imported by mentioning as
gift and proposed to remove ‘Gift’ as a category and leave such descriptions to be
specified under ‘ Other’.
76.
Responding to the concerns, Canada (postal member) mentioned that they
would agree to remove the proposal on weight and move forward with the other
proposals, which would support e-commerce. She also explained that adding ‘sale of
goods’ as a separate category would certainly help the situations where commercial
items sent as “gift”. She further mentioned that “gift” as a category of item would be
needed as there are also different de minimis thresholds for gift and other items.
Conclusion
77.
The Contact Committee approved the proposals to amend CN22 except the
proposal for removal of item-wise weight, considering the latter’s importance for
Customs’ risk analysis (Annex III).
IX. ISSUES RELATED TO E-COMMERCE
a)
Customs related issues
- Presentation by the UPU International Bureau
b)
Outcomes of the PTC discussions concerning e- commerce
- Memorandum by the WCO
[PU0112 (UPU Doc. No. : POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 9b)]
c)
Merchandize return service
- Presentation by the UPU International Bureau
78.
The UPU made a presentation on their e-commerce programme (ECOMPRO)
which is targeted to accelerate the development of an integrated postal e-commerce
delivery solution and the creation of a platform for e-commerce services including
payment, e-shopping, electronic exchange and interoperability with Customs’ systems.
It also aims to improve quality and efficiency through common standards across the
global network, recognizing the increasing control of customers over the selection,
order and delivery of items. She informed that EMSEVT3 and ITMATT would be
mandatory from 2016 for any member using e-commerce services. She also provided
information on Customs clearance performance across the globe, in terms of total time
taken for postal-Customs clearance and urged for close cooperation to further improve
the situation, including improving quality of CN23 information and the rolling out of CDS
from UPU side.
79.
The WCO provided an update on the outcomes of the WCO Permanent
Technical Committee (PTC)’s discussions concerning e-commerce. He mentioned,
16.
PU0115E1
inter alia, the WCO’s ongoing work in supporting e-commerce by developing
international standards for Customs and promoting Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
in the Customs environment and provided details on various WCO tools and
instruments such as the WCO Baku Declaration on e-commerce, the WCO Immediate
Release Guidelines, the RKC – ICT Guidelines, the Recommendation on
Dematerialization of Supporting Documents and the Compendium on How to Build
Single Window Environment.
80.
He further mentioned that the PTC had identified e-commerce as a priority item
and at its 205th /206th sessions, the PTC had discussed some of the key issues
concerning e-commerce such as e-freight, dematerialization of supporting documents,
growing number of faceless traders and de minimis as well as some more specific
issues concerning postal parcels such as ‘electronic exchange of data between Post
and Customs’ and ‘merchandise return service’ and had recognized the potential need
of business process re-engineering by Customs and Post to meet emerging issues
more efficiently and effectively. It had also underscored the need for greater
collaboration between Customs and Post in terms of electronic exchange of information,
due diligence, data quality and faster clearance. As the PTC had decided to continue
work in the area of e-commerce under its Work Programme 2013-2016, specific inputs
were invited from the Contact Committee for future work.
81.
The UPU also made a presentation explaining their ‘Merchandize Return Service’
(MRS) enabling buyers to return items which they do not want. She explained, inter alia,
that responding to customer requirements and considering that return services were of
strategic importance to e-commerce, the UPU Congress 2012 had prioritized the
development of a simple and efficient MRS, wherein the distant seller provides the ecustomer with a return label and the latter then simply needs to drop the unwanted
purchase at a post office with the return label without any postage payment. The
service would be rolled out first for EMS and then for parcels starting Jan 2015. Next
steps would include working with Customs in identifying the items as return items to
avoid taxing them again and to process refund of paid duties and taxes efficiently.
82.
Talking about the potential areas for cooperation in the context of rapidly growing
e-commerce, she made some suggestions including Capacity Building activities on
advance electronic data, exploring the possibly of a survey to ascertain preparedness
of postal and Customs members to send and receive data electronically and use them,
improving data quality and processes through continuous feedback, using electronic
data to facilitate the return process and refund of duties and taxes, working on delivery
duty paid solutions for customers and meeting in smaller groups more frequently to find
solutions to emerging challenges.
83.
Delegates appreciated the WCO’s and UPU’s focus on this area. In the
discussion that followed, the need for making clearance processes simpler and making
return service more efficient was emphasized. Delegates underlined the importance of
advance electronic data in risk analysis which also helped in faster clearance and the
need for looking to import and export process together. They recognized the difference
in the business models of couriers and EMS. Once more delegates expressed
concerns on abuses of e-commerce channels for smuggling of prohibited/restricted
goods, counterfeited goods, high value dutiable goods and evasion of duty & taxes as
well as other frauds related to valuation or origin, also leading to inaccurate statistics.
84.
Delegates supported the idea of exploring the possibility of conducting the
proposed survey on who is ready to receive and use electronic data and of having
more frequent meetings for detailed discussions intersessionally, if needed. The UPU
further informed about their various tools to support e-commerce such as CDS, mail
17.
PU0115E1
management system, global post identifier .post (trusted person) and linking the
payment system with CDS and International Postal System (IPS).
Conclusion
85.
The Contact Committee recognized the importance of growing e-commerce and
discussed various ways and means to deal with emerging issues with a view to
developing collaborative solutions. It decided to set up a virtual working group of
interested Members/Observers to carry forward this work intersessionally.
X. WTO AGREEMENT ON TRADE FACILITATION (TFA) –PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES
OF THE WCO
- Presentation by the WCO
86.
The WCO made a presentation on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA)
highlighting the recent developments on adoption of the Protocol, thereby opening the
Agreement for accession by the WTO Members and its coming into effect when 2/3rd of
the Members would have acceded to the Agreement. She mentioned that the WCO
had been very much involved during the negotiations to support Members and
immediately after the conclusion of the TFA in Bali last year, had issued the “Dublin
Resolution” emphasizing the commitment of the WCO to an efficient and harmonized
implementation of the TFA and had set up a Working Group on the TFA involving all
other government agencies and other stakeholders to look into practical aspects of the
implementation. She elaborated that the WCO instruments and tools, in particular the
RKC, support various provisions of the TFA and further informed about the WCO’s web
based ‘Implementation Guidance’ and the ‘Mercator Programme’ launched during the
June 2014 WCO Council Sessions, aiming to support the implementation of the TFA by
providing tailor made Capacity Building an technical assistance.
87.
The TFA being applicable to all modes including post, she, inter alia, mentioned
some of the provisions specifically relevant to posts such as publication and availability
of information; pre-arrival processing; expedited shipments; authorized operator
scheme, risk management; single window, etc. She highlighted some of the potential
areas of the TFA where Customs and post can collaborate such as exploring on the
UPU’s .Post domain user in the context of AO/AEO requirements, publication of all the
relevant information relating to postal-Customs clearance as well as border agency
cooperation and single window.
88.
She further mentioned that involvement of posts in National Trade Facilitation
Committees set up under article 23.2 of the TFA, could also be explored, in terms of
working together with other agencies and stakeholders on the trade facilitation agenda.
Detailed information about the WCO’s work on the TFA can be consulted at http://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/wco-implementing-the-wto-atf/atf.aspx
Conclusion
89.
18.
The Contact Committee took note of the current developments on the WTO TFA
and noted the potential role of postal operators in the overall implementation of the TFA
as well as working with Customs and other agencies in terms of border agency
cooperation, single window and other relevant provisions.
PU0115E1
XI. WCO-UPU Contact Committee Work Plan
- Memorandum by Postal spokesperson and Customs spokesperson
[Doc : PU0113 (UPU Doc. No: POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 11)]
90.
The Chairperson introduced the draft Work Plan for 2013-2106 (Annex to Doc
PU0113E), which had been developed intersessionally by both Secretariats and both
Spokespersons. Highlighting some of the key actions/deliverables, he urged the
delegates to review the draft Work Plan and to provide concrete suggestions and
timelines. The postal Co-Chair highlighted the need for more work on the e-commerce
topic.
91.
In wide ranging discussions, the Contact Committee decided to set up a virtual
working group on e-commerce to carry out further work intersessionally. Norway
Customs and UK Post volunteered to act as co-facilitators and Australia, Canada,
Brazil and the Netherlands indicated their interest to participate in the group. The group
would develop its own terms of reference/objectives. Other interested
Members/Observers were invited to indicate their willingness regarding to join the
working group to the Secretariat at the earliest possible.
92.
Considering the completion and subsequent progress on the mandated work, the
working group on the WCO-UPU Joint Postal Customs Guide and Joint Guidelines on
MoU was dissolved.
93.
Discussing the item on electronic interface, delegates recognized the need for
more work in terms of developing a detailed plan, finalization of recommendations and
an implementation plan. The postal Co-Chair (Facilitator of the Group) informed that
they aimed to come up with a detailed plan and an implementation strategy for UPU
members by April 2015. A delegate mentioned that Capacity Building was essential for
moving towards electronic interface and suggested to leverage from the ongoing work
in the area of Capacity Building between Customs and posts. It was also agreed to
change the working group on ‘Interface between Customs and Posts’ to working group
on ‘Electronic interface between Customs and Posts’.
94.
While agreeing to continue the work on the proposed revision of the RKC
guidelines to SA J.2 as a priority, it was agreed to have a clear timelines. The postal
Co-Chair and Facilitator of the Group (US Post) indicated that the finalized work was
likely to be presented to the PoC in April 2015 and then it could be submitted for the
Contact Committee’s consideration and endorsement at its next meeting in November
2015.
Related to capacity building, a delegate suggested that besides workshops,
regional roundtables could also be organized through regional capacity building entities.
He further suggested incorporating the UPU’s tools and instruments under the relevant
Chapter of the WCO Coordinated Border Management Compendium, to raise
awareness, which would also be useful for regional workshops.
95.
96.
On the possibility of promoting the SAFE AEO concept in the postal supply chain,
a delegate mentioned that besides AEO status for postal operators, this concept may
be extended to big traders and large mailers, who could fulfil the AEO conditions and
requirements. Another delegate mentioned that while there was merit in promoting and
integrating AEO concepts in the postal supply chain, it should be borne in mind that in
many cases postal operators were government agencies, which may create difficulties
in awarding AEO status to such postal operators. It was decided that both Secretariats
and Spokespersons would develop a discussion paper on this topic.
19.
PU0115E1
97.
It was felt that there was need for changing the title of the Customs Matters
Guide (CMG) to avoid any potential confusion with other documents. UPU Secretariat
would look into it and report back to the Contact Committee.
98.
On Merchandise Return Service (MRS), the postal Co-Chair mentioned that
there was an opportunity to reuse electronic data wherever available to facilitate the
return of such items and to allow the refund of duties and taxes paid. He felt that was a
need to work in this area to develop collaborative solutions. It was decided to advance
this item before the next meeting mainly coordinated by the UPU. The UPU would also
report progress on potentially reducing the number of paper copies of multi-part UPU
Customs declarations (notably Form CP 72) during the next meeting.
Conclusion
99.
The Contact Committee endorsed the ‘Work Plan for 2013-2016’, with suggested
changes/adjustments and indicative timelines (appended at Annex II to the report).
Members/Observers may like to send any further suggestions/proposals, in writing to
the Secretariats as soon as possible.
XII. OTHER BUSINESS
100.
101.
The Custom Co-Chairperson thanked all the delegates and expressed his
satisfaction on the progress made by the Contact Committee. He also informed that the
report of the meeting would soon be finalized by both Secretariats and the
Spokespersons. The postal Co-Chair also thanked the delegates and appreciated the
increased participation in the meeting. The Chairperson then declared the 34th Meeting
of the WCO/UPU Contact Committee closed.
All the presentations are available at the WCO Members’ web site.
*
*
20.
*
Annex I to
doc PU0115E1
List of participants in the 34th meeting of the WCO–UPU Contact Committee
Customs Co-Chair
Post Co-Chair
: Dean Church, Australia/Customs
: Stephanie Glover, Canada/Post
WCO Members
No.
Name
Country
E-mail
1
Dean Church
Australia/Customs (Co-Chair)
dean.church@customs.gov.au
2
Hardeep Batra
India/Customs
fst@indembassy.be
3
Rajendra Meena
India/Customs
ss.trade@indembassy.be
4
Nicola Antonio Laurelli
Italy/Customs
nicolaantonio.laurelli@agenziadogane.it
5
Mohd Faizal Adaries
Salleh
Malaysia/Customs
m_faizal.salleh@customs.gov.my
6
Jorge Villavicencio Merino
Peru/Customs
jvillavicencio@sunat.gob.pe
7
Özlem Soysanli
Turkey/Customs
O.Soysanli@gtb.gov.tr
WCO Observers
No.
Name
Country
E-mail
1
Edna Rosi Beltrão Moretto
Brazil/Customs
edna.moretto@receita.fazenda.gov.br
2
Pierre Paquet
Canada/Customs
pierre.paquet@international.gc.ca
3
Steve Fortier
Canada/Customs
Steve.Fortier@international.gc.ca
4
Ding Ye
China/Customs
dingye@skynet.be
5
Suzanne Stauffer
EU/DGTAXUD
Suzanne.Stauffer@ec.europa.eu
6
Karel De Greve
EU/DGTAXUD
karel.de-greve@ec.europa.eu
7
John-Christopher Byrne
EU/Ireland
John.Byrne@dfa.ie
8
Steven Payne
Great Britain/Customs
steven.payne@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
9
Kazuhiro Tadokoro
Japan/Customs
kazuhiro.tadokoro@mof.go.jp
10
Yukitomo Usutani
Japan/Customs
yukitomo.usutani@mofa.go.jp
11
Jaklien de Jong
Netherlands/Customs
j.s.jong@minfin.nl
12
Viggo Elster
Norway/Customs
Viggo.Elster@toll.no
13
Roy Skårslette
Norway/Customs
roy.skarslette@gmail.com
14
Abdurrahman M. AlKherb
Saudi Arabia/Customs
alkherb@gmail.com
15
Abdulaziz A. AlFlaih
Saudi Arabia/Customs
aaf1381@hotmail.com
16
Bandar Z. AlBasheer
Saudi Arabia/Customs
conventions@customs.gov.sa
17
Michael Marugg
Switzerland/Customs
michael.marugg@ezv.admin.ch
18
Medjessiribi Agoro
Togo/Customs
amedjessiribi@otr.tg
19
Francois Abouzi
Togo/Customs
abkfp1@yahoo.fr
20
Shawn Beddows
USA/Customs
BeddowsSC@state.gov
I/1.
Annex I to
doc PU0084E1
UPU Members
No.
Name
Country
E-mail
1
Alberto de Mello Mattos
Brazil/Post
mellom@correios.com.br
2
Rose Mary Antunes
Brazil/Regulator
rose.mary@comunicacoes.gov.br
3
Stephanie Glover
Canada/Post (Co-Chair)
stephanie.glover@canadapost.ca
4
David Pilkington
Great Britain/Post
david.f.pilkington@royalmail.com
5
Marco Cannata
Italy/Post
cannat32@posteitaliane.it
6
Sakae Kamibayashi
Japan/Post
sakae.kamibayashi.ey@jp-post.jp
7
Koji Ouchi
Japan/Post
koji.ouchi@mofa.go.jp
8
Margaret Nordberg
Norway/Post
margaret.nordberg@bring.com
9
Peter Chandler
United States of America/Post
peter.r.chandler@usps.gov
(through telecom)
UPU Observers
No.
Name
Country
E-mail
1
Glendon Phillips
Australia/Post (through telecom)
glendon.phillips@auspost.com.au
2
Richard Revyn
Belgium/Post
richard.revyn@bpost.be
3
Christelle Defaye-Geneste
France/Post
christelle.geneste@laposte.fr
4
Reinard Fischer
Germany/Post
r.fischer-zoll@deutschepost.de
5
Elisabetta Pietrarelli
Italy/Post
e.pietrarelli@posteitaliane.it
6
Tiddo Bresters
Netherlands/Post
tiddo.bresters@postnl.nl
7
Khalid I. Almohammed
Saudi Arabia/Post
kimohamed@sp.com.sa
8
Cristina Cuerda Albaladejo
Spain/Post
cristina.cuerda@correos.com
Universal Postal Union
No.
Name
Organization
E-mail
1
Bilal Ahmad Khan
Universal Postal Union
bilalahmad.khan@upu.int
2
Wendy Eitan
Universal Postal Union
wendy.eitan@upu.int
3
Rhéal Leblanc
Universal Postal Union
rheal.leblanc@upu.int
4
Harald Weyerich
Universal Postal Union
harald.weyerich@upu.int
World Customs Organization
No.
Name
Organization
E-mail
1
Gaozhang Zhu
WCO
Gaozhang.Zhu@wcoomd.org
2
Heike Barczyk
WCO
Heike.Barczyk@wcoomd.org
I/2.
Annex I to
doc PU0115E1
3
Asha Menon
WCO
Asha.Menon@wcoomd.org
4
P N Pandey
WCO
PN.Pandey@wcoomd.org
5
Milena Budimirovic
WCO
Milena.Budimirovic@wcoomd.org
6
Donald Tan
WCO
Donald.Tan@wcoomd.org
7
Oluimo Da Silva
WCO
Oluimo.DaSilva@wcoomd.org
*
*
*
I/3.
Annex II to
doc PU0115E1
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DES DOUANES
Established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council
Créée en 1952 sous le nom de Conseil de coopération douanière
WCO/UPU
CONTACT COMMITTEE
th
34 Meeting
-
PU0099E1c
Brussels, 17 November 2014.
DRAFT AGENDA FOR THE WCO/UPU CONTACT COMMITTEE
______________________________________________
(Brussels, from Tuesday 25 November to Wednesday 26 November 2014)
Agenda
Item
Number
I.
Subject
Opening of the Meeting and adoption of the Agenda
Document
PU0099E
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 1
II.
Report of the 33rd meeting of the WCO–UPU Contact
Committee held on 18 and 19 November 2013
-
Memorandum by Canada (postal member)
PU0100E
POC C 1 CG 2014.1–Doc 2b
III.
Overview /update of the WCO Council meeting
-
Presentation by the WCO
II/1.
Annex II to
doc PU0084E1
Agenda
Item
Number
IV.
Subject
Document
Capacity-building
d) Promoting the Joint WCO-UPU guidelines for
developing a memorandum of understanding
between Customs and Post at the national level
- Memorandum by UPU International Bureau and
the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 4a
PU0101E
e) Promoting the Joint WCO-UPU Postal Customs
Guide
- Memorandum by the UPU International Bureau
and the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 4b
f)
PU0102E
Customs Declaration System and benefits of
interface with Customs
- Presentation on the Customs Declaration System
(CDS) by the UPU Postal Technology Centre
- Presentation by Canada (postal member)
g) Mail modernisation initiatives and Narcotics in Mail
- Presentation by Australia (Customs member)
h) Awareness-raising campaign on dangerous and
prohibited goods
- Presentation by the UPU International Bureau
i) Customs Matters Guide
- Memorandum by the UPU International Bureau
POC C 1 CG 2014.2–Doc 5e
j)
Organization of 2015 WCO–UPU customs workshop
in China (People's Rep.)
– Memorandum by the UPU International Bureau
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 4g
II/2.
PU0103E
PU0114E
Annex II to
doc PU0115E1
Agenda
Item
Number
V.
Subject
Document
Advance electronic exchange of data between Posts and
Customs
f)
Provision for advance electronic information
- Memorandum by the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5a
PU0104E
g) Report/update on work of the virtual Working
Group for developing recommendations regarding
interface between customs and posts
- Memorandum by Canada (postal member)
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5b
VI.c)
PU0105E
Advance electronic information requirements
- Memorandum by Great Britain (postal member)
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5b
PU0110E
h) Provision for advance electronic information
- Presentation by EU
i)
Regulatory Framework for Advance Electronic
Information regarding postal items
- Memorandum by Netherlands (postal member)
POC C 1 CG 2014.2–Doc 7a
j)
-
PU0106E
Update on WCO Information Management SubCommittee, including the WCO Data Model-
- Memorandum by the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 5e
PU0107E
II/3.
Annex II to
doc PU0084E1
Agenda
Item
Number
VI.
Subject
Document
Security matters
c) WCO SAFE Working Group : SAFE Review development of standards on Pillar 3 (Customs to
Other Government Agencies) as well as work on
data quality
- Memorandum by the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 6a
PU0108E
d) Air Cargo Security : Outcomes of the eight meeting
of the Technical Expert Group on Air Cargo
Security (TEGACS) and first meeting of the Joint
Working Group of WCO – ICAO on ‘Pre-loading
ACI’
- Memorandum by the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 6b
VII.
Narcotic Drugs in Mail
-
VIII.
PU0109E
Presentation by Australia (Customs member)
Presentation by the Post Security Group
Other Regulations
d)
Report on the work of the virtual Working
Group on Updating the Guidelines for the
Specific Annex J2 of the WCO Revised Kyoto
Convention
- Presentation by United States of America
(postal member)
e) Procedure of updating/amending the RKC
Guidelines
- Presentation by the WCO
f)
Proposals to amend form CN 22
- Memorandum by Canada (postal member)
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 8c
II/4.
PU0111E
Annex II to
doc PU0115E1
Agenda
Item
Number
IX.
Subject
Document
Issues related to e-commerce
d) Customs related issues
- Presentation by the UPU International Bureau
b) Outcomes of the PTC discussions concerning ecommerce
- Memorandum by the WCO
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 9b
PU0112E
c) Merchandize return service
- Presentation by the UPU International Bureau
X.
WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) –preparatory
activities of the WCO
- Presentation by the WCO
XI.
WCO-UPU Contact Committee Work Plan
-
Memorandum by Postal spokesperson and
Customs spokesperson
PU0113E
POC C 1 CG WCO–UPU CC 2014.1–Doc 11
XII.
Any other business
*
*
*
II/5.
Annex III to
doc PU0115E1
III/1.
Annex III to
doc PU0084E1
III/2.
Annex IV to
doc PU0115E1
WCO–UPU Contact Committee Work Plan 2013–2016
Subprogramme
No.
Topic
Key tasks/actions and/or indicators
Performance indicators
A
Continue the work of the WCO–
UPU Contact Committee
Establish virtual working groups under
the main committee to advance work
Three working groups established:
Timeline
– Working Group on Kyoto J 2 guidelines
revision
– Working group for electronic interface
between Customs and Posts
–
B
Facilitate, simplify and harmonize
customs formalities in respect of
postal items
Working Group on e-commerce
Continue updating the WCO–UPU
Postal Customs Guide and the WCO–
UPU guidelines for developing a
memorandum of understanding between
Customs and Posts at the national level
Promoting WCO–UPU Postal Customs Guide
and the WCO–UPU guidelines for developing
a memorandum of under-standing between
Customs and Posts at the national level
Continuous activity
– Consider impact of e-commerce on
customs declarations forms and the
opportunity to improve compliance
therewith
– Develop strategy to meet the challenges of
growth in e-commerce
Working Group to
report in November
2015
– Seek ways of reducing the number of
paper copies required with multi-part
UPU customs declarations (notably
form CP 72)
– Developing joint awareness at national
and regional level
– Study completed by the UPU Customs
Group in conjunction with the WCO–UPU
Contact Committee- Conducting joint
Survey to ascertain the preparedness of
postal operators and Customs
administrations in terms of accepting and
using data in electronic format.
UPU to report
progress
(November 2014)
IV/1.
Annex IV to
doc PU0115E1
Subprogramme
No.
Topic
Key tasks/actions and/or indicators
Performance indicators
C
Electronic exchange of data
between Posts and Customs to
support the WCO Strategic Plan
2013/2014–2015/2016 –
"Promoting electronic pre-advice
on postal items based on WCO–
UPU Customs/Post EDI
messages" and the Doha Postal
Strategy adopted by the 2012
UPU Congress – "Increasing
postal integrity and security and
facilitating customs processes as
well as stimulating the use of
information and communication
technologies to improve access
and performance"
– Develop, maintain standards for UPU
Customs EDI messaging
– Message standards developed, maintenance occurs as they move into widespread production
IV/2.
– Develop strategy to incentivize use of
electronic customs declaration
information and reduce the number
of hard copies of CN 23s (or CP 72s)
accompanying items mailed
Establish and utilize the electronic
interface working group from A above to
develop recommendations, guidelines
and best practices and to raise members'
awareness of the possibilities and
solutions available in respect of advance
data
Timeline
– Number of designated operators and
customs administrations a) sending,
b) receiving, and c) using electronic customs declaration information
– Working group established
-
Detailed work plan to be developed and
implemented
To obtain knowledge/information from the
work done in the Capacity building, in
developing the recommendation,
guidelines and best practices
April 2015 (UPU)
Nov 2015 (WCOUPU Contact
Committee)
Annex IV to
doc PU0115E1
Subprogramme
No.
Topic
Key tasks/actions and/or indicators
Performance indicators
Promote the use of Customs/Post EDI
messages and electronic exchange of
information between Posts and Customs
at national level with a view to
enhancing security and facilitation of
postal items
– Promoting pilots between Posts and
Customs at national level on implementation of electronic advance reporting
requirements
Timeline
– Work to improve electronic connectivity
between Posts and Customs; Customs
can use POST*Net for data exchange with
Posts and examine the interconnection of
CDS/POST*Net with the GNC (Globally
Networked Customs)
– Work jointly to identify mechanisms to
ensure reliable and rapid data exchange
designed to minimize impact on postal
operational processes, including guidelines for the timing of customs risk
assessment and response processes
– Share implementation strategy (UPU)
C (cont.)
Work on Advance Electronic Information
(AEI) exchange for postal articles
– Study and monitor the outcomes of ongoing pilots and other international developments in the postal context
April 2015
– Maintain regular contact with EU, United
States of America, Canada, China
(People's Rep.) and other major stakeholders to ensure that any postal preadvice data is based on CN 23 data only
Work on data quality
– Follow the work of the WCO on data
quality
– Working with Posts on improving data
accuracy and adequacy
April 2015
IV/3.
Annex IV to
doc PU0115E1
Subprogramme
No.
Topic
Key tasks/actions and/or indicators
Performance indicators
Timeline
D
The Revised Kyoto Convention –
work to update the guidelines to
Specific Annex J2 and assist
WCO with efforts for increased
accession
– Provide feedback to WCO on completed questionnaire relating to
Revised Kyoto Convention
– Completed study by the WCO–UPU virtual
working group to update guidelines to
Specific Annex J2
April 2015 (UPU)
– Undertake to update guidelines to
Annex J2
– Working Group engaging the WCO on
guideline updates
Nov 2015 (WCOUPU CC)
– Agree on a timeline for moving
forward the suggestion for
amending/updating the Guidelines
– Engage to update guidelines to
annex J 2
E
Capacity-building activities
Plan regional workshops and examine
other vehicles through work of virtual
working groups
– UPU and WCO have workshops noted in
plans, additional content and actions will
evolve out of working group activities and
other opportunities (e.g. the WCO IT conference)
– Holding of specific postal-customs'
workshops to spread knowledge of the
CDS functionality for Customs/security
IV/4.
-
provide input to guide the electronic
interface group moving forward –
-
undertake assessment of needs
-
Coordinated Border Management –
Customs & Post cooperation
-
Questionnaire
-
Regional round tables
-
UPU to provides its tools and
instruments for adding in the WCO CBM
Compendium
Continuous
Annex IV to
doc PU0115E1
Subprogramme
No.
Topic
Key tasks/actions and/or indicators
Performance indicators
Timeline
F
Security and safety of the postal
supply chain through effective
control of postal items
– Study with WCO the possibility to
have an "AEO (Authorized Economic
Operator) status for designated
postal operators and other actors in
the postal supply chain
– Develop a discussion paper to define the
"AEO status for post"
July 2015
(Secretariats & Cochairs)
– Integration and promotion of SAFE
AEO concept into postal network
– Curbing dangerous goods in postal
supply chain
– Examine opportunities to help member countries with awareness campaigns and materials
– Focus on prohibited goods,
counterfeited/pirated goods, narcotic
drugs and other illicit trade through
mail
– Update and promote the Postal
Export Guide, including the Customs
Matters Guide
– Integrate PEG for prohibitions and
restrictions into CDS
– In collaboration with the UPU Postal
Security Group, investigate best
practices that could be included in
the WCO–UPU Postal Customs
Guide and the WCO–UPU MoU
guidelines to help Posts and
Customs in bolstering the security
and safety of the postal supply chain
as regards dangerous items (for
example, information from the destination that would help the origin to
prevent re-occurrences of dangerous
items)
– Degree of integration with regard to WCO
instruments
– Contact Committee consulted on a nonmailable matter campaign under development by the UPU; work to continue with
deployment of this and other
tools/awareness
– Completion of review of Customs Matters
Guide (Consider title change)
– Exploring addition of new protocols in the
Joint WCO-UPU Postal Customs Guide
and the Joint WCO-UPU MoU Guidelines
– Integration of PEG CDS done; content of
PEG to be completed
– Suitable text on best practices is added to
the relevant publications and communicated to designated operators and customs administrations
IV/5.
Annex IV to
doc PU0115E1
Subprogramme
No.
Topic
Key tasks/actions and/or indicators
Performance indicators
G
Work to develop customer tools
to streamline return of goods and
refunds, duty payment options
– Engage in dialogue with WCO as
developments occur related to ecommerce (returns, duty pre-payment, etc.)
– Dialogue planned as a result of initial
Contact Committee meeting in 2013 so as
to develop tactical plans
– Implement in CDS a functionality for
calculating the difference between
original shipment and returned goods
and to re-submit a "net" declaration
for re-calculation of taxes/duties;
creating forms/statements for buyer
to request refund of import tax/duty
and for vendor to request free reentry of goods
– Create possibility to use IFS technology for e-commerce payments,
including customs duty/tax payments
– Functional description to be done
– COMPAS (eCOMmerce PAyment System)
concept: aim is to link physical item
(carrying a CN 23 declaration and having
electronic pre-advice) to the postal
payment system. This system would be
able to process payments for merchandise
to the vendor and for tax/duty/other import
cost to Customs. Customs could then
directly receive payment from either the
sender or the receiver. There would be a
track and trace function where the
payment status for an import shipment
could be reviewed at the time of import
– Explore simplified ways to return goods
and refund duty/taxes already paid
___________________
IV/6.
Timeline