WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/VAL/N/4/JAM/2
1 December 2000
(00-5208)
Committee on Customs Valuation Original:  English
NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE DECISION UNDER PARAGRAPH 1
OF ANNEX III OF TH E AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION
OF ARTICLE VII OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE 1994
JAMAICA
The following communication, dated 21 November 2000, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Jamaica.
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In accordance with paragraph 2 of the Committee's Decision to grant Jamaica an extension of
the transition period (G/VAL/24) and further to the oral report presented at the 7 November meeting
of the Committee, attached is the written report on the status of implementation of the Customs
Valuation Agreement and progress in fulfilling the work programme in Annex I to the said Decision.
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REPORT ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE VALUATION
AGREEMENT BY JAMAICA AS AT 30TH OCTOBER 2000
In keeping with the commitment given in Jamaica's request (under Article 20.2 of the
Valuation Agreement) for a one-year extension of the transitional period for implementation, Jamaica
has made a concerted effort to complete its preparation.
Despite this effort however, there has been  some slippage in the time-frame for the
completion of some activities, which were indicated in the work programme submitted with the
extension request.  This has been due to some of the same concerns, which were indicated in the
request for an extension, namely limited skilled human resources and budgetary constraints affecting
cash flow.
It is nevertheless anticipated that Jamaica will still be ready for implementation of the
Agreement by March 9th 2001.
Passage of Legislation
As was indicated in the request for an extension under Article 20.2, Jamaica has sought to
ensure that the national legislation not only supports the spirit of the Agreement but that the
provisions are in place to ensure that the revenue loss and under-valuation is contained.  The technical
team responsible for the legislation has therefore worked assiduously to ensure this end.
Progress in completing the draft Bill was, however, affected by the fact that there were
competing demands in the Chief Parliamentary Counsel's Office for drafting time.  This was due toG/VAL/N/4/JAM/2
Page 2
the fact that other very important and time-consuming legislative measures, such as a complete
restructuring of the regulatory framework of th e Insurance Sector, competed with the Valuation
legislation for the attention of the draftsmen.  This resulted in a long turn around time for amendments
to be completed.
Jamaica is however, pleased to advise that the Draft Bill was considered by Cabinet, approved
by the Legislative Committee and is now before Cabinet for approval for Tabling in Parliament.  It is
now anticipated that the Legislation will be ready for implementation by the 2nd week of
January 2001.
Preparation of Administrative Procedures
Preparation of the Administrative Procedures is in progress and should be completed by the
end of November.  This activity has been influenced by the contents of a handbook, generously made
available by the United Kingdom Customs and Excise department, who have continued to act as a
source of guidance in Jamaica's preparation for implementation.  In addition, use has been made of the
recently released Customs Valuation Control Handbook, as well as the Guidelines on Drafting
National Valuation Legislation for Implementation of the Valuation Agreement, both prepared by theWorld Customs Organization.
Adjustments to references to the relevant sections of the legislation may have to be made to
these procedures should amendments to the Bill be made in Parliament.
Training
The timing for training shown in the original work programme has been affected by the
changes in scheduling by trainers from overseas.
Training by the World  Customs Organization
The World Customs Organization acceded to Jamaica's request for Technical Assistance and
originally promised to provide a trainer in September 2000.  This date was then changed to October
2000, but has now been revised to mid-January 2001.
Training by Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC)
Jamaica also made a request to CCLEC to provide assistance in training, since it was accepted
that the one week training course offered by th e WCO would be inadequate.  CCLEC approved this
request and offered to provide trainers from Canada, who were scheduled to commence training in
October.  This was however delayed due to personn el problems and the Canadian trainers are now due
to arrive in Jamaica on November 13th 2000 on a fact finding mission.  The actual dates for training
and the content of the course are to be determined at that time.
Overseas Training
A local official who is playing a crucial role in the implementation of the Agreement has
benefitted from a one-month training course conducted under the  auspices of the Commonwealth
Secretariat and the government of India.  This exposure will greatly assist her in carrying out training
by local personnel.G/VAL/N/4/JAM/2
Page 3
Provision of Infrastructure
Space, Furniture, Computers
The provision of infrastructure has been affected by budgetary constraints and this is going to
result in some slippage in the completion of this activity and impact negatively on the preparedness to
use the database.
Space to accommodate the Unit to implement th e Agreement has necessitated the reallocation
of other Unites to new locations, and this has created costs over and above that which were first
anticipated.  This issue is now being addressed and the Unit will be partially housed by the end of
December 2000 with accommodation for the full staff complement being provided the end of January
2001.  Approximately half of the furniture required has already been purchased and the remainder isto be provided as soon as the space becomes available.  Twenty-five computers are now on order and
these will be delivered by the end of December 2000.
Establishment of the Valuation Unit
The structure of the Unit has been approved, all Job Descriptions have been prepared and the
posts have been classified for payment and approval to operate these posts has been received.  The
senior positions in the Unit have been advertised and interviews are scheduled for the third week in
November.  Senior personnel will therefore be in place to assist with implementation from the
beginning of December 2000.
Establishment of database (Computerized)
Identification of funding
Funding for computerization of the entire Customs Department is to be provided by the
Customs Modernization Project, however this will not be released until fiscal year 2001/2002.  Inorder to meet the March deadline computerization of the valuation process is therefore restricted to
activities for which funding was already approved in the Customs budget for Year 2000/2001.
Identification of package
This activity has also been shifted to the Customs Modernization Project and the same
constraints will apply.  An invitation for tenders to be submitted will also be made as soon as the
funds are released.
Design of Computer Linkages
Facilities now exist to provide linkages between major collection points in the Customs
systems.  However, the other collection points (except for 3 very minor operations) have stand-alone
systems which will only allow "red flagging" of high risks items.  There is no provision to allowlinkages to a central system at this time as this will have to be undertaken by the Customs
Modernization Project.
Installation of New System
Completion of the design of the new system is scheduled to take place by the end of
November.  The installation of the new computerized system will take place as soon as the computers
are installed at the end of December 2000.G/VAL/N/4/JAM/2
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Preparation of high risk list
In order to identify the areas of highest risk for under-valuation and revenue loss use is being
made of the experiences of other countries, which have implemented the Agreement, as well as areas
covered in the Customs Control Handbook.  A list of the items, which attract the greatest quantum, is
also being prepared.
Updating the list of related persons
Compilation of the list of those related persons  now known to the Customs authorities will be
completed by the end of December 2000.  The appointment of the senior personnel of the Unit will
provide supervision of this activity.  Updating of the list will, however, continue as part of the risk
management activity of the new unit.
Identification of data sources
This activity is on-going and integration is scheduled to be completed by the end of
January 2001 with the appointment of the officer responsible for research.
Publicity Campaign
A guide for the use of public is now being printed and will become available by early
December 2000.  The first scheduled talk to interested parties is to be given at a seminar put on by the
Institute of Chartered Accountants, members of the legal and accounting profession and Customs
Brokers.G/VAL/N/4/JAM/2
Page 5IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE OF VALUATION AGREEMENT
(Revised as at 30th October, 2000)
2000 2001
Activities Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar REMARKS
Passage of Legislation
Preparation  of Admin.
ProceduresCompletion dependent on passage of legislation
Training
     Training of Trainers )
)
     Training of other staff )Delay due to unavailability of overseas trainers
and
)
     Training of Auditors )Passage of legislation
)
     Training of customs brokers )
)
Provisions of Infra-structure(Space, Furniture, Computers)Affected by cash flow
Establishment of Valuation
DivisionCompleted
Preparation of structure Completed
Preparation of job descriptions Completed
Approval of structure and
classification of staffCompleted
Recruitment/appointment In progressG/VAL/N/4/JAM/2
Page 6IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE OF VALUATION AGREEMENT
(Revised as at 30th October, 2000)
2000 2001
Activities Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar REMARKS
Establishment of
computerized data-base
Identification of funding Transferred to Customs Modernization Project
(CMP)
Identification of package Transferred to Customs Modernization Project
(CMP)
Design of computerlinkagesIn progress
Installation of new system * Complete installation transferred to CMP
Establishment of manual
data-base
Preparation of high-risk list In progress
Updating of list of related
partiesIn progress
Identification of data
sourcesIn progress
Publicity campaign
Implementation 9th March,
2001
* Partial installation
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