WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/VAL/8/Add.10
24 October 2002
(02-5840)
Committee on Customs Valuation
INFORMATION ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES
Addendum
At its meeting of 12 May 1995, the Committee on Customs Valuation agreed that greater
transparency of technical assistance activities, pursuant to Article  20.3 of the Agreement on
Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994, would be ensured if the information documentsprepared for the WCO Technical Committee on Customs Valuation on such activities were also made
available as WTO documents.
This document provides information on completed WCO technical assistance activities
reproduced from WCO document VT0264, of 18 September 2002.  It also includes information ontechnical assistance activities carried out by WCO Members reproduced from WCO document
VT0280. The present document updates GATT document VAL/W/29/Rev.9, and WTO documents
G/VAL/W/4 and G/VAL/8 and Adds.1-9.
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INTRODUCTION
1. Article 20.3 of the Agreement provides for the establishment of technical assistance
programmes for developing countries.  The Article goes  on to state that such technical assistance may
include, inter alia , the training of personnel, assistance in preparing implementation measures, access
to sources of information regarding customs valuation methodology, and advice on the application of
the provisions of the Agreement.  In this regard, it is recognized that for developing countries whichare, by virtue of being Parties to the Agreement,  committed to apply the Agreement at a fixed date or
which are considering applying it in the near future, it would be a matter of urgent need to have a
nucleus of customs officers trained in the Code.  Thus, among the various technical assistance
programmes offered, the training of personnel acquires a degree of priority.
2. As provided for in Annex II of the Agreement, the responsibilities of the Technical
Committee include the facilitation of technical assistance with a view to furthering the international
acceptance of the Agreement.  The Technical Committee at its first meeting expressed the view that
the Customs Co-operation Council, through its Secretariat, could provide co-ordination in developing
a technical assistance programme in co-operation with member administrations willing to provideassistance and other international organizations.  The Council's Plan for the '90s has also placed
considerable emphasis on the need for holding seminars and training courses on the GATT Code.
3. At its Eighth Session, the Technical Committee had examined document 31.808 describing
seminars and training courses organized on customs valuation, especially on the GATT ValuationAgreement, and the activities of the Customs Co-operation Council in this area.  The Committee
found the document useful and in this regard directed the Secretariat to periodically update the
information. In successive sessions of the Committee, a number of revised or supplementary
documents were prepared which periodically updated this information.  This document contains
information provided by the WCO Secretariat of its most recent technical assistance activities.G/VAL/8/Add.10
Page 2
ACTIVITIES OF THE WCO SECRETARIAT
Recipient Member Myanmar
Duration : 22 to 26 April 2002
Location : YangonSubject : Application of the WTO Valuation Agreement and implementation
strategies
Type : National Workshop
Objectives : To provide a forum for the exchange of information and discussion regarding
the WTO Valuation Agreement and Myanmar’s position in regard to its
implementation status. Also to conduct a workshop for selected officials in
order to develop their knowledge of the WTO valuation system andsupporting policy development and infrastructure requirements.
Participants : 22 participants attended the workshop from local offices and Headquarters
and the levels ranged from Staff Officer to Deputy Director. Their functional
responsibilities were varied and included valuation, investigation, cargo
processing and clearance, cargo examination and, senior managers.
Facilitator : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate;
One representative from the Japanese Customs Administration
Donor: Japan
Recipient Member Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Cuba;
Guatemala; Jamaica; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru;
Trinidad and Tobago; Uruguay; Venezuela
Duration : 29 April to 3 May 2002
Location : Buenos AiresSubject : Application of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : Regional Workshop
Objectives : The implementation of the WTO Valuation Agreement, risk-management
and post-clearance audit, review and evaluation.
Participants : 33 officers from Argentina, South and Central America and the Caribbean
Facilitators : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate
One representative from the Japanese Customs Administration
Donor : Japan
Recipient Member Egypt
Duration : 12-16 May 2002
Location : Alexandria
Subject : Implementation of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National Workshop
Objectives : To provide assistance in regard to practical technical implementation and
valuation control issues, in particular, risk management and post clearanceaudit.
Participants : 55 participants from local offices and headquarters with varied functional
responsibilities
Facilitators : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-DirectorateG/VAL/8/Add.10
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Recipient Member Burkina Faso
Duration : 13 to 17 May 2002
Location : Ouagadougou
Subject : Implementation and interpretation of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National WorkshopObjectives : To ensure uniformity when implementing the WTO Valuation
Agreement
Participants : 30 participants
Facilitator : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate
Donor: Japan
Recipient Member Côte d’Ivoire
Duration : 27 to 31 May 2002
Location : Abidjan
Subject : Implementation and interpretation of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National WorkshopObjectives : To ensure uniformity when implementing the WTO Valuation Agreement
Participants : 21 Customs officials from headquarters and regional offices
Facilitators : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate
Recipient Members : Albania; Azerbaijan; Bu lgaria; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic;
Estonia; Hungary; Israel; Kazakhstan; Latvia; Lithuania;
Macedonia; Slovak Republic; Russia; Slovenia; Turkey
Duration : 27 to 31 May 2002
Location : Regional Training Centre of the World Customs Organisation, Budapest,
Hungary
Subject : The WTO valuation system, its application, interpretation and analysis of
current issues
Type : Regional Workshop
Objectives : To provide a valuation technical assistance programme and forum for the
exchange of information between Member administrations in the European
region. The programme focussed on more complex valuation issues togetherwith supporting policy development. The participants were from
administrations representing three implementation categories : those who
implemented the WTO Valuation Agreement some time ago; more recent
implementing administrations and, those who have not yet become Members
of the WTO but are working towards de facto implementation. The objectivewas also to assist the participating Customs administrations to work
efficiently with the more diverse import transactions from the valuation
perspective and, to recognise the various Customs controls needed to be in
place to ensure a satisfactory balance between trade facilitation and Customs
control management.
Participants : 25 participants attended with the majority being at the senior level in their
administrations. The mix included valuation senior managers
and post clearance auditors.
Facilitators : One technical officer and one technical attaché from the WCO Valuation
Sub-DirectorateOne representative from the Japanese Customs Administration
Donor : JapanG/VAL/8/Add.10
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Recipient Member Tunisia
Duration : 10 to 14 June 2002
Location : Tunis
Subject : Implementation and interpretation of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National WorkshopObjectives : To ensure uniformity when implementing the WTO Valuation Agreement
Participants : 35 participants
Facilitators : One technical officer from the WCO Valuation Sub-Directorate
Donor : Japan
Recipient Member Barbados
Duration : 17 to 21 June 2002
Location : Bridgetown
Subject : Application of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National Workshop
Objectives : To provide information and training in regard to the practical implementation
of the WTO Valuation Agreement and to discuss issues in respect of
developing procedures and policy particularly in regard to post importation
audit.
Participants : Officers from headquarters, regional offices and border posts
Facilitators : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate
One post entry examination specialist from the Japanese Customs
Administration.
Donor : Japan
Recipient Member Bermuda
Duration : 17 to 21 June 2002
Location : Hamilton Customs House
Subject : WTO Valuation Agreement, its interpretation and application; national
valuation law review
Type : National workshop and legislation review discussion group
Objectives : To review the national valuation law of Bermuda and make necessary
recommendations. To provide a forum for the exchange of valuation
information and examine the interpretation and application of the WTO
Valuation Agreement. Examine local valuation issues.
Participants : Two senior officers responsible for the reform and modernisation programme
for Bermuda Customs participated in the valuation law review discussion andanalysis group. Ten officers including senior managers attended the two day
workshop.
Facilitators : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate
Recipient Member Philippines
Duration : 17-21 June 2002
Location : Manila
Subject : Review of application and maintenance of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National WorkshopObjectives : To conduct an operational overview of valuation management and share
experience regarding topical valuation issues and valuation control
Participants : 36 participants from local offices and headquarters with varied functional
responsibilities. A group of senior managers with valuation related
responsibilities also attended to the workshop as observers.G/VAL/8/Add.10
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Facilitators : One technical officer from the Valuation Sub-Directorate
One valuation manager from the Japan Customs Administration
Donor : Japan
Recipient Member Gabon
Duration : 17 to 21 June 2002
Location : Libreville
Subject : Implementation and interpretation of the WTO Valuation Agreement
Type : National Workshop
Objectives : To ensure uniformity when implementing the WTO Valuation Agreement
Participants : 30 participants
Facilitators : One officer from Moroccan Customs Administration
ACTIVITIES OF WCO MEMBERS
“The Administration of Chile informs the Secretariat of a Customs Valuation Seminar to be
held from 4 to 11 November 2002.
• Location : Chilean Customs Service, Valparaiso – CHILE
• The seminar is being sponsored by the French Customs
• Contact point : Mr. Serge Audoynaud – French Customs Delegate.”
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“The Administration of France  informs the Secretariat of the following training activities on
Customs Valuation.
• training activities in Senegal from 2 to 6 September on behalf of the WCO
• training activities in Hungary from 30 September to 4 October 2002.”
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“Japan  has dispatched their experts and has accepted trainees to give the knowledge of
Customs Valuation/Post Clearance Audit and to support the implementation of the WTO Valuation
Agreement. The details of technical assistance activities carried out and planned during the period
from 1 July 2002 to 31 December 2002 are listed below.”
1. Dispatch of Experts
Country Period of dispatch Number of Experts
Indonesia 15 - 19 July, 2002
5 – 9 August, 2002
2 – 6 September, 2002
23 – 27 September, 2002
not fixed yet1
1
11
1
Viet Nam November, 2002
December 20021
1
Thailand Not fixed yet 1 or 2
2. Acceptance of Trainees
Period of Training Course Count ry of Trainee Total Number of
Trainees
28 July-9 August 2002 Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos,
Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Papua New Guinea, Philippines,
Samoa, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam11G/VAL/8/Add.10
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Period of Training Course Count ry of Trainee Total Number of
Trainees
15 October–15 November  2002 Bangladesh, P.R. of China, Fiji,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand11
24 November–
13 December 2002Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines,
Thailand, Viet Nam, others (not
fixed yet)12
24 November –
13 December 2002Indonesia 5
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“The Slovak  Administration hosted a visit from Moldavia from 3 to 7 July 2002 in order to
explain questions concerning the WTO Agreement, origin of goods and Customs Valuation.”
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"Thai  Customs would like to inform the Secretariat that the Thai Customs has planned to
arrange two technical assistance programmes as follows :
• WTO Valuation Agreement Course for CLMV Customs administrations and,
• Attachment Course with Thai Customs for the Bhutan Customs Administration.
Nevertheless, due to a lack of financial support, further details, including date and venue for
the said programmes, have not been concluded. "
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“The United States  Administration has planned the following valuation-related technical
assistance activities during the period September through December 2002. Most of the programmes
will continue into 2003. No exact dates have been set.
• CCLEC (Caribbean Customs Law Enforcem ent Council) Value Training Project
• St. Vincent and Grenada
• Total programme - 6 modules – 3 each country (basic value, infrastructure, post-importation
audit)
• Nepal Value Project
• In-depth needs assessment; value assistance may follow
• Bolivia Value Project
• Value modules (basic value, infrastructure, post-importation audit); part of a larger training
project on enforcement and other Customs issues
• WCO Value Assistance Project – Sub-Saharan Africa
• Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Lesotho
• Various value related workshops in each country (basic value, infrastructure, post-importation
audit, and train-the-trainer programmes; Lesotho - audit only)
• Programme proposed to begin in October 2002 and to continue over 10 month period.”
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Uruguay
 “In response to your request, please note that an “Enforcement Seminar – Customs
Valuation” was held from 24 to 28 June 2002 at the Customs Training Institute, led by ProfessorG/VAL/8/Add.10
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Rafael Rous. This seminar was part of the 2002 Technical Co-operation Programme provided by the
French Customs Administration for South America.
Other similar activities are planned for the period under consideration."
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