. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/VAL/W/144/Add.1 
7 April 2005 
 (05-1455) 
Committee on Customs Valuation  
 
SRI LANKA – [DRAFT] DECISION CONCERNING PARAGRAPH 2 OF  
ANNEX III OF THE AGREEMENT ON IMPLEMENTATION  
OF ARTICLE VII OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT  
ON TARIFFS AND TRADE 1994 
 
Draft Decision 
 
Addendum  
  The following workplan should be annexed to the above draft decision. 
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Objectives Activity Description  Targets 
1. REGULATORY 
FRAMEWORK 
 (a)  Regulations and 
Instructions SL Customs  is:  
- Harmonizing internal implementation and 
administrative regulations and forms in all 
customs entry and transit points in Sri Lanka in 
order to reach harmonized procedures and norms of customs valuation and clearance, as well as  
to deal with custom fraud. 
 Reorganising the available customs data and 
information in order to enhance transparency in 
declaration procedures an d methods of valuation 
in pursuance of the Custom Valuation Agreement.   It is expected to complete 
this activity by 30th July 2005. 
  
2. INSTITUTIONAL 
FRAMEWORK: 
(a) Administration of  
customs valuation Setting up information bases and references 
necessary for customs valua tion to serve clients and 
respond to questions posed by officials in the 
Customs department.  
-   The main task of this section is to interact with 
clients in order to respond to their various queries. This section is also entrusted with 
training the other staff members on valuation 
methods. It is expected to complete 
this activity by 30th September 2005. 
 
 (b) Institutions/ 
       Divisions  - Setting up a Division in charge of risk 
management in order for the custom valuation staff to capture products with higher risks, and 
an import prices database of these products for 
use in risk analysis applying customs valuation methods.  
- The Division in charge of risk management and 
its function procedures is planned in the strategy 
of the reform & modernization program (2005-
2006). It is expected to complete 
this activity by 28
th 
February 2006. 
 G/VAL/W/144/Add.1 
Page 2  
 
  
Objectives Activity Description  Targets 
  (c) Database The Customs Department needs to update the 
computer system applied in implementing the customs valuation measures, including: 
- Determining necessary information to set up 
database allowing computerized custom 
valuation system; 
- Determining information resources and 
references and its updating methods. 
The information resource is determined from the 
transactions cleared at the customs points, and updated within 90 days as stated in the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement. 
Improving computer system on the basis of work 
experience available in advanced countries. The database is expected 
to be established and fully operational by the end of 
2005. 
  
  
 (d) Strengthening the 
enforcement machineries 
in three units/branch  
 Human Resource Development to combat Valuation 
Fraud, at Senior Management Middle Management 
and Operational Levels 
 
- Need to develop their skills and attitudes; 
 
- As the current cadre is not adequate to deal with 
the increasing number of valuation fraud, a new 
batch of officers needs to be trained and 
deployed. 
 
- Need to have training facilities for the new 
officers. 
- Setting up a program to train customs staff to 
support the implementation of the Custom 
Valuation Agreement During the period of 
extension and beyond 
(e) Technical Assistance Assessing technical assistan ce needs of the customs 
administration in Sri Lanka and requesting assistance from the WTO, WCO and their Member States.  During the extension 
period and beyond 
3. DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE 
FACILITIES Increasing the existing facilities such as 
communication equipment, tr ansport facilities etc., 
provided to the units/branch to carry out their duties 
expeditiously. During the extension 
period and beyond 
 
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