Ports clogged with cargo mountains, businesses burdened by cumbersome clearance procedures - this scenario not only increases operational costs but severely hampers international trade flows. Vanuatu is actively seeking solutions to break this gridlock and enhance its global competitiveness.
WCO Workshop Lays Foundation for Trade Facilitation
From April 23-27, 2018, the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a national workshop on Time Release Study (TRS) in Port Vila, supported by the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund. The event aimed to prepare Vanuatu's Customs and Inland Revenue Department for implementing this crucial trade facilitation tool.
Two experts from WCO's Brussels Secretariat and India Customs Administration led the English-language workshop, training 20 customs officials and stakeholders involved in cargo clearance processes.
TRS: A Diagnostic Tool for Customs Efficiency
The Time Release Study methodology, developed by WCO, systematically measures the duration from cargo arrival at borders to final release. This diagnostic approach helps identify bottlenecks in clearance processes and provides empirical evidence for customs modernization.
Workshop participants gained hands-on experience with WCO's TRS software and collaboratively drafted an action plan. Vanuatu Customs expects to conduct its inaugural TRS soon, establishing a performance baseline for future assessments.
Aligning with Global Trade Standards
George Pakoa, representing Vanuatu Customs and Inland Revenue, emphasized the workshop's significance in helping identify procedural obstacles and develop collaborative solutions to improve trade flows.
The TRS implementation will help Vanuatu comply with Article 7.6 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which encourages members to regularly measure and publish average release times using WCO methodologies.
Implementation Roadmap
The TRS process involves several key steps:
- Scope Definition: Determining which goods, ports and agencies to include in the study
- Team Formation: Assembling representatives from customs, trade sector and technical experts
- Data Collection: Gathering timestamps from cargo arrival through final release
- Analysis: Calculating average release times and identifying critical delays
- Process Improvement: Developing targeted solutions for identified bottlenecks
Common obstacles may include documentation issues, inspection inefficiencies, or infrastructure limitations. The TRS methodology enables data-driven decision making to address these challenges systematically.
Pacific Island Challenges and Opportunities
As a Pacific island nation, Vanuatu faces unique trade facilitation challenges including geographic dispersion, limited infrastructure and human resources. However, successful TRS implementation could significantly enhance its trade competitiveness.
The WCO has committed to ongoing technical support, including expert guidance, training programs and software tools to assist Vanuatu in achieving its trade facilitation objectives.