As trade globalization continues to expand the variety of goods in international commerce, customs authorities face growing challenges in maintaining trade order and ensuring proper revenue collection. The accurate and consistent classification of imported and exported goods has become a shared challenge for customs administrations worldwide.
From May 19-23, 2025, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia hosted a significant national workshop addressing these challenges through focused training on the Harmonized System (HS) and advance rulings. This event represents a strategic effort to enhance customs capabilities in developing nations.
Workshop Organization and Participation
The workshop was jointly organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Mongolia Customs General Administration (MCGA), with financial support from the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF). This collaborative model demonstrates the international community's commitment to strengthening customs capacity in developing countries and recognizing the HS system's critical role in global trade facilitation.
Two WCO-certified HS experts from Brazil and South Korea, along with a senior WCO official, served as training instructors. The Mongolian delegation included 28 customs officers and managers who participated in the intensive, small-group training designed to maximize interaction and learning outcomes.
Mongolia's Customs Challenges
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Enkhtaivan Gelegjamts, Deputy Director General of MCGA, highlighted Mongolia's pressing customs challenges amid rapid trade expansion:
- The increasing complexity of classifying new product categories requiring advanced technical expertise
- Growing demand for accurate trade statistics based on proper classification
- Ensuring fair tariff collection to prevent revenue losses
- The critical importance of proper origin determination amid rising trade protectionism
- Improving efficiency in information exchange processes
Gelegjamts emphasized that enhancing classification capabilities has become a strategic priority for Mongolia's customs administration as it works to improve revenue collection systems.
Workshop Curriculum and Methodology
The comprehensive program covered all aspects of the HS system, including:
- Fundamental principles and structure of the HS
- Classification rules and explanatory notes
- Recent HS revisions
- Sector-specific classification challenges (agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, etc.)
The training employed diverse pedagogical approaches including lectures, case studies, group discussions, and practical exercises. Analysis of actual HS Committee cases helped participants better understand classification principles and develop problem-solving skills.
A special session showcased Mongolia's customs organizational structure and current practices in classification and advance rulings, allowing participants to benchmark against international standards.
Advance Rulings Framework
The workshop dedicated significant attention to the WCO's Advance Rulings Guidelines, which provide a modern framework for tariff classification work. These guidelines detail all aspects of advance rulings systems, including:
- Application procedures
- Review processes
- Decision-making protocols
- Implementation mechanisms
- Appeal procedures
This knowledge will assist Mongolia in developing its own advance rulings system to enhance customs efficiency and transparency.
Honoring Veteran Customs Officers
In a notable gesture, the workshop invited retired classification specialists to share their decades of experience. Their insights underscored the enduring importance of the HS system and proper classification practices in elevating Mongolia's customs operations.
Closing Reflections
Ms. Ch. Chimgerel, Director of the Classification and Valuation Department at MCGA, concluded the event by reaffirming Mongolia's commitment to continued cooperation with the WCO to enhance customs capabilities and support national trade development.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
The successful workshop offers several important insights for customs capacity building:
- International cooperation remains essential for developing nations' customs modernization
- Targeted training programs addressing specific national challenges prove most effective
- Cross-border knowledge exchange accelerates institutional development
- Sustained investment in human capital yields long-term benefits
To further strengthen global customs capabilities, experts recommend:
- Increased international support for developing countries' customs modernization
- Enhanced cooperation in combating smuggling and tax evasion
- Broader adoption of advance rulings systems
- Continuous professional development for customs personnel
Future Outlook
As global trade evolves and new technologies emerge, customs administrations must continually adapt. Events like Mongolia's HS workshop demonstrate how international collaboration can help build more efficient, secure, and trade-facilitating customs operations worldwide.