If international trade is a bridge, then the Harmonized System (HS) serves as its traffic rules. This global classification system not only facilitates smooth trade but directly impacts national revenue, social security, and environmental protection. From February 10-14, 2025, Ashgabat hosted a WCO national HS workshop aimed at enhancing Turkmenistan Customs' expertise in this critical field to better safeguard national interests and promote trade development.
Workshop Objectives: Enhancing Classification Skills for Trade Facilitation
Jointly organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and Turkmenistan's State Customs Service with sponsorship from China Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF), the workshop featured WCO senior officials and HS experts from Spain working closely with 18 Turkmen customs officers and managers. Key objectives included:
- Deepening HS system understanding: Ensuring accurate interpretation and application of international standards.
- Improving classification accuracy: Through case studies and practical exercises to reduce trade disputes and clearance delays.
- Modernizing classification processes: Exploring advanced technologies and management methods to enhance efficiency and transparency.
- Facilitating trade: Standardizing classifications to reduce uncertainty and lower trade costs.
Opening Remarks: Emphasizing HS Classification's Strategic Importance
Guvanch Myradov, Director of the Training Center at Turkmenistan's State Customs Service, acknowledged WCO and CCF's support in strengthening this technical domain. He emphasized HS classification as a cornerstone of customs work, affecting not just revenue collection but also social/environmental protection and trade regulation implementation. Myradov urged participants to focus on modernizing current classification models given their direct fiscal impact.
Curriculum: Comprehensive HS Training with Practical Focus
The workshop covered both theoretical frameworks and practical commodity classification:
- HS system fundamentals including structure, coding rules, and general interpretation principles
- WCO explanatory notes and classification opinions as practical tools
- Detailed classification exercises for chemicals, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and machinery
- Overview of Turkmenistan's national tariff structure and modernization challenges
- In-depth discussion of WCO's advance ruling guidelines
Interactive Sessions: Addressing Modernization Challenges
Beyond lectures, extensive discussions enabled knowledge sharing about adapting to evolving trade patterns, improving classification transparency, and leveraging international cooperation. Participants explored technological solutions to enhance accuracy and efficiency in tariff administration.
Closing Session: Commitment to Continued Capacity Building
In concluding remarks, Myradov reaffirmed appreciation for WCO and CCF's support, expressing confidence that discussions on classification and advance rulings would yield practical benefits. He anticipated continued collaboration to strengthen Turkmenistan's customs capabilities.
Strategic Impact Assessment
The workshop delivers measurable value across multiple dimensions:
- Revenue protection: Precise classification minimizes tax leakage
- Trade efficiency: Standardized practices reduce clearance times and costs
- Data quality: Accurate classifications improve trade statistics
- Competitiveness: Alignment with international standards enhances trade participation
Future Directions: Building Modern HS Implementation Systems
The workshop established foundations for Turkmenistan's continued HS modernization through:
- Developing specialized training programs for classification experts
- Adopting AI and data analytics for classification processes
- Updating legal frameworks to align with international standards
- Expanding regional and global customs cooperation networks
- Enhancing private sector awareness through outreach programs
These measures will support Turkmenistan in developing an efficient, transparent HS implementation system to maximize economic benefits from international trade.