The Port Congestion Surcharge (PCS) is an additional fee charged to shippers due to rising costs from busy ports. This fee varies depending on the port and time period, making it essential to consider for accurate logistics cost assessments to avoid economic losses. Specific charges are determined by announcements from shipping companies.
Port Louis is the largest commercial and free port in Mauritius, located in the South Indian Ocean with significant geographical importance. The port is primarily used for bulk cargo, general goods, container shipping, and oil handling, featuring multiple berths and moorings to support diverse maritime trade.
The Port of Seattle, located in Washington State, is a vital gateway from North America to the Far East. It consists of an outer and inner port, with the outer port accommodating ocean-going vessels, while the inner port features various loading and unloading facilities. This includes several container terminals along with specialized cargo and refrigerated docks, with an annual throughput of 20 million tons.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a data analysis workshop for Peruvian Customs to enhance trade facilitation. The workshop introduced key techniques for data collection, classification, and validation. It highlighted the application of data analysis in risk identification and trade compliance assessment. Peruvian Customs expressed appreciation for the event and discussed future cooperation with the WCO to strengthen data analysis capabilities and promote trade development. The aim is to leverage data insights for improved efficiency and security in customs operations.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a Time Release Study (TRS) workshop for Peruvian Customs (SUNAT) to enhance trade facilitation. By studying the WCO TRS Guidelines, creating business processes, and developing action plans, SUNAT will be able to conduct TRS, identify bottlenecks, optimize procedures, and meet WTO TFA requirements. This will ultimately improve international competitiveness. The workshop focused on practical application of TRS methodology within the Peruvian context, enabling SUNAT to streamline customs processes and improve efficiency in goods clearance.
The Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) partnered with SUNAT, the Peruvian Customs Authority, to conduct a strategic planning workshop. The aim was to enhance SUNAT's strategic planning capabilities by refining strategic objectives and developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a more efficient regulatory model. WCO experts tailored a strategic map and integrated control panel for Peruvian Customs, supporting its digital transformation and sustainable development. This collaboration seeks to improve SUNAT's overall effectiveness and contribute to Peru's economic growth through streamlined trade processes.
Supe Port, located in central-western Peru, is a significant transshipment port operating 24 hours a day. It has a depth of 9.75 meters but is considerably affected by sea waves. Currently, it has transformed into a primary port for exporting fishmeal and paper, indicating great potential for future development.
The Port of Long Beach is the second-busiest container port in the United States, driving the economy of Southern California and primarily engaging in trade with countries like Japan and China.
Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, Peruvian Customs held a virtual forum focusing on customs valuation risk management. Participants exchanged experiences on database applications and discussed optimizing value verification procedures and public-private partnerships to combat valuation irregularities. Peruvian Customs plans to strengthen its value verification system and deepen collaboration with the private sector. The WCO will continue to provide support, enhancing transparency and predictability in cross-border trade. The forum highlighted the importance of efficient and fair customs valuation for trade facilitation.
The SECO-WCO GTFP provided technical assistance to Peruvian Customs for implementing a Time Release Study (TRS). The aim was to enhance Peruvian Customs' capacity through WCO methodology training, procedure review, and software training, identifying bottlenecks and optimizing processes. The successful TRS pilot paved the way for national implementation, potentially improving Peru's trade facilitation and international competitiveness. This initiative highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in trade facilitation. The study focused on identifying areas where customs procedures could be streamlined to reduce clearance times and improve overall efficiency.
