DUSHANBE, December 21, 2011 Asia-Plus — Deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have unanimously endorsed a bill requiring amendments to the country’s Customs Code.
A regular sitting of the third session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fourth convocation, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, was held on December 21.
Speaking at the session, the Customs Service head Gurez Zaripov noted that amendments proposed to the Customs Code were dedicated to promote implementation of the separate provisions of the Kyoto Convention and bring the Customs Code into compliance with requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“The amendments, in particular, simplify customs clearance procedures,” said Zaripov, “Thus, importers and exporters will not have to submit documents on their registration with customs services and conformity declarations to the customs services.”
Under the amendments proposed to the Customs Code, import of counterfeit intellectual property items, including films and works of art and culture, will be prevented by customs officers, he added.
The International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs procedures (revised Kyoto Convention or RKC) was originally adopted in 1974 and was subsequently revised in 1999; the revised Kyoto Convention came into force in 2006.
The RKC comprises several key governing principles: transparency and predictability of customs controls; standardization and simplification of the goods declaration and supporting documents; simplified procedures for authorized persons; maximum use of information technology; minimum necessary customs control to ensure compliance with regulations; use of risk management and audit based controls; coordinated interventions with other border agencies; and a partnership with the trade. It promotes trade facilitation and effective controls through its legal provisions that detail the application of simple yet efficient procedures and also contains new and obligatory rules for its application.
