Customs officials intercept illicit drugs, ivory and currency in global enforcement operation
Brussels, 29 November 2012
Press Release1
A global enforcement operation targeting drugs (1) … by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in close (2) … with Japan Customs
1 http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2012/november/operation-wes-terlies.aspx
resulted in the seizure by Customs officials of 220 kg of narcotics worth about 15 million euro on the market and the arrest of 39 suspected traffickers.
Operation WESTERLIES aimed to (3) … trafficking of methamphetamines by air from Africa to Asia, based on heightened Customs controls on departing, in transit and arriving passengers at international airports located on routes known to be used by drug smugglers and organized criminals.
Held from 16-25 November this year, 82 Customs administrations and nine WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs) participated, actively supported by INTERPOL which formed part of the WESTERLIES Operational Coordination Unit (OCU) located at WCO headquarters for the duration of the Operation.
WESTERLIES specifically targeted methamphetamine manufactured in Africa or being exported there from which was destined for sale in countries in the Asia Pacific region and carried by passengers travelling to the region, more often than not, via international airports in Europe and the Middle East.
Of the more than 50 plus (4) … made by alert Customs officials at selected airports across the world, the illicit drugs haul totaled 220 kg of narcotic drugs, including 63 kg of methamphetamines and amphetamines as well as 58 kg of cocaine, with an approximate street value of 15 million euro.
Bonus finds made by Customs officials included 120 kg of elephant ivory (rough or worked), the trade in which is (5) … or regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and undeclared currency (2,400,000 US dollars and 600,000 euro).
The use of CENcomm, the WCO's (6) … and (7) … communication tool to (8) … operational information and intelligence, and the possibility to (9) … international police databases via INTERPOL's I-24/7 tool contributed significantly to the success of Operation
WESTERLIES.
«No country is now spared the scourge of drug trafficking», said WCO Secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya. «Operation WESTERLIES has shown that pooling our efforts and expertise in a (10) … manner and making best possible use of all available tools delivers noteworthy results», he added.
Capacity building forms a strong component of all WCO enforcement operations and in the case of Operation WESTERLIES, training sessions were held for participating countries having expressed a need to (11) … the skills of their officials and drug detection kits were provided for each of the selected airports.
Commenting further, the Secretary General of the WCO said, «I am really pleased that the WCO global capacity building programme is beginning to show good results, evidenced by, for example, the enthusiastic participation and active contribution of African Customs administrations in the course of the Operation».
Over and above the seizures made, the (12) … objectives of Operation WESTERLIES were met, namely the identification of individuals and corporate entities implicated in trafficking, and the gathering of information on the status of methamphetamine being trafficked by air.
Information obtained during the Operation will be further evaluated and analyzed in order to (13) … relevant existing risk (14) … and targeting criteria used by Customs administrations and other actors involved in combating the (15) … drug trade.
Investigations are continuing.
VII. Match the name of the UN bodies on the left with their brief descriptions on the right:
UN BODIES
1. The Economic and Social Council
(ECOSOC) is
2. The United Nations Commission on Narcotics and Drugs (CND)
3. The United Nations advises Drug Control
Programme (UNDCP)
a. the connection between crime and drug misuse and how individual countries deal with it.
b. responsible for shaping UN policy in drug misuse matters.
c. governments on application of international drug control treaties. It also produces detailed information on drug patterns.
| 4. The United Nations | d. the Council on drugs matters. | |||
| Interregional Crime | researches It | is consulted by | other | UN |
| and Justice Research | bodies on | drug | matters, | |
| Institute (UNICRI) | including | strategies | and | |
| policies. | ||||
| VIII. Speculate about | the following. | Supply | some | additional |
information.
1. The WCO's activities.
2. Customs' image of today.
3. Customs' image of the future, as you see it.
4. The way the WCO helps Customs Services throughout the world adapt to changing circumstances and modernize to keep pace with global demand.
5. The WCO's enforcement strategy.
6. Counterfeiting and piracy as a global challenge of the 21st century.
DO IT FOR FUN
I. Unjumble the letters in brackets to fill in the gaps in the sentences.
1. The Seminar was concluded with an official dinner … by the Directorate. (dehtos)
2. The progress made toward the achievement of those goals will be … by the Council each year. (vatedauel)
3. The plan … measurable goals for each key activity. (sponcastiarter)
II. Choose the right word.
1. The briefing was followed by a three-days seminar which was exclusively … for the Customs officers.
a. meant b. chosen c. done d. held
2. The Concept of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) should be … between the Customs and various trade organizations.
a. done b. developed c. written d. considered
III. What do the following abbreviations used by the WCO stand for?
| WTO | WCO | VIP | GATT |
| CCC | IMF | EDI | BDV |
| GSP | UNFDAC | EFTA | UNO |
| ASYCUD | CITES | EU | FIATA |
| UNCTAD | GVA | EC | IATA |
| FAO | ICPO | UPU | HS |
| ISO | IRU | CCCN | CIS |
| SGD | WIPO |
UNIT 17. CUSTOMS CONVENTIONS
Study the following words and word combinations from the text.
to standardize and harmonize стандартизировать и гармонизиро-
Customs formalities вать таможенные формальности
to solve specific Customs решать конкретные таможенные во-
issues просы
ATA Carnet карнет АТА (международный тамо-
женный документ (временный ввоз),
выдаваемый в соответствии с усло-
виями Конвенции АТА 1961 г., кото-
рый содержит международную га-
рантию и может использоваться
вместо национальных таможенных
документов)
to keep abreast of current идти в ногу с современными требо-
requirements ваниями
TEXT 17.1. CUSTOMS CONVENTIONS1
Since the beginning of the century, there has always been a continuous effort to standardize and harmonize Customs formalities with the aim of simplifying and facilitating international trade. In 1923, the League of Nations signed in Geneva the International Convention relating to the Simplification of Customs Formalities. Certain Customs issues were also included in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1947. In 1950 the Convention establishing a Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) was signed.
The Customs Co-operation Council was and still is the only intergovernmental worldwide organization competent in Customs matters. Numerous studies carried out by the Council on the principal Customs procedures such as importation, exportation, duty-free trade, inward and outward processing, transit, warehousing, temporary admission, etc., resulted in a series of conventions and recommendations designed to solve specific Customs issues. The following table contains a short list of Conventions and agreements sponsored or administered by the Customs Co-operation Council (The full list is presented in Summary of Position)2.
| Name | Status |
| Conventions | |
| 1. Convention establishing a Customs | Signed in Brussels on 15 |
| Co-operation Council | December 1950, entered |
| into force on 4 November | |
| 2. International Convention on the | Entered into force on 1 |
| Harmonized Commodity Description | January 1988 |
| and Coding System |
1 A convention is an agreement between nations, states, etc.
A Customs convention is a multilateral international agreement regulatingthe issues related to simplification of Customs formalities in trade between state nations.
2 http://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/conventions.aspx; http://www.wcoomd.org/en/aboutus/legalinstruments/~/media/A30C5AB2897E 4C0484F20A910FB7D6A3.ashx
| Name | Status |
| Conventions | |
| 3. Customs Convention on the ATA | Entered into force on 30 |
| carnet for the temporary admission | July 1963 |
| of goods (ATA Convention) | |
| 4. International Convention on the | Entered into force on 25 |
| simplification and harmonization of | September 1974 |
| Customs procedures (Kyoto | |
| Convention) | |
| 5. International Convention on mutual | Entered into force on 21 |
| administrative assistance for the | May 1980 |
| prevention, investigation and | |
| repression of Customs offences | |
| (Nairobi Convention) | |
| 6. Convention on Temporary | Entered into force on 27 |
| Admission (Istanbul Convention) | November 1993 |
| 7. Customs Convention on Containers, | Entered into force on 6 |
| December 1975 | |
| 8. Convention on the Valuation of | Entered into force on 28 |
| Goods for Customs Purposes (BDV) | July 1953 |
| Agreements | |
| WTO Agreement on Valuation | Entered into force on 5 |
| September 1969 | |
| WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin |
For example, the Istanbul Convention gathers all existing temporary admission facilities under a single instrument and provides a framework for dealing with any new categories of goods needing temporary admission facilities. The Convention also simplifies and harmonizes Customs formalities in connection with temporary admission, in particular by making the acceptance of the ATA Carnet obligatory in all cases where a Customs document and security are required for temporary admission. The goods are covered by a single document known as the ATA carnet that is secured by an international guarantee system. The term «ATA» is a combination of the initial letters of the French words «Admission Temporaire» and the English words «Temporary Admission». The ATA carnet serves as a goods declaration at export, transit and
import. The ATA carnet is now the document most widely used by the business community for international operations involving temporary admission of goods to promote and develop international trade.
Complex trade documentation and procedures act as barriers in international trade to the detriment of national economies. That is why trade documentation and procedures have been subjected to a systematic review at both national and international level with a view to making them as simple as possible. This fact was recognized by the CCC and expressed in the Preamble to the Kyoto Convention which was signed in 1973. The Provisions of the Annex call for simplified Customs formalities in order to be efficient. The simplification of Customs procedures often leads to a reduction in the number of documents required by Customs, thus further reducing the costs of importing and exporting. The Kyoto Convention has the effect of simplifying and harmonizing Customs legislation and consequently facilitates trade.
The Harmonized System Convention came into force on 1 January 1988. Contracting Parties are obliged to ensure that their Customs tariffs and statistical nomenclatures for both imports and exports are in conformity with the Harmonized System.
The HS is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers for classifying traded products developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The HS Nomenclature comprises about 5,000 commodity groups which are identified by a 6-digit code and arranged according to a legal and logical structure based on fixed rules.
The first four digits are referred to as the heading. The first six digits are known as a subheading. Countries that have adopted the Harmonized System are not permitted to alter in any way the descriptions associated to a heading or a subheading nor can the numerical codes at the four or six digit level be altered. This is what keeps the Harmonized System harmonized.
Individual countries may extend a Harmonized System number to eight or ten digits for Customs purposes, and to eight or ten digits for export purposes.
Correct and uniform application of the HS in an efficient manner facilitates international trade and investment and promotes compliance with fiscal and trade rules or laws. Misclassification of goods could lead
to loss of revenue, evasion of trade controls, delays in clearance and distortion of trade data.
A good nomenclature cannot be an absolutely rigid instrument. The Harmonized System is of use only if it is kept in step with technical progress. Timely implementation of the HS is very important, in order to avoid having different versions in existence at the same time, and consequent confusions in trade circle which could affect the reputation of the HS. Equally important is the periodic updating of the HS in order to prevent it from becoming obsolete.
The updating of the HS is a continuous process, requiring constant effort by the WCO in a rapidly changing trade environment. A considerable amount of time and resources have to be devoted to this work in order to keep abreast of current requirements.
EXERCISES
I. Match the words from the text with their corresponding definitions.
1. obsolete a. the basic structure, arrangement or
system
2. barriers b. in a way that obeys rules, customs
etc.
3. detriment c. aids which make it easier to do things
4. framework d. to be liable, exposed (to)
5. in conformity with e. introduction or preliminary statement
(to a legal documents)
6. to keep/stay abreast f. no longer useful, because something
of something newer and better has been invented
7. facilities g. condition in a legal document, a
clause
8. to be subject to h. anything that causes damage, harm,
injury
9. preamble i. to make sure that you know all the
most recent facts or information about a particular subject or situation
10. provisions j. limits, obstacles that prevent progress
or movement
II. Make as many complete phrases as possible by matching the opening phrase with a preposition.
| to be designed | in | promote / ~ -ing | |
| to aim | solve / ~ -ing | ||
| a framework | of | develop / ~ -ing | |
| with a view | deal / ~ -ing | ||
| to | |||
| to result | import / ~ -ing | ||
| costs | at | simplify / ~ -ing | |
| to be obliged | for | standardize / ~ -ing | |
| with the aim | harmonize / ~ -ing | ||
| to be subject | make / ~ - ing | ||
| the effect | ensure / ~ -ing | ||
| an effort | review / ~ -ing |
III. Make questions about the text to go with the answers below.
| 1. When … ? | 1. In 1923. |
| 2. When … ? | 2. In 1950. |
3. What convention … ? 3. The Istanbul Convention does.
4. What effect … ?4. The Kyoto Convention has the effect of simplifying Customs legislation.
5. When … ? 5. On 1 January 1988.
6. Why … ?6. Because it is designed to serve as a framework for international trade which is in constant evolution.
7. In what case … ?
7. Only if it is kept in step with technical progress.
8. How … ?8. It is supposed to be amended in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 16 of the HS Convention.
IV. Which of the definitions given below would you use to speak about Customs Conventions?
| efficient | competent | thoughtful |
| important | skillful | effective |
| unavoidable | discriminating | considered |
| urgent | complete | prudent |
| discreet | significant | prominent |
| reasonable | timely | inevitable |
| imperative | proper | compulsory |
| compelling | pressing | insistent |
| judicious | well-advised | expedient |
| indispensable | well-grounded | needed |
V. What specific Customs issues does each Convention solve? (the Istanbul Convention, the Kyoto Convention, the Harmonized System Convention). Choose from the list below.
· harmonizes import Customs tariffs;
· gathers all existing temporary admission facilities;
· simplifies and harmonizes Customs procedures;
· represents a valuable instrument to classify goods;
· provides a framework for dealing with goods needing temporary admission facilities;
· serves as a framework for international trade and other needs;
· gives a multipurpose nomenclature;
· reduces the number of documents required by Customs;
· simplifies Customs formalities in connection with temporary admission;
· reduces the costs of importing and exporting;
· provides a systematic and methodical classification of goods;
· promotes and develops international trade;
· facilitates trade;
· simplifies Customs legislation;
· simplifies trade documentation and procedures.
VI. Translate the following questions into English.
1. Когда и где Лигой Наций была подписана международная конвенция по упрощению таможенных процедур?
2. Является ли Совет по таможенному сотрудничеству единст-венной компетентной международной организацией по таможен-ным вопросам?
3. Чем увенчались многочисленные исследования, проведенные Советом таможенного сотрудничества по основным таможенным процедурам, таким, как импорт и экспорт, беспошлинная торговля, транзит, складирование, временный ввоз, переработка внутри и за пределами страны?
4. Что обеспечивает Стамбульская конвенция для новой кате-гории товаров, которые нуждаются в определенных условиях для
| временного ввоза? | |||
| 5. | Почему Стамбульская конвенц я меет особое значение для | ||
| развития и продвижения междуна одной торговли? | |||
| 6. | Почему в последнее в емя т говая документация и торговые | ||
| 7. | Должны ли таможенные процедуры быть сложными для того, | ||
| процедуры подвергались сис ематическому анализу как на нацио- | |||
| вными | |||
| нальном, так и на международном уровне? | |||
| чтобы быть эффект | ? | ||
| 8. | Каким обра ом принятие Киотской конвенции сокращает рас- | ||
| ходы | имп рту и экспорту и соответственно способствует меж- | ||
| дународн й т рг вле? | |||
| ствие | |||
| 9. | Что обязаны обеспечить договаривающиеся стороны, согласно | ||
| Конв нции о гармонизированной системе, которая вступила в дей- | |||
| по1января 1988 года? |
10. Почему такая система классификации приносит пользу лишь в том случае, если она не отстает от технического прогресса?
Study the following words and word combinations from the text.
complex and obstructive Customs
formalities
to set out basic provisions
preamble
to incorporate
transparency and predictability
сложные и обструктивные тамо-
женные формальности
излагать основные положения
преамбула
включать
прозрачность и предсказуемость