The World Customs Organization (WCO) has published this Friday (28.05.2021) New guidance on the role of Customs in facilitating and securing the cross-border movement of medicines and vaccines in critical situations.
La recent edition improves the inaugural version released on 25 February 2021. It was prepared by the WCO General Secretariat, with the purpose of providing guidelines regarding the way in which some countries have implemented the measures of the Resolution of December 2020, as well as providing information on instruments and tools available for the exercise of good practices.
In this regard, the Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, stated: “Achieving equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines is critical, and customs administrations around the world must support global efforts, not only by facilitating the cross-border movement of the vaccines themselves, but also by expediting customs clearance of raw materials and components used in the vaccine manufacturing process.” He added that “this will greatly contribute to efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing. The second edition of the Secretariat Note highlights the fundamental role of Customs.”
The document provides more guidance y new case studies of the following WCO Members, among others:
- Customs Administration of Argentina
- Australian Border Force (ABF)
- Customs Administration of Belgium
- National Customs Service of Costa Rica
- Customs Administration of the Dominican Republic
- European Union and its Member States
- Customs Administration of Guatemala
- Revenue Authority of Guyana
- General Directorate of Customs and Excise of the Republic of Indonesia
- Customs and Indirect Tax Administration of Morocco
- Customs Administration of the Peru
- customs Saudi Arabia
- Tax Service of South Africa (SARS)
- Customs and Border Protection of the United States (US CBP)
The statement highlights that the new guidance is the result of WCO's collaboration with other international organisations, the pharmaceutical industry, logistics providers and relevant private sector entities.
“The Secretariat Note is designed to be a dynamic document which will be enhanced by more Members' practices and further guidance as they and industry gain experience and share information with the WCO Secretariat on customs clearance of COVID-19 vaccines and related supplies, inputs and equipment,” the report concludes. Valid identity document.
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