Brazzaville, Congo - A regional workshop for the harmonisation of customs tariff management in Central Africa started on Monday in Brazzaville, the Congolese capital. The workshop focuses on the implementation of the 2012 Harmonised System (HS) for a more effective community tariff management, in a bid to provide the customs administrations with the know-how to guarantee the effectiveness of the administrations concerned. The 2012 Harmonised System is considered to be the 'common language' in international trade. The seminar also aims to identify the main reasons behind the amendments inserted in the latest version of the Harmonised System.

The use of HS as a standard for classification and coding of goods is of paramount importance in terms of food security and global information and early warning system of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The workshop is for all administrations in the West Africa and Central Africa regions.

Pana 13/04/2011