India: Second National Workshop on Customs Valuation and Onsite Post-Clearance Audit
6-9 Jun 2016
India National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), in collaboration with the World Customs Organization Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (WCO ROCB A/P) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), conducted its second and final national workshop activity under the WCO-ADB joint subregional train-the-trainer on Customs valuation multiyear assistance initiative on 6-9 June 2016 in Faridabad, India. The Second Workshop supported project core members (PCMs) of India Customs in delivering a three-day workshop on Training of Trainers Program on Onsite Post-Clearance Audit.
This Workshop follows on from the First National Expert Mission for the India Customs, held on 28 September-1 October 2015, which guided PCMs on delivery of training for onsite post-clearance audit, identified areas for potential enhancement and/or improvement in India Customs capacity for proper Customs Valuation control, and outlined a model training course and training materials to be used by CBEC Customs valuation trainers.
The Second Workshop
- Enhanced the participants' understanding of post-clearance audit and onsite post-clearance audit in the Indian context;
- Explained risks related to Customs valuation and how these can be addressed; and
- Discussed existing challenges in operationalizing onsite post-clearance audit and possible solutions.
A total of 28 Customs officials were guided by technical experts from WCO ROCB/AP and Sri Lanka Customs through presentations and role plays to develop a deeper understanding of training methodology, and were updated on the subject of Customs valuation and onsite post-clearance audit. These skills will be used in onward training to the broader base of Customs officers, by the trained trainers.
The Workshop also deliberated on a future course of action to improve onsite post-clearance audit within CBEC.
Mr. Mahender Singh, Director General (Audit) and Mr. Sunil Kumar Sawhney, NACEN Director General, inaugurated the Workshop. Ms. Teresa Kho, ADB Country Director-India, delivered closing remarks. Mr. Takayuki Miyoshi, CCF/Japan Operational Manager/Program Manager South Asia of WCO ROCB A/P and Mr. M.M.M. Rishafy, WCO-accredited Customs expert also participated in the Workshop.
In 2013, ADB and WCO ROCB A/P launched a joint subregional train-the-trainer on Customs valuation multiyear assistance initiative to support participating countries’ efforts to strengthen efficient management of Customs valuation control through the use of post-clearance audit. The first WCO-ADB Joint Subregional Workshop was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in February 2014, and the second Joint Subregional Workshop was held in Male, the Maldives 22–24 October 2014. SASEC provides a regional platform for this multiyear initiative through implementation of the SASEC Trade Facilitation Strategic Framework, approved by members in 2014.
The Second National Expert Workshop was funded through ADB technical assistance.