ICC WCF participates in World Customs and Trade Forum

ICC was invited to be the keynote speaker during a session devoted to customs-trade partnerships and the importance of open debate in fostering knowledge. ICC’s activities and cooperation with customs worldwide and their representative organization, the World Customs Organization (WCO), are a perfect illustration that customs-trade partnerships contribute to facilitating international trade while preserving interests of customs and reinforcing supply chain security. Speaking on behalf of ICC Patricia Griffith, Head of International Trade, Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) outlined ICC’s main areas of activities that have a direct impact on the work of customs’. In addition to ICC’s policy work and the World Chambers Federation’s (WCF) contribution to the improvement of the delivery of certificates of origin by chambers of commerce, Ms Griffith also exemplified the ATA Carnet System as a private sector and customs partnership success story. The ATA Carnet is an international customs document that operates under a set of international customs conventions governed by the WCO and an international guarantee chain administered by ICC WCF. With ATA Carnets, business avoids Customs duties and taxes when crossing borders with professional equipment, commercial samples, or the goods to be exhibited at trade fairs. The ATA Carnet System is currently in force in 71 countries with over 160,000 Carnets issued every year for goods valued at over US$ 20 billion. ICC WCF has been WCO’s partner in promoting and managing the ATA Carnet System since its inception in the early 1950’s. The system was the cornerstone of their relationship and partnership which now includes ICC’s participation in WCO’s Private Sector Consultative Group (PSCG), the joint organization of the Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy and WCF’s participation in WCO’s technical committees on rules of origin and temporary admission. The continuous dialogue between WCO, the voice of Customs, and ICC, the voice of world business, helps to ensure that the private sector understands the needs of customs and that customs understand the importance of open trade to foster economic development and contribute to finding solutions to the economic crisis.