In line with its modernisation strategy, the Eswatini Revenue Authority (SRA) has moved to establish a comprehensive e-tariff platform, with the support of the WCO under the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for HS in Africa, funded by the European Union (Please see "Erratum" below).
The official start of the project was announced at an online kick-off meeting held on 3 June with the participation of representatives of the SRA, the WCO and Global Trade Solutions (GTS), a South African company specialising in electronic tools for customs and a member of the WCO Private Sector Consultative Group.
Commissioner General of the SRA, Dumisani Masilela, committed his administration to setting up a modern platform through which stakeholders could be informed and kept up to date on the policies and practices in place. “We are confident that the project will contribute to the timely and efficient implementation of the HS, avoid revenue loss, and support the ongoing efforts of Eswatini to meet the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement commitments.”
The WCO’s deputy director for capacity building, Brendah Mundia, said that in order to give a comprehensive and efficient user experience to trade operators in Eswatini, the e-tariff platform would seek to include an interactive section on advance rulings to allow the submission of paperless online applications for rulings. “A multidisciplinary team at the SRA has been assigned to coordinate this project and will ensure close collaboration with the Eswatini National Trade Facilitation Committee.”
For more details, contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
ERRATUM: Freight News rfeceived the following correction from Maimouna Diop, HS-Africa programme assistant for the WCO, on 22 June. He said: "On behalf of the EU-WCO Programme for HS in Africa with regard to an article published in Freight News South Africa, "Eswatini customs moves into electronic era". Please note that in the original article published at the WCO website, there has been a mistake in the affiliation of GTS. The error has been corrected and the revised article has been published on the WCO website http://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2020/june/eswatini-revenue-authority-embarks-on-an-electronic-tariff-project.aspx. We kindly ask you to use this latest version to edit your article for consistency and accuracy of information.
We would be grateful if you could publish this Erratum and remain available for any further information.