Every year, the Ministry for Revenue commemorate the International Customs Day on the 26th of January. This day is commemorated around the world especially in the member administrations of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and this day is assigned a theme based on the focus of work for the Organisation and the realm of Customs administrations.
For the year 2019, the focus is on “SMART Borders for seamless trade, travel and transport”. We have had in the past carried out activities relative to the theme for our stakeholders and more importantly for our staff.As a commitment from the Government of Samoa, a budget of ST$10, 000 is allocated every year for this purpose.
Since the assigned date of 26/01/2019 falls on a Saturday, the 2019 International Customs Daycommemoration program commenced on Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 January 2019.
| Date | Activity | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 23 January 2019 | Meeting with Shipping Agents and Customs Agents | The meeting discussed progress of work on Manifest and Entry processing as well as other matters relating to Trade and Cargo Clearance |
| Thursday 24 January 2019 | Meeting / Consultation with Chamber of Commerce | The meeting was planned to specifically focus on HS2017 changes that have been approved and will be tabled to Parliaments, discuss the changes to be made under Phase 2 of the review as well as the changes with the Vans and Electric / Hybrid cars |
| Friday 25 January 2019 | Staff Awareness / Sessions | The details of this day is stated below |
Staff Sessions
Relative to the theme for ICD for this year:
- The day stared with the Customs’ staff special assembly in the morning in front of the Customs office at Matautu to officially open our commemoration for our administration. The keynote address was delivered by the Comptroller and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry, Afioga Matafeo Avalisa Viali Fautua’alii.
- The Customs Staff were divided into three teams, Team 1: Risks and Compliance Division (RCD), Team 2: Clients ServicesDivision (CLD) and Team 3: Border Operations Division (BOD). This was done to enable involvement of all staff working in the Matautu Building and ensure that discussion of the activities is made easier within divisional groupings.
- The three topics for presentations:
- What is Smart Borders?
- Why is Smart Border important/vital for Customs work?
- How can we achieve Smart Borders?
Team 1: Risks and Compliance presented on the topic “What is SMART Border?”
Caption: Presenter from Team 1 delivering his Team’s presentation to the Customs Staff and the panel of Judges.
Team 2: Clients Services Division presented on the topic “How can we achieve Smart Borders?”
Caption: Team 2 during their team’s presentation and role play in front of the Customs Staff and panel of Judges.
Team 3: Border Operations Division presented on the topic “Why is Smart Border important/vital for Customs work?”
Caption: Team 3 during their team’s presentation and role play in front of the Customs Staff and panel of Judges.
The prize giving and the closing ceremony took place after teams presentations and everyone celebrated this year’s 2019 International Customs Day with high spirits.
Team 3: Border Operations Division walked away with the Best Presentation Award while the other two teams won consolation prizes.
