The Customs Valuation Agreement (CVA) marked a significant milestone with an anniversary event where members discussed its benefits and challenges. The agreement's importance in today's trading environment was emphasized, particularly its role in providing transparent and uniform rules that ensure predictability for traders.
Deputy Director-General Ellard highlighted the agreement's forward-looking design, noting its market-based valuation principles and collaboration between customs authorities and the private sector. These aspects are crucial given current challenges like digital trade and evolving global supply chains. She acknowledged the need for innovative interpretations of the CVA to address rapid technological advancements.
Ellard urged continued cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Technical Committee on Customs Valuation to tackle complexities introduced by digital trade. Her full remarks are available online.
Customs experts also shared insights at the event. Santa Marianela Marte De Los Santos from the Dominican Republic reported reduced time and costs due to CVA implementation in her country. Omar Cisse from Senegal stressed transparency, while Lin Qianyu of the WCO Technical Committee reviewed 30 years of cooperation with the CVA. Kelly Morgero from Brazil updated members on recent customs valuation developments.
Committee Chair Sergio Prieto López of Spain concluded the event by highlighting valuable exchanges over 30 years of implementing the CVA.
In regular committee work, members were updated on customs valuation legislation notifications under Article 22 of the CVA. So far, 119 members have notified their national legislation, and 92 have responded to a checklist of issues. Eight new notifications resulted from a workshop organized by the Secretariat in May 2024.
The Chair presented a WTO Secretariat report indicating room for improvement in notification rates under CVA Article 22.1. Some categories showed low submission rates for one-time notifications, suggesting areas for further attention.
"This new report could provide an opportunity for the Committee to address outstanding notifications," said Prieto López.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2025.