NCE conducts training seminar on current customs procedures

Monday, 26 January 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) the only private sector Chamber which exclusively serves exporters conducted a Training Seminar on Current Customs Procedures related to imports and exports and the proper use of Incoterms on 21 January 2015 at the Golden Pond, Hotel Taj Samudra.

Sri Lanka Customs Deputy Director Revenue and Services N. Ravindrakumar, Sri Lanka Customs Additional Director General Revenue and Services M. Puviharan, NCE President Sarada M. De Silva, NCE CEO/Secretary General Shiham Marikar and Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council Chairman Sean Van Dort Since the end of the conflict in 2009, services related trade has seen a very positive attitude at Sri Lanka Customs, which has played a lead role to introduce electronic documentation through the customs operating system known as ASYCUDA. This system has paved the way since 2011 to develop new payment gateways, e-documentation, and connectivity systems where the users of services of customs could widely use online platforms through the Direct Trade Input (DTI) facility. Along with this development the Customs Department has also set up a one stop Export Cargo Facilitation Centre (EFC), to streamline the operational aspects of physical cargo movements. Both automation, and the EFC, will enable the export trade to increase speed, and reduce unseen hidden costs when processing, and clearing export cargo. The objective of the EFC is to facilitate export cargo clearance through Customs by minimising the time taken, thereby reducing the costs incurred, and promoting compliant traders, while discouraging illegal exports. The EFC will highly benefit exporters through the availability of Customs services on 24 X 7 X 365 basis, predictability reducing Customs clearance time and costs. This one-stop-shop for all exports will provide eWarranting for selected exporters as well as a Green Channel facility to compliant exporters.

Further overtime charges on imports will be streamlined through an import facilitation fee, obviating any cash transactions. The training seminar was conducted by the Chamber in the above context, and focused on disseminating knowledge on export and import procedures, with the proper use of Inco terms in various transactions, to enable managerial, and other operational staff engaged in the transactions to overcome difficulties, and reduce operational costs. The keynote address was delivered by Sean Van Dort, Chairman of Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council, and Council Member of the NCE with many years of practical experience in Senior Managerial position in the private sector related to Shipping and Logistics. The seminar was well attended, and participants benefitted immensely through the knowledge that was imparted.