about SCCP	upcoming events	contacts	library	what's new?	partner economies	links	e-mail
	HOME

	Terms of Reference of the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures
	SCCP Vision Statement
	SCCP Guiding Framework
	SCCP Guiding Principles (FACTS)
	Summary of Direction from APEC Leaders and ABAC
	History of the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures

Terms of Reference
of the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures
(November 1994, Jakarta, Indonesia)

SCCP Vision Statement
(June 1995, Sapporo, Japan)

"In keeping with the goals and directions provided by the Bogor Declaration of the APEC Economic Leaders to achieve free and open trade and investment in the Asia Pacific no later than the year 2010/2020, we, the Customs administrations of APEC, will cooperate in customs related matters, to the extent possible, and move to simplify and harmonize customs procedures to facilitate trade among APEC economies."

SCCP Guiding Framework
(June 1995, Sapporo, Japan)

"In pursuing the above vision, we will recognize the different interests and diversity of Customs administrations in the region; recognize the importance of focused assistance and the need to pursue all opportunities for cooperation; consult with the private sector; coordinate our work with the World Trade Organization (WTO), WCO and other Customs fora, while avoiding duplication of work; recognize constraints in personnel and financial resources; and ensure that our work is focused and kept current."

SCCP Guiding Principles (FACTS)
(February 1995, Fukuoka, Japan)

Summary of Direction
from APEC Leaders and ABAC

1996 APEC
Economic Leaders’
DECLARATION
Recognized Customs progress in facilitating the conduct of business in and between APEC economies, increasing competitiveness and reducing transaction costs.

Directed APEC Ministers to intensify work in 1997 on:

• simplification of customs clearance procedures;
• effective implementation of intellectual property rights commitments;
• harmonization of customs valuation; and
• enhancing the environment for investments.

1996 APEC
Business Advisory Council (ABAC)
RECOMMENDATIONS
Complete implementation of all customs facilitation, harmonization and standardization measures by 2000, according to the following intermediate milestones:

• adhere to the Harmonized System and the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement by the end of 1997;
• standardize and simplify customs documents and procedures by 1997;
• implement fully an APEC-wide electronic customs processing system by 2000;
• facilitate business travel through an APEC Business Visa and Business Immigration Lanes; and
• provide technical training to economies that require assistance, ensuring that adequate resources are devoted.

History of the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP)
Since it was established in 1989, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has evolved into a key forum, with the potential to have a significant impact on the future of the Asia Pacific region. APEC took a considerable step forward in 1994 when its leaders, through the Bogor Declaration, announced plans to create a free-trade area by 2010 for developed economies and by 2020 for developing ones. APEC’s focus on liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment has increasingly attracted international attention. At the same time, economic development, technical cooperation and dialogue with business continue to be important to APEC members.

SHARED VISION
Traditionally, international bodies use negotiation and binding common commitments to achieve results. APEC, however, relies on consultation to create a shared vision that members can implement in an individual, non-binding manner. Since its early days, APEC has progressed owing to the efforts of a number of committees, sub-committees and working groups. Among these was the Customs Procedures Working Group which, in 1994, became the Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP), reporting to the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI). The SCCP’s mandate is to facilitate trade by simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures.

Under the chairmanship of Japan in 1995 and the Philippines in 1996, the SCCP made great advances, resulting in some notable achievements. During Japan’s year, members focused on FACTS — facilitation, accountability, consistency, transparency, and simplification, reaching a consensus on the SCCP Action Program in Sapporo in June 1995. Members agreed on a vision statement, a guiding framework and principles, a common action plan (CAP), individual action plans, and statements on technical assistance. The Osaka Action Agenda of 1995, which includes the CAP of the SCCP, serves as the blueprint for liberalizing and facilitating trade and investment to benefit business within the APEC region. In addition, the SCCP is guided by the private sector, economic leaders and ministers through statements found in the Manila Action Plan of 1996 for APEC (MAPA), a plan for carrying out individual and collective initiatives.

COLLECTIVE ACTION PLAN
In 1996, the SCCP developed a comprehensive framework for technical assistance and human resource development, providing a foundation for implementation of the CAP. Canada and Japan will continue to be shepherds responsible for implementing the APEC technical assistance framework. Implementation of SCCP’s CAP depends on funding from the APEC Trade and Investment Liberalization and Facilitation (TILF) Fund, provided by Japan. TILF totals 10 billion yen (approx. US$100 million) over 15 years for APEC activities.

Under the leadership of the Philippines in 1996, an implementation framework for the SCCP CAP was established and coordinators identified for each of the nine items on the CAP work program. As host of APEC in 1997, Canada chaired three SCCP meetings and the helped expand the CAP to twelve items. Under the chairmanship of Brunei, Darussalam, the number of CAP items has been expanded to thirteen items, to include Integrity as an initiative.

During 2001, under the chairmanship of the People's Republic of China, the SCCP will focus its attention on developing an evaluation/assessment methodology for CAP initiatives.  A new CAP initiative on Customs Business Partnerships was developed, bringing the total number of CAP items to fourteen.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
In 1997 the SCCP formalized its vision in the document A Blueprint for APEC Customs Modernization: Working with Business for a Faster, Better Border . This document is updated each year to demonstrate SCCP accomplishments with a view to seeking and solidifying strategic partnerships with business.

SCCP members realize that certainty and speed in clearing goods through borders will lower costs to business. A progressive Customs Administration will have a beneficial impact on an economy’s growth, development and prosperity. Decisions to invest in new enterprises are influenced by factors such as domestic labour and capital costs; and an important consideration is the ease in which goods are cleared through customs.

Many economies have come to realize that a key factor of economic growth and enhanced trade and investment is the removal of barriers and the creation of a virtually seamless flow of people, goods and services. To truly reap the benefits that APEC promises, Customs Administrations need to work with business to develop a faster, better border — one that balances goals of enforcement and public protection with goals of facilitation and competitiveness.

SCCP COLLECTIVE ACTION PLAN OBJECTIVES
(CAP coordinators indicated in brackets)

(New Zealand; Japan - TD 1998 subject to progress in the WCO) To improve efficiency in customs clearance and the delivery of goods in order to benefit importers, exporters and manufacturers through simplified customs procedures and best practices.

(Canada; Philippines - TD 2000) To provide business with an opportunity to challenge potentially erroneous or inequitable Customs decisions through mechanisms for transparent, independent and timely appeals.

(Canada; Australia - on-going) To develop a comprehensive directory supported in UN/EDIFACT which includes a simplified "core set" of data elements, largely derived from commercially available data, that would satisfy the standard data requirements of the majority of APEC trade transactions and so facilitate the exchange of information and provide a foundation for common forms and electronic commerce.