Customs signs MoU with PNGCBA

By MATTHEW VARI 

Sunday, June 30, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Papua New Guinea Customs Service (PNGCS) and Papua New Guinea Customs Brokers Association (PNGCBA), last week at the Hideaway Hotel in Port Moresby.

The MoU further recognizes the role brokers play in the area of customs trade facilitation and revenue protection and collection under the Customs Act.

Brokers are the legitimate parties that transact business with Customs.

“They are the platform to mediate between clients and Customs,” Customs Commissioner, Ray Paul explained in his keynote address.

Commissioner, Paul, signed the MoU with Jason Hau’ofa, the President of the Customs Broker Association.

Mr Paul explained the role of PNGCBA as the legitimate party that broker’s welfare and interest are dealt with. Brokers that are affiliated with PNGCBA have a direct communication link to channel all grievances straight to the Commission.

Areas of understanding stipulated in the MoU include:

·        Consultation – each party to assist the other to enhance the operation of Customs.

·        Complimentary Information Sharing – both parties will use their best endeavors to share and exchange information which will be beneficial to their respective functions

·        Report Abuse of Office – both parties will promptly report incidences of abuse of office by employees or members of either party to the other.

·        Provision of Customs Broker Training – PNGCBA recognizes and acknowledges the obligation of PNGCS to license and regulate the activities of Customs brokers. PNGCS on its part will hold qualifying Customs brokers exams once a year.

·        Customs Broker License Fees – lesser license fees will be applied on PNGCBA members a year after legislation giving effect to this is enacted.

The Commissioner urged all Customs brokers to register with the Customs Brokers Association, to help raise all their organizations to an equal standard.