08 September 2010

Trade Facilitation

Five Customs Initiatives

In recognition of the need for a comprehensive approach to securing and improving trade facilitation within SACU a programme  was adopted by Council in December 2004, for five customs initiatives, covering the following priority areas: 

1. Introduction of a Single Administrative Document (SAD) as a common Customs Declaration form;
2. Establishment of One Stop Border arrangements;
3. Introduction of joint Border controls;
4. Use of electronic data interchange by Customs authorities; and,
5. Implementation of a capacity enhancement programme.

In order to improve trade facilitation within the SACU region the Member States have agreed that implementation of these initiatives will reduce transaction costs and, create a more transparent and predictable environment for the conduct of trade within SACU.