National Workshop enhances the capacity of the customs brokers in St. Kitts and Nevis to facilitate trade

ST. KITTS:  Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 29, 2016 (SKNIS): The Trade Competitiveness Section of the Trade Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with the Ministry of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Customs Excise Department of St. Kitts and Nevis, recently held a three day workshop for customs brokers.
The April 27-29 workshop was aimed at enhancing the capacity of customs brokers to further improve the efficiency of the trade and business environment in both St. Kitts and Nevis.
Topics such as Valuation of Goods, International Trade Transactions and Border Control and Agency Functions were covered during the training programme.
Charlton Edwards, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said that the workshop also provided “an insight into rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) valuation of goods system and its applicability to the work of the customs broker.” He added that it will also provide “participants with knowledge of selected trade facilitation measures which impacts on border control activities and agency functions.”
Mr. Edwards noted that customs brokers are very important in the import and export process as they generally act as an intermediary between traders and Customs in the shipping and importing process.
He said that a customs brokers’ knowledge of Customs laws and processes in addition to their work experience in the trade supply chain can be useful for both traders and Customs.
“While brokers support traders by providing all necessary documentation and undertaking formalities related to cargo clearance, customs brokers are also expected to maintain government interests by ensuring compliance with Customs and other regulatory requirements and the collection of appropriate duties and taxes.