Customs procedures are heavily standardized worldwide to ensure international supply chains function smoothly without regulatory bottlenecks.
The World Customs Organization (WCO)
The WCO is the primary global intergovernmental body focused on customs matters. It develops international conventions and standards to help member nations align their customs processes. Its most notable frameworks include:
- The Harmonized System (HS) Convention: Standardizes commodity descriptions and coding systems worldwide.
- The Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC): Provides the blueprint for transparent, predictable, and modernized customs processes.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Valuation Agreement
The WTO sets international rules for determining the value of imported goods to prevent countries from using arbitrary valuations as disguised trade barriers. Under this agreement, customs values must be based on the actual transaction price of the imported goods whenever possible.
Domestic Legislation
National customs administration operates under comprehensive statutes (such as the East African Community Customs Management Act – EACCMA or equivalent local Customs Acts). These laws give customs officers the authority to board ships, inspect cargo, arrest smugglers, and seize non-compliant goods.
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