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A Workshop on SASEC Customs-to-Customs Data Exchange was held on 7-8 April 2016 in New Delhi, India, following recommendations made in the Second and Third SASEC Customs Subgroup (SCS) Meetings in Kathmandu, Nepal and Goa, India, respectively.

This Workshop:

• Explored the level of preparedness for cross-border exchange of commercial Customs data within SASEC Customs administrations;
• Delivered a series of presentations on Customs-to-Customs Data Exchange, including presentations on Globally Networked Customs (GNC) and Utility Blocks;
• Evaluated international best practice on Customs data exchange among Customs administrations in the Balkan region and the Southern African Customs Union;
• Facilitated a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, on the concept of Customs data exchange, and agreed on the need and schedule to initiate a proof-of-concept project; and
• Agreed to create a skeletal Utility Block based on exchange of real-time valuation data at the Petrapole/Benapole crossing.

Mr S. Kumar, Commissioner, India Central Board of Excise and Customs, delivered the opening remarks where he reiterated India’s support for the concept of cross-border Customs data exchange and the World Customs Organization GNC initiative.

Workshop participants included representatives from Customs administrations of SASEC member countries and international Customs experts in WCO GNC. The Workshop was supported by Asian Development Bank technical assistance.

The planned Customs-to-Customs Data Exchange builds upon the WCO 'Customs in the 21st Century' strategic vision, which advocates creation of an international e-Customs network to ensure seamless connectivity, and paperless, real-time flow of information. This would be achieved through (i) internationally standardized data requirements for export, transit and import; (ii) interconnected systems to enable the electronic exchange of data between Customs administrations; (iii) mutual recognition and coordination protocols between administrations; and (iv) rules governing the exchange of information between Customs administrations, including data protection.