Maria David
THE Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has implemented the use of the Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) within its customs clearance operation for both import and export in the ASYCUDA World system.
The UCR concept is the fundamental need for Customs authorities to facilitate legitimate international trade, while at the same time, providing effective controls.
In this respect, the UCR would provide Customs with an efficient tool to exchange information between enforcement agencies.
The basis of the UCR is to maximise use of existing supplier, customer and transport references.
According to NamRa commissioner Sam Shivute, the UCR will start on 1 June this year.
Shivute said NamRA, in collaboration with Southern African Customs Union (SACU), will be implementing the usage of UCR for consignment between Namibia and South Africa.
He explained that this will be done with an aim of contributing to trade security and facilitation in the framework of the international supply chain.
“Ensuring the traceability of consignments and facilitation of trade data reconciliation,” he cited.
Shivute said this was recommended by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), as the usage of UCR by international trade players including Customs Administrations to track the movement of goods from the consignor.
He concluded that the UCR will be used to link declarations between two or more countries.
