UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON HARMONIZATION OF FRONTIER CONTROL OF GOODS, 1982 Poul Hansen United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Transport Division 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

UNECE involvement in transport facilitation Focal point for regulatory and technical intergovernmental development in the transport facilitation Traditionally originates in Europe (UNECE) due to early identification of needs. Overland focus. Examples: TIR Convention, Temporary importation 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Aim of the Harmonization Convention UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Simplify customs and administrative border crossing procedures (sanitary, veterinary, physosanitary etc.) Harmonize formalities Reduce the number and duration of controls Standardize documentation Co-ordinates national and international control procedures 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Benefits of the Harmonization Convention UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Reduction of border delays, Reduction of transport cost Reduction of trade transaction cost Reduction of border operating costs for State budget More efficient investments in border facilities 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Scope of the Harmonization Convention UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Covers all issues of frontier controls for goods Covers all modes of transport Contains specific provisions for certain transport modes Globally applicable, although European based Global application, UNECE ITC Resolution No. 230 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Main features of the Harmonization Convention Chapter I: General provisions incl. definitions Chapter II: Harmonization of procedures Co-ordination of controls, Resources of the services, International co-operation, Co-operation between adjacent countries, Exchange of information, documents Chapter III: Goods in transit Chapter IV: Miscellaneous Operational annexes 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Application of the Harmonization Convention Accession (UN Secretary General depositary) Relation to other treaties Contracting Parties (48 countries) 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Harmonization Convention Contracting Parties 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Harmonization Convention UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on http.//border.unece.org http://untreaty.un.org/ENGLISH/bible/englishinternetbible/partI/chapterXI/subchapA/treaty17.asp http://www.unece.org/trans/conventn/harmone.pdf http://www.unece.org/trans/conventn/harmonr.pdf 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation

Harmonization Convention UNECE SECRETARIAT 8-14, Avenue de Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland Phone: +41 22 917 32 58 Fax: +41 22 917 0 39 Email address: Poul.Hansen@unece.org 17-18 October 2006 Moscow UNECE/EurAsEC Conference on Trade Facilitation