Beirut: Customs to Facilitate Relief Consignments

In 2011 I went to Beirut for a WCO customs valuation mission. My room was near the port and I enjoyed walking the narrow streets, visiting historical sites, and eating typical food. My Customs colleagues were wonderful hosts and I am still in shock with the ammonium nitrate massive explosion at the port. The casualty is a catastrophe with hundreds of deaths and thousands of injured.

 That said I am posting to express solidarity and share guidance on how Customs and border agencies can assist to overcome the state of emergency by facilitating the arrival of relief consignments.

"The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted." (Psalm 104:16 NRSV).

a) Decide and Implement Special Procedures for Priority HS codes

 As with COVID-19, it is essential for Customs and border agencies to have a clear list of HS goods priority. The codes should be implemented on Customs – trade systems and given publicity.

 The WCO has developed an HS Classification reference for COVID-19 medical supplies 3rd Edition (2 June 2020) (WCO COVID-19 page) that can serve as a basis to the current disaster. The list is available in several languages, but it should still be translated to Lebanese Arabic. The Lebanese authorities might want to expand the list to include other goods that are needed.

 Some possibilities for the HS priority goods include but are not limited to:

a) reduced/waive import tariffs and other internal taxes associated with importation.

b) anticipated or immediate clearance.

c) waiver of import licenses.

d) facilitation for importers register.

e) acceptance of electronic/digital documents.

f) waiver of penalties for declaration errors.

g) provisional customs/border points in strategic logistics locations.

 The international community need to be aware of the list and of its changes according to priorities changes. In that way, donations can be optimized for each stage of the assistance, avoiding unsolicited cargo that often causes issues of storage space and disruption to the humanitarian supply chain. Please also refer to the WCO Secretariat Note "How to establish and utilize essential goods lists during a disaster".

b) Be Aware of Existing Conventions/International Instruments to Support Relief Consignments

 Lebanese Customs and border agencies authorities might want to refer to the following Conventions/Instruments to support the implementation of international trade policies for relief consignments:

•  World Customs Organization (WCO) - International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, as amended (Revised Kyoto Convention - RKC) – Chapter 5 to Specific Annex J. (Text of the RKC)
•  World Trade Organization (WTO) - Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA).
•  Model Act on Disaster Relief from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in cooperation with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Also in need of a Lebanese Arabic translation.
• Content and updates on IMPACCT Working Group: Cross-border movement of humanitarian relief consignments.

c) Logistics

 In times of crisis, speed is international trade number one priority, even if it means higher costs. In this line and having in mind the experience acquired with COVID-19 supplies, Lebanese authorities might need to get involved in the logistics coordination to bring full loaded shipments of relief goods to the country.

 It is important to avoid as much as possible that individual traders, acting independently according to their own self-interest, behave contrary to the common public good “tragedy of commons”.

 Conclusion

 As a final note, whether it is for natural or man-caused disasters, medical and food supplies need to arrive in time to save lives. Customs borders and procedures should be made flexible to the circumstances.

 The digital border is detached from geography, meaning that Customs and border agencies have no longer the necessity to wait for the goods to enter their territory to start procedures. Faster relief goods mean pushing borders and being flexible. Creativity is essential to find the solutions that we all expect in such times. My wishes of resilience for Lebanon.