House Approves Resolution to Adopt 2007 Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System

A resolution seeking to implement the 2007 Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System was adopted in the House of Representatives yesterday (February 13).
The Customs Tariff (Revision) (Amendment) Resolution 2007 was moved by Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Fitz Jackson.
“The Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System regarded as the common language of international trade is the World Customs Organisation international multipurpose product nomenclature used as the basis for customs tariffs, and collection of international trade statistics,” explained Mr. Jackson.
He further said that the System consisted of “a comprehensive classification system in which all commodities are classified and identified by six digital harmonized commodity description and coding system code”.
“It represents a major contribution towards synchronization of customs and international trade procedures further contributing to international trade facilitation efforts,” Mr. Jackson noted.
He also informed that the System is revised at regular intervals, to ensure that it reflects changes in technology and patterns of international trade. The Minister added that amendments to the fourth schedule of the Customs Tariff (Revision) Resolution 1972 contained 354 sets of amendments in response to present security, commercial, and technological developments.
“The amendments were driven by changes in trade patterns and practices, technological progress, the necessity to clarify text to ensure uniform interpretation, and the need to make provision for specific social and environmental developments,” he further explained.
The State Minister added that the changes included deletion of a number of headings and the merger of others, as well as the creation and the restructuring of new headings or subheadings. There is also the improvement in the wording of the classification to prevent misclassification and misunderstanding.
“As a contracting party to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System convention, Jamaica is required to adopt these amendments with immediate effect,” said Mr. Jackson. The motion was supported by the Opposition.