WTO updates December 2022
WTO dispute panel issues report regarding Indonesian measures on nickel ore
Indonesia has notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appeal the panel report in the case brought by the European Union in “Indonesia — Measures Relating to Raw Materials” (DS592). The panel report was circulated to WTO members on 30 November. The appeal was circulated to WTO members on 12 December.
The EU-WCO Origin Africa Programme sets the baseline for support and cooperation with SADC
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held a regional consultation in Gaborone, Botswana, from 21 to 25 November 2022 under the framework of the EU-WCO Origin Africa Programme funded by the European Union (EU). The objective of this consultation was to dress the state of play on the application of rules of origin (RoO) in the region and explore avenues of cooperation between the WCO and SADC, as well as define the support activities to SADC and its members under the EU-WCO Origin Africa Programme; The consultation was followed by a technical workshop conducted by WCO experts to support the alignment of rules of origin to HS 2022.
WTO panel rules against Indonesia's export limitations on raw materials
The EU welcomes the World Trade Organization's (WTO) clear ruling confirming that Indonesia's export ban and domestic processing requirement on nickel ore violates WTO rules. The WTO panel report was made public. The WTO panel upheld all EU claims against Indonesia. First of all, it found that Indonesia's export ban and domestic processing requirement on nickel ore, which is used in the production of stainless steel, are inconsistent with the WTO's prohibition of export prohibitions and restrictions contained in Article XI:1 of the GATT 1994. Moreover, the panel confirmed that the Indonesian measures do not fall under the exemption for prohibitions or restrictions temporarily applied to prevent or relieve critical shortages of products essential to Indonesia, as contained in Article XI:2(a) of the GATT 1994. The panel also found that the measures are not justified by the exception for measures necessary to secure compliance with relevant laws and regulations in Article XX(d) of the GATT 1994.
WTO circulates dispute panel reports regarding US measures on steel and aluminium products
The WTO circulated the panel reports in the cases brought by China, Norway, Switzerland and Türkiye in “United States — Certain Measures on Steel and Aluminium Products” (DS544, DS552, DS556 and DS564).
WCO supports Guatemala on the restructuring of the Tariff Classification and Preferential Tariff Treatment of Goods Unit
At the request of the Customs Administration of Guatemala (Intendencia de Aduanas – SAT), a WCO technical assistance and diagnostic mission on tariff classification and advance rulings was held in Guatemala City from 5 to 9 December 2022. The technical assistance was requested as part of the modernization programme of the Customs Intendance of Guatemala. The aim was to carry out a diagnostic mission to strengthen the Custom’s infrastructure, regulations, capacity building and the daily management of issues related to classification and the origin of goods in terms of the application of the rules of origin.
The EU-WCO Origin Africa Programme sets the baseline for support and cooperation with SADC
The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Southern African Development Community (SADC), held a regional consultation in Gaborone, Botswana, from 21 to 25 November 2022 under the framework of the EU-WCO Origin Africa Programme funded by the European Union (EU). The objective of this consultation was to dress the state of play on the application of rules of origin (RoO) in the region and explore avenues of cooperation between the WCO and SADC, as well as define the support activities to SADC and its members under the EU-WCO Origin Africa Programme; The consultation was followed by a technical workshop conducted by WCO experts to support the alignment of rules of origin to HS 2022.
The WCO supports the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in further enhancing its AEO Programme
The WCO organized a five-day capacity building mission from 14 to 18 November 2022 in Lusaka, Zambia. The purpose was to enhance Zambia’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme and develop the necessary skills to conduct AEO security criteria validations in line with the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards and Article 7.7 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The mission was organized under the framework of the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which is financially supported by the United Kingdom’s HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).