Reference no: EM133201159 , Length: Word Count: 3000 Words
Assignment - International Alignment
Question 1 - WCO Alignment
Please produce a written report of between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
The World Customs Organization's International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonisation of Customs Procedures - known as the Revised Kyoto Convention or RKC - is the principal convention governing the way in which customs authorities carry out their duties.
The European Union's accession to the Revised Kyoto Convention was approved by Council Decision 2003/231/EC of 17 March 2003 and it is binding on the UK and all other EU Member States.
Choose one of the following areas of the RKC and compare the degree to which HMRC procedures align with the provisions of the RKC:
- Customs Control
- Relationship between Customs and Third Parties
- Information, decisions and rulings supplied by Customs
- Application of Information Technology.
In particular:
(a) Identify any relevant HMRC Notices or Guidance documents and analyse the extent to which HMRC procedures reflect the standards or recommended practices of the RKC.
(b) Explain how the RKC provisions are likely to improve customs control and/or trade facilitation.
(c) Discuss the sort of commercial practices that should be adopted to ensure that companies comply with the particular HMRC requirements.
Question 2 - WTO Alignment
Please produce a written report of between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
Compare the contents of HMRC Notice 252 - Valuation of imported goods for customs purposes, VAT and trade statistics - with the WTO Valuation Agreement and analyse the way in which it is implemented in the UK.
In particular:
(a) Evaluate the guidance given in these notices against the WTO foundation agreement.
(b) Identify which areas of the international agreement are covered in the HMRC Notice.
(c) Is there any divergence between the HMRC Notice and the WTO Agreement?
(d) Discuss the sort of commercial practices that should be adopted to ensure that companies comply with the UK requirements.