Contents
Foreword
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Part One: Report on the Discussions in the Technical Seminar on Preshipment Inspection
General
Inauguration and Introductory Remarks
Organisation of the Report
Conclusions and Recommendations
Objectives for which PSI Services are Utilised
Viewpoints of International Organisations
Need to Ensure Competition in the Provision of Services
Development of Price Database
Functioning of the WTO Agreement on PSI
Views on Issues under Discussion in the Working Party on Preshipment Inspection
Independent Review Entity
Other Observations
Overview of the Main Points Made by Resource Persons and Country Participants
Explanation of the Provisions of WTO Agreements on PSI and on Customs Valuation
Agreement on Preshipment Inspection
Agreement on Customs Valuation
Procedures Followed for Verification of Prices and for Physical Inspection of Goods
Relationship of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection with the Agreement on Customs Valuation
Differing Views of International Organisations on the Desirability and Usefulness of PSI Services
Viewpoint of the World Bank
Similar View of the IMF
Opposing View of the WCO
Viewpoint of Exporters
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Exporting Countries: New Zealand and Australia
Effectiveness of PSI Services in Meeting the Objectives for Which They Were Employed
Objective of Securing Increase in Revenue Collection
Importance of Cooperation between PSI Companies and the Customs Administration
Effectiveness of PSI Services in Curbing Corruption
Implications of the Adoption of the WTO Valuation System on the Future of PSI Services
Long-term Solution: Discontinuance of the Reliance on the Use of PSI Services
Exchange of Views on Issues under Discussion in the Ongoing WTO Work
Experience of the operation of the PSI Agreement: User Country Point of View
Issues under Discussion in the Ongoing Work
Selective Examination of Shipment
Fee Structure of PSI Companies
Promotion of Competition among Companies
Procedures Followed by IFIA in Admitting New Members
Database
Independent Review Entity (IR)
Part Two: Paper Contributed by the Resource Persons from International and Other Organisations
Valuation of Goods for Customs Purposes
Vinod Rege, Commonwealth Secretariat
Agreement on Preshipment Inspection
Vinod Rege, Commonwealth Secretariat
Relationship of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection with the Agreement on Customs Valuation: Viewpoint of World Customs Organisation (WCO)