The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), through its Customs Department, and DHL International Liberia on Monday (Feb 6) signed a trade facilitation agreement at the LRA Headquarters in Paynesville.

Trade facilitation is a World Trade Organization (WTO) instrument that removes barriers and paves the way for expediting the movement, release, and clearance of goods, including goods in transit.

Monday’s MOU is intended to strengthen an effective partnership between the LRA and DHL that facilitates the movement, release, and postal clearance of certain categories of goods in accordance with the WTO Trade and Facilitation Agreement (TFA).

Customs Commissioner Saa Saamoi emphasized that with the MOU in place, the LRA Customs will henceforth examine all DHL consignments – shipment and transshipment – to ensure compliance with Customs regulations.

He said the MOU is part of the De Minimis Threshold of the TFA.  The De Minimis Threshold mandates WTO member states to set minimum shipment values or basic amounts payable in taxes on certain consignments.

“The MOU is just the beginning, but I believe that DHL and LRA will achieve the objectives of this agreement which intend to share resources, best practice guidance and cooperate generally to facilitate development, transparency, and increased efficiency in customs-clearing related functions by all stakeholders,” Commissioner Saamoi said.

DHL Country Manager, Mohamed Cherif, lauded the LRA for the MOU which, he said, stands as a tool to ensure a transparent and beneficial clearance process.

Meanwhile, German Ambassador to Liberia, Dr. Jakob Haselhuber, expressed his joy for what he termed as “the wonderful happening” between the two prominent institutions which are part of efforts to contribute to a good business climate in the country.

This MOU is the result of an amendment to Liberia’s Customs Modernization Policy and Trade Facilitation Agreement ratified by the National Legislature recently.