The Project for Capacity Development of South Sudan Customs Services for Introduction of Harmonized System Code (2016-2019)

The economy of the Republic of South Sudan depends heavily on oil revenues, which accounts for 71 % of the GDP and 98 % of export earnings. South Sudan, as a resource rich country, has the ambition to offset its trade imbalance by diversifying away from oil, but the potential contribution of key non-oil sectors is constrained by various factors. For example, lack of capacity in the customs administration  hinder that effort to increase cross-border trade transactions.

Given this background, the Government of South Sudan requested JICA to provide technical assistance in introducing the data management system called “Harmonized System (HS) code” to South Sudan Customs (SSC) for efficient customs operations.  The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, generally referred to as “Harmonized System” (HS) is an internationally standardized system to classify traded products, developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO). Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are the projected training partners from the East African Community (EAC).  The purposes of this project are as follows:

  1. Conduct baseline surveys on the SSC administration;
  2. Introduce HS and provide training to SSC officers; and
  3. Provide statistical data analysis training coordinating with various stakeholders, including the World Bank, World Customs Organization, and the East African Community.