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WCO, WHO Issue Updated COVID-19 Medical Supplies Classification Guide
April 10, 2020 |World Customs Organization

The World Customs Organization, with help from the World Health Organization, updated its list of tariff classifications for COVID-19 medical supplies, the WCO said in a news release. The updated version expands on the first list (see 2003200061) to “cover a greater range of medical equipment and supplies that are required as critical items by the WHO, such as oxygen concentrators and sample collection sets,” it said. “The initial list contained the classification of essential products needed such as COVID-19 diagnostic test kits and masks, certain protective personal equipment and medical devices such as ventilators and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), consumables and disinfectant products that may be used for the prevention and treatment of the disease.”

WCO, WTO Coordinating on COVID-19 Response
April 7, 2020 |World Customs Organization

The World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization will be working “closely together to minimize disruption to cross-border trade in goods -- in particular those essential to combat COVID-19 -- while safeguarding public health,” the groups said in a joint news release. “Within our respective mandates, we have already invited Members to increase transparency by sharing information on new trade and trade-related measures introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” they said. “To the extent appropriate, we are making such information publicly available through our respective websites. We are also willing to establish a coordinated approach in support of initiatives that facilitate cross-border trade in goods, in particular those key to combat COVID-19. This would allow that essential goods can quickly reach those most in need, including in least developed and land-locked countries.” Border measures meant to protect citizens should be temporary and rescinded “once they are no longer needed, especially if they restrict trade,” they said. “We welcome initiatives to facilitate and simplify cross-border procedures and urge our Members to prioritize those for exporting and importing essential goods.”

WCO Warns of Increase in Counterfeit Medical Supplies, Launches IPR Sharing Platform for Customs Regimes
March 30, 2020 |World Customs Organization

There's been a recent uptick in international enforcement activity involving counterfeit medical goods, the World Customs Organization said in a notice. “ While the world is gripped by the fight against COVID-19, criminals have turned this into an opportunity for fraudulent activity,” the WCO said. “There have been an alarming number of reports quoting seizures of counterfeit critical medical supplies, such as face masks and hand sanitizers in particular. Customs and law enforcement agencies in China, Germany, Indonesia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam, to name but a few, have reported such seizures in the past three weeks.” There's also been a recent trend of export licensing requirements for “certain categories of critical medical supplies, such as face masks, gloves and protective gear,” the WCO said.

Topics:Exports to China
WCO Offers COVID-19 Medical Supply Classification Guide
March 23, 2020 |World Customs Organization

The World Customs Organization created a dedicated site and medical supply classification guide to help during the COVID-19 epidemic, the WCO said in a news release. “During this time of crisis, the global Customs community is invited to continue advocating for and realize the facilitation of not just relief supplies but of all goods being traded in order to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya said. The WCO said it “will continue to proactively communicate with its Members and partners, not only on measures to facilitate the movement of relief consignments, but on action to safeguard supply chain continuity.”