Liberia Becomes the 138th Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention

Wednesday, 28th July 2010

The WCO acceptance of Liberia also makes the country eligible to exceed to the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. The latest decision by the WCO makes Liberia the 138th contracting party to the convention.
The WCO officially took the decision on 26 June 2010 in Brussels after the Republic of Liberia deposited with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System).
Considering that more than 98% of international merchandise trade is classified in terms of the Harmonized System, the WCO is pleased to welcome Liberia as the 138th Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention and looks forward to Liberia’s active participation with respect to Harmonized System matters.
The Harmonized System Convention will enter into force in Liberia on 1 January 2012, unless Liberia decides to specify an earlier date.
Customs Commissioner Decontee T. King-Sackie said she is happy Liberia has exceeded to the WCO Harmonized System.” This will qualify the country to get technical assistance both to government and trade from the WCO” the Customs Commissioner remarked. Commissioner King-Sackie said the WCO decision is another milestone in Liberia’s trade reform agenda.
Liberia has been a Member of the WCO since 7 January 1975. The country on the West Coast of Africa is bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean. Liberia’s principal export commodities are rubber, timber, iron, diamonds, cocoa and coffee. The country’s principal import commodities are fuels, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, manufactured goods and foodstuffs.

Issued by:
Media Services and Public Affairs Unit
Ministry of Finance

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