The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Monday began a six-week training programme for approximately 139 potential customhouse brokers.
According to a GRA press release, the programme will encompass doctrines on various aspects of customs and trade, including classification, rules of origin, warehousing, Excise Tax, prohibition and restriction, importation and exportation of toxic chemicals, labelling and standards.
It further noted that regulations and policies of the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department, CARICOM and international trade agreements are the other integral aspects of the programme.
The release said the potential customhouse brokers will also be engaged on the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) and, in particular, how to prepare the electronic Single Administrative Document (eSAD). ASYCUDA is an internet-based solution which facilitates paperless transactions.
The GRA also highlighted that the 2018 curriculum will include an Introduction to Oil and Gas, for which facilitators will be drawn from within the GRA’s Oil and Gas Unit and an external counterpart. Other facilitators will be drawn from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department and the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB).
The training progamme, which is being held at the Guyana Police Force Training Centre, Eve Leary, will conclude on November 9th with an assessment to determine aptitude.
The GRA noted that training is a mandatory part of becoming licensed to act on behalf of individual and corporate taxpayers. Customs Regulation 202, subject to Regulation 203, provides that a customhouse broker must be licensed by the Commissioner-General of GRA, in order to conduct brokerage activities with the Customs Excise and Trade Operations.
