A. General Information
Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG): RCTG-CARNET
B. Lessons Learned
The COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG-CARNET) provides a uniform basis for transit movement throughout the region with only one guarantee used for transit in all member states. It allows for cost reduction, delay reduction at border posts and simplifies the clearing process.
The objective of the RCTG scheme is to provide a uniform basis for transit movement throughout the region, where only one guarantee is used for the transit of goods through all transiting Member States.
- The COMESA Regional Customs Transit Guarantee (RCTG-CARNET) Scheme is a component of the COMESA Protocol on Transit Trade and Transit Facilitation, Annex I of COMESA Treaty;
- COMESA RCTG Agreement was signed by the Heads of State and Government of the Preferential Trade Area (PTA), (now COMESA) Summit, held in Mbabane, Swaziland (now eSwatini), in November 199.
- The development on the modalities of operations was started in 2002 and Scheme became operational in the Northern Corridor countries in 2012.
- The application of multiple customs bonds and documentation at each and every border crossing point increased the cost of premium for bonds, Clearing fees for Agents , multiple collateral requirements , customs entries and delays contributed to the high cost of transport and transit in the COMESA Region
- Through all participating c stoms Management act, the Customs Bond Guarantee Agreement , the Inter -Surety Goods travel in customs secure vehicles and/or containers wherever possible;
- All carriers involved in transit traffic should be licensed;
- Throughout the transit, duties and taxes at risk are covered by a valid RCTG guarantee/Bond;
- Goods are accompanied by a Customs Transit Declaration; and
- The RCTG Carnet shall be used throughout the transit process as a bond or guarantee exemption certificate in all member and participating states transited.
The project covers the following functionalities:
- RCTG bond management
- Clearing & Forwarding Agents and Guarantor Management
- T1 entry and Carnet management
- The system is interfaced with the National Customs Systems to get real time update of transit entry declaration.
Data Exchanged include:
- Clearing and Forwarding Agents information
- Guarantors (Insurance Companies guaranteeing the RCTG Bond)
- RCTG Bond information including RCTG Bond status and Bond Supplementary information
- Customs declaration (Entry) information and RCTG Carnet
- T1 departure from port/station of origin
- T1 entry arrival at destination (warehouse) information
- T1 exit and entry at border point
- Bond guarantee cancellation (acquittal of the Carnet)
Unreliable internet connectivity and delays in acquiring infrastructure in some Member States.
Full engagement and ownership of the stakeholders in the design, development, pilot testing, operations and decision making is a critical factor for the success.
Reduce cost of Bond/Guarantee and collaterals charged by Sureties;
Reduce cost of Bond /Guarantee charged by Agents;
Reduce delays at border posts;
Simplify the clearing process;
Provide Business opportunity;
Minimize Revenue leakage;
Implementation of the RCTG Carnet reduces the cost of transport and clearance by between 10 and 15 per cent.
Reduce bond charged by Agents. Reduce transit Time. Simplify the clearing process. Reduce documentation. Reduce and gradually remove the acquittal process of bonds. Provide Business opportunity. Minimize Revenue leakage
“THE COMESA/RCTG CARNET- WTO –Trade Facilitation Workshop Supporting Implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement in the Post-Bali Context 10thJune 2014 Geneva”
USAID and European Union through Regional Integration Support Programme (RISP)
- North-South Corridor (DR Congo, Malawi & Zimbabwe)
- Horn Corridor (Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan & Sudan)