The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) has launched a first-of-its-kind Time Release Study (TRS) which will provide customs authorities, other government agencies and the private sector the opportunity to identify bottlenecks in clearance procedures.

The TRS measures the actual time required for the release and/or clearance of goods from the time of arrival until the physical release of cargo, with a view toward finding bottlenecks in the trade flow process and taking the corresponding necessary measures to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of border procedures.

NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute at the official launch of the TRS in Walvis Bay yesterday said the study enables Namibia as a member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), as well as the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to measure the time taken to release goods that are imported or exported in their respective country.

As per Article 7.6 of the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, WTO members are encouraged to measure and publish the average release time of goods periodically and in a consistent manner, using tools such as the Time Release Study of the WTO.

Members are also encouraged to share with the committee their experiences in measuring average release times, including methodologies, used, bottlenecks identified, and any resulting effects on efficiency.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency