международных аэр п р ах, где поток пассажиров постоянно возрастает.

4. Даже при выборе «зеленого коридора» пассажиры могут быть подвержены выборочной проверке.

4. Было т брано несколько чемоданов для досмотра на предмет обнаружения нарк тиков.

5. Инф рмация о новой системе должна быть в распоряжении туристич ских агентств, авиакомпаний, аэропортов и других заин-т р сованных организаций.

4. Особ нно тщательную проверку проходит багаж пассажиров, прибывающих из районов, производящих наркотики.

5. Tаможенные службы мира отмечают, что за последнее время значительно увеличился поток наркотиков.

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VII. Translate into English.

1. Что дает таможенным службам возможность эффективно справляться с растущим числом пассажиров, следующих через международные аэропорты?

2. Как должен действовать двойной коридор?

3. Как должны быть оформлены оба коридора?

4. Почему пассажиры должны быть хорошо проинформированы для того, чтобы выбрать один из коридоров?

5. Где пассажиры могут получить информацию о том, как дей-ствует система двойного коридора?

6. Почему двойной коридор должен быть расположен позади пункта выдачи багажа?

7. Почему важно, чтобы расстояние между пунктом выдачи багажа и входом в коридор было достаточным ?

8. Проходят ли пассажиры, выбравшие «зеленый» коридор, какие-либо другие таможенные формальности ?

9. Какие формальности должны выполнять пассажиры, избрав-шие «красный коридор»?

10. Совместима ли система двойного коридора с применением другого таможенного к нтр ля?

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

to ascertain [æsəˈteɪn] устанавливать

Customs allowances нормы провоза (чего-либо) через

границу

a baggage reclaim tag бирка получения багажа

articles of personal nature предметы личного характера

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to check baggage for проверять багаж на предмет со-

concealments крытий

a criminal offence уголовное правонарушение

to be in the public eye быть в центре общественного вни-

мания

to act with courtesy and действовать вежливо и диплома-

diplomacy тично

a container контейнер, емкость

contents содержимое

to place out of the passenger's помещать вне досягаемости пас-

reach сажира

to have a comprehensive иметь широкий выбор инструмен-

selection of tools and тов и оборудования

equipment

to make full use of the equipment at smb's disposal

• полной мере использовать обо-удован е, находящееся в чьем-

л бо аспоряжении

Text 2.2. Effective passenger and baggage control

In dealing with any passenger, the single most important point to establish is «Why has this passenger travelled?» You should:

• Establish reasons for travel.

• Examine passport to ascertain previous and current journeys from drug production or suspect areas. If the passenger is a frequent traveller establish reasons for frequency of travel.

For passengers!!!!!!

Please, keep your passport safe. Do not leave it in the suitcase, bus, hotel room or car. It's better to keep the passport separately from your documents and money.

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• Examine ticket to ascertain method of payment and whether ticket matches the passenger's journey. (Remember: Late booked or cash tickets are often used by smugglers.)

All the above should be carried out for all passengers. As for their reasons for travelling, your basic questions are:

• Is this all your baggage? Did you pack it yourself?

• Do you know what the baggage contains?

• Are you carrying any items for anyone else? Are you travelling alone?

• Do you know what the Customs allowances are? (Check that the passenger has correct baggage reclaim tags.)

Practical examinations

Passenger travelling on business:

• Examine any documents in order to verify whether the passenger is engaged in legitimate business. Make sure that documents relate to up-to-date transactions.

Visitors or residents returning from holidays:

• Look for gifts, clothing, souvenirs and the usual items you would normally expect to find with this type of passenger. These will link passengers to the baggage and reasons for travel. (Be suspicious of passengers arriving with only light baggage containing few, if any, articles of personal nature.)

All passengers:

• Always check baggage for concealments;

• Regularly examine articles within the baggage by X-ray and/or opening them (e.g. tinned goods, toiletries, cigarette cartons, etc.). Don't overlook the commonplace.

Search of person:

• Carry out a search of person where suspicion still exists.

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For passengers!!!!!!

Please, don't leave cash and valuables in identity documents which you show during Customs clearance. Otherwise the fact of passing cash and valuables to the Customs officer will be considered as the criminal offence which means bribery.

Points to remember prior to baggage examination

• Adopt a positive approach. You must believe that if there are goods concealed, you will find them.

• You are a representative of this department and in the public eye. At all times, act with courtesy and diplomacy. Be firm, but fair and confident.

• Do not be drawn into arguments. Remain calm however provoked.

• Do not hesitate to seek assistance or advice from colleagues.

• Experience has proved that goods, and in particular drugs, can be concealed within baggage and its contents in many different ways. Remember the basic concept that wherever there is a space there can be a concealment.

Helpful hints

The examination of baggage can be separated into two clearly defined areas: the contents and container.

Contents

Remove the contents carefully and systematically. Examine individual items as necessary during this process. Separate any items worthy of closer attention and place out of the passenger's reach.

To facilitate the examination of certain articles, each baggage station should have a comprehensive selection of tools and other equipment including an X-ray machine.

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You should make full use of the equipment at your disposal. When using tools to examine contents, exercise care to minimize damage. If it is necessary to damage an article, try to establish its value prior to examination.

For passengers!

Items forbidden to be transported in hand luggage:

• toy or replica guns (plastic or metal), catapults;

• household cutlery – knives with blades (of any length), corkscrews, paper knives, razor blades;

• tradesman's tools, drills, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers etc.;

• darts, sport bats, arrows, billiard cues;

• scissors (of any size), steel nail files;

• medical syringes (except of medical need);

• knitting needles;

• or any other article which the Security of Minsk Airport authority consider might be used or could be applied for causing injury or incapacitation of a passenger.

On November 6, 2006, new security rules restricting the amount of liquids that you can take through security checkpoints came into effect at all airports in the EU and in Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. The rules are applied to all passengers departing to EU whatever their destination.

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FOR PASSENGERS!

YOU MUSTN'T HAVE THE FOLLOWING

FORBIDDEN ITEMS AND LIQUIDS:

• water and other drinks, soups, syrups;

• creams, lotions and oils;

• perfumes;

• sprays;

• gels, including hair, body and shower gels;

• shaving foam and cream, deodorants;

• mascara;

• any other item of similar consistency.

You are allowed to carry a small amount of liquid in your hand luggage. The liquid should be individually packed. The volume of a pack shouldn’t exceed 100 ml. All the packs should be put in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag. The total volume of the bag shouldn't exceed 1 litre per person.

FOR PASSENGERS!

ITEMS FORBIDDEN FOR TRANSPORTATION IN BAGGAGE:

• explosives-munitions, inluding detonators, fuses, grenades, mines;

• gases: propane, butane;

• flammable liquids including fuel, methanol;

• flammable solids and reactive substances including magnesium, fireworks and flares;

• lighters;

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• oxidising and organic peroxides;

• maintenance kits for bodywork;

• poisonous or infectious substances such as ratsbane, infected blood;

• radioactive materials including medicinal and commercial isotopes;

• corrosives such as mercury, accumulators of transport facilities;

• fuel delivery system components of transport facilities which contained fuel.

Exercises

I. Look through text 2.2 again and answer the following questions:

1. What is the most important point in dealing with a passenger?

2. Why is it important to verify whether a passenger is engaged in legitimate business?

3. Why should a Customs officer be suspicious if a passenger returning from holidays has only light baggage?

4. What points are of major importance prior to baggage examination?

5. What can make the examination of baggage more successful?

6. What technical equipment is necessary for a better examination?

7. What precautions should be taken when using tools to examine contents?

35. Working in pairs mark the questions which you would ask passengers on arrival? Discuss your answers with your partner. Give your reasons for and against.

• What time is it by your watch?

• What is the purpose of your visit?

• Is it your dodge?

• What is your home address?

• Where have you arrived from?

• How many foreign languages do you speak?

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• Are you travelling alone?

• Do you need a doctor?

• What is your occupation?

• What has taken you aback?

• What is your wife's name?

• Is it real turquoise in your ring?

• Is your suitcase very heavy?

• How much do you earn per hour?

• Where did you buy your ticket?

• Do you use any drugs?

• Is this all your baggage?

III. Find the odd ones out. Compare and discuss your answers with your classmates.

In addition to clothing, toilet articles and other articles of an obviously personal nature, the following shall, in particular, be considered to be personal effects (only 7 items):

personal jewellery	table and 4 chairs for	binoculars
portable musical	camping
instruments	CD player	TV set
wheel-chairs for	sporting firearms	refrigerator
disabled people
piano	arms with	X-ray machine
	ammunition

IV. Study the following. Discuss with your partner what important «warnings» are missing in the list.

GENERAL SAFETY WARNING!

When handling suspected material (chemicals):

• never taste or sniff suspected material;

• keep away from sources of ignition and heat (e.g. motors, lighters, direct sunlight, hot plates);

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• wear safety goggles and suitable gloves;

• handle the material at a well ventilated place;

• take special care when transporting the material.

V. Roleplay this conversation.

Passenger: Are you going to examine my things?

Customs In a moment, sir. Meanwhile, can I ask you to look

Officer: through these lists, please.

Passenger: What lists?

Customs The Prohibited Articles list and the Duty-Free Quota

Officer: list. Here they are.

Passenger: Thank you.

Customs Do you have anything to declare, sir?

Officer:

Passenger: Nothing from the first list.

Customs Do you have any items above the fixed quota?

Officer:

Passenger: Well, I haven't got through the second list, you

know. They are both rather long.

Customs Will you please open your suitcases, sir?

Officer:

Passenger: Yes, of course, here you are.

Customs What are these things?

Officer:

Passenger: They are for my personal use.

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Customs You have suits above the fixed quota, sir.

Officer:

Passenger: But they are not new.

Customs All the same. You will have to pay duty on this extra

Officer: one.

Passenger: Well, all right.

Customs Now, I see you have books.

Officer:

Passenger: Are they prohibited?

Customs They'll have to be looked through, sir. Can you put

Officer: them aside, please.

Passenger: What? Are you going to read them all?

Customs No, our interpreter will just skip through them.

Officer: That's all. Now, what are these things?

Passenger: Oh, just a few things for my family. Are they liable

to duty too? Am I liable to pay duty on them too?

Customs No, they are not. Well, the examination is over, sir.

Officer: You may pay the duty for the suit over there. When

you bring the receipt, I'll stamp your documents, sir.

VI. Speculate about the following.

1. Where admission, free of import duties and taxes, is claimed in respect of goods in a traveller's unaccompanied baggage, the Customs authorities may require proof that the person concerned is in fact arriving from abroad.

2. Non-residents who are only passing through the country are not allowed greater facilities.

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3. Tents and other camping equipment are not considered to be personal effects.

3. The personal effects of non-residents cannot be granted temporary admission.

4. The Customs authorities should require a Customs document and security for the temporary admission of non-residents' means of transport for private use.

5. Fuel carried in the normal tanks of the means of transport shall be admitted free of import duties and taxes.

3. Travellers shall be permitted to export goods for commercial purposes, subject to compliance with the necessary formalities and payment of any export duties and taxes chargeable.

4. Transit passengers who do not leave the transit area are required to pass through the Customs control.

3. The proportion of consignments to be physically examined by Customs should be kept to a minimum.

4. Nothing creates delays and high costs in today's Customs procedures.

VII. Translate the following conversations into English.

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Таможенник: В таком случае я вынужден задержать ваш багаж до тех пор, пока вы не предъявите декларацию.

B

Таможенник: У вас есть вещи, подлежащие декларированию?

Пассажир: У меня есть несколько предметов из золота, которые я везу в качестве подарка своим друзьям.

Таможенник: Согласно нашим таможенным правилам вы можете ввозить в нашу страну золотые изде-лия, но вы обязаны указать их в декларации.

Пассажир: Мне нужно платить на них пошлину?

Таможенник: Нет, если сто мость товара не превышает 1500 евро . Так м образом государство защи-щает свой ынок.

Follow-up activities

I. Fill in the gaps with the English equivalents of the words in brackets.

Reference words: baggage; cargo; circumstances; Customs; Customs inspectors; differences; job; passenger; prohibited; revenue; situation; unaccompanied, procedures.

Cargo-processing

Usually when people think of (таможня) they think of (пассажир) processing. That is our public image. But most of the (доход) and the largest enforcement actions occur in (груз) processing.

(Таможенники) speak of «working cargo» as if it were a distinctly different ( работа) from «clearing» (пассажиры) . They are alike in the sense that we are actually only interested in the things being imported, whether it is (багаж) or (груз). They are also alike in the same

55

admissibility or dutiability of items: if an item is (запрещен) in (багаж) then it is (запрещен) in (груз); if it is free in (багаж ) then it is also free in (груз). Nevertheless there are (различия). The major (различие) is that the things imported in (багаж) accompany а (пассажир), while all cargo is (несопровождаемый). It is brought into the country by a carrier. Some of the exemptions in passenger processing also apply in cargo situations, but others do not. Detailed (процедуры) will vary according to the (обстоятельства), but the fundamental patterns of (груз) processing are identical in every (ситуация).

II. Agree or disagree.

EXAMPLES OF GROUNDS FOR DETENTION

1. Mr. Brown was found to be wearing a body belt containing a resinous substance, suspected to be cannabis resin. Brown claims he thought it was glue. The officers doubt this. Detention is necessary to secure or preserve evidence and to obtain evidence by questioning.

2. A search of the detainee's baggage in the Green Channel revealed a quantity of a white powder, suspected to be cocaine, hidden in a shampoo bottle. Detention is not necessary.

3. Mr. Black was stopped in the Green channel and found to be in possession of pornographic videos. He also admitted to having additional videos at home. Detention is not necessary.

4. Mr. White was stopped in the Green channel. He claims to be here for 3 days to buy car parts. He travelled on a cash paid ticket and has £50 sterling and a cheque for £5,000. He appears to have little knowledge of cars and parts and does not have contacts in this field in this country. He is due to return to Nigeria on Monday and as today is Friday seems to have little time to cash the cheque and carry out his planned intentions. The officer suspects that due to the unrealistic intentions revealed by questioning, the story is a cover to conceal the possibility that he may be carrying goods of Customs interest, in particular, drugs internally. Detention is not necessary.

III. Fill in the gaps with the right word.

Reference words: checked, checks up, control, examination, inspection, investigation, search, supervise, surveillance, test, verified.

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1. A … tower is a building at an airport from which air traffic is watched and directed.

2. Customs stopped us and … our bags for alcohol and cigarettes.

3. Police said there would be a full … of the incident.

4. I thought it was paint at first, but on closer … I realized it was dry blood.

5. The police conducted an exhaustive … of the premises but they failed to find any drugs.

6. … is a way of discovering what someone or something can do or is

like.

7. These figures in the contract are surprisingly high and they'll have to be ….

8. Customs had a suspicion that the certificate was a forgery, but on closer …, it seemed okay.

9. To … means to watch over at activity or job to make certain that it is done correctly.

10. If the inspector … on you and finds you've been falsifying your statements you're going to be in trouble.

11. The police are using an electronic … system to catch drivers who commit motoring offences.

IV. The lines in the following conversations are in the wrong order.

Rearrange them, then practice the conversations in pairs.

A

1. Customs officer: Please, put your overcoat and hand

baggage on the belt.

2. Passenger:

2. Customs officer:

2. Passenger:

2. Customs officer:

What about my hand bag?

Scissors, penknives, razor blades or anything else that's sharp.

Sorry, it must be my keys.

Could you empty your pockets? And take off your belt? Put them in this tray and walk through again. That's fine.

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6. Passenger:

6. Customs officer:

6. Passenger:

6. Customs officer:

Sorry. What does «sharp objects» mean?

Are there any sharp objects in your hand luggage?

No, there aren't any sharp objects.

Yes, that too. Please, walk trough the scanner. (Beep)

B

1.	Customs officer:	Could you remove your shoes?
2.	Passenger:	Sure.
3.	Customs officer:	That's fine. Sorry to have kept you.
4.	Passenger:	All right.
5.	Customs officer:	Can I just check trough your hand
		luggage?
6.	Passenger:	No problem.
7.	Customs officer:	Excuse me. Could you stand to the
		side?
8.	Passenger:	Of course.
9.	Customs officer:	Could you switch off your personal
		stereo?
10. Passenger:		Certainly.

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DO IT FOR FUN

I. Define the following Customs terms. Try to memorize them.

prohibited goods pallet

equivalent goods surety

bond fastening

office en route relief consignments

release stores

samples issuing association

money laundering

35. Fill in the table «False Friends». Consult the dictionary if necessary.

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61. Make up sentence with the given Russian phrases. Ask your partner to translate them into English.

IV. What is it that never «was», never «will be», and yet «is»?

V. Explain the meaning of the following proverb in English and translate it into Russian:

Actions speak louder than words.

VI. Learn the following poem by heart:

Tobacco is a filthy weed,

That from the devil does proceed;

It drains your purse, it burns your clothes

And makes a chimney of your nose.

B. Waterhouse¹

1. Benjamin Waterhouse (1754–1846) – an American physician and scientist, a pioneer in smallpox vaccination. He was the best-educated physician in Nortn America. In 1783 he formed the first faculty of the Harvard Medical School.

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UNIT 3. AT THE CUSTOMS

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

Customs-house

Customs-office

liable to duty

duty-free

duty-free quota list

prohibited articles list

to fall under restrictions

to declare something (at the Customs- house)

particulars

effects

personal effects

to go through one's luggage to smuggle

to pass through the Customs (inspection)

as the case might be

таможня

таможенное управление, таможня

подлежащий оплате таможенными пошлинами

не подлежащий оплате таможен-ными пошл нами

сп сок предметов, разрешенный к беспошлинному ввозу

список товаров, ввоз или вывоз

• торых запрещен подпадать под ограничения

сделать заявление о наличии вещей, облагаемых пошлиной ( их стои-мости, количестве, весе и т. д.)

необходимые сведения, подроб-

ности

движимое имущество

личные вещи

досматривать багаж заниматься контрабандой

пройти таможенный досмотр

в зависимости от обстоятельств

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Text 3.1. At the customs house

Every country has its own Customs regulations, which stipulate what articles are liable to duty and what are duty-free.

Sometimes an article which falls under Customs restrictions and is liable to duty is allowed in duty-free if the traveller does not exceed a certain fixed quota. These are listed in a duty-free quota list. Customs restrictions also include a prohibited articles list. This is a list of items which may not be brought into a country or taken out of it. An official paper (from the proper authorities) giving permission to take items, which fall under special Customs restrictions, in or out of a country is known as an import or export license.

If the traveller has any item which comes under Customs restrictions he is asked to declare it. That is, he is asked to name the item, stating its value and other particulars. The declaration is made either orally or in writing on a special form. The practice seems to vary in different countries. Upon payment of duty the traveller is given a receipt. As a rule personal effects are duty-free.

It sometimes happens that a passenger's luggage is carefully gone through in order to prevent smuggling. The formalities at the Customs-house usually take some time. Only after passing through the Customs one does realize that their journey is drawing to an end or beginning (as the case might be).

EXERCISES

I. Answer the following questions:

1. What are the duties of a Customs inspector?

2. What is the meaning of the question «Have you got anything to declare» one hears at the Customs-house so often?

3. What does the phrase «I have nothing to declare» mean?

4. Do Customs restrictions vary in different countries?

5. Have you ever gone through a Customs inspection? If so share your experience.

6. What is a duty-free item?

7. What do we mean by saying that something is an item liable to duty?

8. Why is smuggling punishable by law?

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9. What does the Customs Inspected stamp stand for?

10. Can you name some of the «personal effects» one usually takes along on a journey?

35. Match the words on the left with their corresponding definitions on the right.

1. duty-free goods a. to make known publicly or officially,

according to rules, customs, etc.; to make a full statement of property

2. to declare b. responsible , esp. in law for paying for

something

3. effects (pl.) c. the cases, bags ,boxes, etc. of a

traveler

4. to smuggle d. the dividing line between two

countries

5. restrictions e. things you can buy at airports or on

ships without paying the full price because there is no tax on them

6. tariff f. belongings, personal property

7. liable g. to take (esp. goods) from one country

to another illegally

8. border h. a tax collected by a government,

usually on goods coming into a country

9. luggage i. the worth of something in money or as

compared with other goods

10. value j. rules or laws that strictly control what

you are allowed to do

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III. Give English equivalents for:

попадать под ограничения, осматривать (багаж), заниматься контрабандой, таможенный сбор, таможенная декларация, тамо-женное управление, личные вещи, пройти таможенный досмотр, таможенные правила, таможенные ограничения.

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

to pay an excess

baggage charge

a conveyor belt

a boarding pass

to go through the

security check

carry-on luggage

плат ть за злишек,

превышен е (багажа)

ленточный транспортер

• садочный талон

• йти проверку безопасности ручная кладь

Text 3.2. At the airport

Pat arrived at the airport two hours ago to catch her plane to Tokyo. Her baggage was too heavy, so she took a trolley (a small vehicle with two or four wheels that you push or pull to transport large or heavy objects on). Baggage trolleys are provided in the reclaim hall and other key areas in the terminal building, car parks, rail station and coach station. They are operated using a coin deposit system. You will need a £1 or €1, which is refunded when the trolley is returned.

At the check-in-counter, a ticket agent looked at her ticket and her passport and her baggage was checked in (weighted on the scales). Pat's suitcases were very heavy, so she had to pay an excess baggage charge (amount of money for additional weight). After check-in the marked

64

baggage is put on the conveyor belt (a continuous moving piece of rubber or metal used to transport objects from one place to another) to be loaded into the hold of the airplane.

Next she was given a boarding pass (a ticket that allows her to get on the plane). The boarding pass has a seat number written on it, and Pat was given a window seat in the non-smoking section.

Tips for travelers

• Once your travel plans are confirmed, check the expiration date of your passport.

• Make photocopies of the data page.

• Leave one copy with someone at home and keep another with you, separated from your passport.

• If you lose your passport, promptly call the nearest embassy or consulate and the local police; having a copy of the data page can speed replacement.

• When shopping, keep receipts for all of your purchases. Upon reentering the country, be ready to show Customs officials what you've bought.

While waiting for the flight to be announced, Pat goes to the newsstand to buy a newspaper. Then she goes through the security check, where her carry -on luggage (the bags she is keeping with her on the plane) is searched. Then Pat goes into the duty-free shop where she has a chance to buy some things cheaply. The goods she buys here are cheap because they are not taxed.

In the departure lounge Pat joins the other passengers who are sitting and waiting until it is time for their flight to depart. After a few minutes Pat hears the announcement: Flight 215 to Tokyo now boarding at Gate Four, and she goes to board (get on) her plane.

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I. Fill in the gaps to make the sentences complete.

1. When you arrive at the airport you first go to the ... counter.

2. You have to have a ... pass so that you can get on the plane.

3. After the security check, you wait in the ... lounge.

4. You can buy many things cheaply at the ... shop.

5. When you hear the announcement, you go to the ... to board your plane.

35. Fill in the table giving English and Russian equivalents to the following words.

check -in-counter

Билет

Багаж

Излишек, превышение (багажа)

load (v)

Тележка

hold (n)

Посадочный талон

departure lounge

Магазин беспошлинн й рг вли

gate

conveyor belt

Весы

to check in

Объявление

security check

carry-on luggage

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

I. Supply prepositions or adverbs where necessary.

1. It is the porters who always carry the passenger's luggage … the hold of a ship or … the luggage-van of a train … the Customs-house … an inspection.

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2. This is duty-free according … our Customs regulations.

3. Do you know whether there are any restrictions … imported cameras in this country?

2. Personal effects are usually duty-free if one does not exceed … a certain quota.

3. In a number of countries furs do not fall … Customs restrictions.

4. Customs duties are taxed both … imported as well as exported goods.

35. The following statements are grammatically incorrect. Find the mistakes and correct them.

1. On the Customs-house a passenger's luggage are carefully gone into Customs inspectors. (3 mistakes)

2. Sometimes Customs inspector carefully search under the passenger's belongings to prevent smuggling. (2 mistakes)

3. There are a 150 % duty about this article. (2 mistakes)

4. As soon as one's luggage cleared the Customs, special stamps are pasted onto it. (2 mistakes)

5. It took me about two hour to go through all the formalities on the Customs-house. (2 mistakes)

пошлин й.

3. У меня нет вещей, подлежащих декларированию.

4. Я не знал, что на эти предметы распространяются таможенные огранич ния.

3. Эти предметы подлежат таможенному обложению в размере 100 проц нтов их стоимости.

3. При переезде через границу вы обязаны заявить об имею-щейся у вас на руках иностранной валюте.

4. Я вас прошу как можно скорее осмотреть мой багаж. Мой самолет вылетает через час.

3. Вот лицензия Министерства торговли на вывоз этого аппарата.

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IV. Match the phrases (1–10) with their definitions (a–j).

On arrival in most countries as a foreigner you have to show your passport, (1) a landing card and often (2) a Customs declaration form. You may need a visa and (3) a vaccination certificate, depending on the

4. entry restrictions. Customs carry out (5) spot checks / random checks on a person's luggage. They use (6) sniffer dogs to search for drugs and explosives. In most cases, you have to (7) clear Customs at the (8) port of entry. Genuine refugees may try to seek (9) political asylum. Customs officers also look out for illegal immigrants, some of whom may be (10) economic migrants.

a. form showing how much money and what goods you are carrying

b. permission to stay in another country to avoid political persecution back home

c. people who try to enter from poorer countries just to get work

d. take your bags through Customs

e. form with your personal details and date of arrival

f. rules about who can enter a country and for how long

g. paper proving you have had the necessary health injections

h. checks done without warning

i. the port or airport where you first enter a country

j. specially trained dogs who can smell drugs and bombs

V. Rewrite the sentences using phrases and collocations from the above exercise instead of the underlined words.

1. You'll have to show a paper proving that you have had injections for tropical diseases when you enter the country.

2. People entering from war-torn countries often ask for permission to stay to avoid political oppression in their own country.

3. You have to take your baggage through Customs if you arrive on an international flight at San Francisco airport, even if you are flying on within the USA.

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4. You have to fill in a paper saying how much money you're bringing into the country before going through Customs control.

4. Some of the people were people who were poor and travelling hoping to find jobs, rather than genuine political refugees.

5. Passenger to airline cabin attendant: Could you give me one of those papers for filling in my passport number and personal details

before we arrive, please?

7. At the airport the security guards had those special dogs that can smell drugs.

7. You'll need a visa; the rules about who can enter the country are very strict.

8. You have to fill in the city where you first entered the country in this box here.

7. Customs carry out checks done without warning.

VI. Act as an interpreter. Roleplay the conversation.

AT THE CUSTOMS

Rachel: Andy, it's my first time at the airport. Do you

know which way to go?

Энди: Да, нам нужно сюда. Вначале мы должны

прой и аможню.

Rachel: What does this procedure involve?

Энди: В неё входят регистрация и паспортный

контроль. Во время регистрации мы должны сдать наш багаж.

Rachel: All of our luggage?

Энди: Нет, только тяжелые сумки, которые нельзя

брать с собой на борт. А вот и стойка регистрации. Давай займем очередь.

Рэйчел: Кажется, чтобы пройти её, нужно много

времени.

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Энди:

Rachel:

Дежурный по посадке:

Rachel:

Дежурный по посадке:

Рэйчел:

Дежурный по посадке:

Энди:

Дежурный по посадке:

Andy:

Дежурный

• садке:

Rachel:

Энди:

Таможенный офицер:

Rachel:

Нет. Регистрация обычно проходит быстро.

Пять минут и мы уже у стойки.

Oh, it's already our turn.

Это Ваш багаж, мэм?

Yes.

Здесь небольшой перевес. Вам нужно будет внести дополнительную плату за него. Можно мне взглянуть на Вашу ручную кладь?

Вот она.

Учтите, что лишьжидкие и острые предметы с собой пронос ть нельзя. Они запрещены на борту. Сэр, а у Вас есть ручная кладь?

Нет,всего мой ноутбук. Вот наши _электрнные билеты и паспорта.

Вы хо ели бы места у окна или на проходе? Window seat would be better.

Вот, держите. Точное время вылета и выход на посадку указаны в билетах.

Thank you!

• теперь нам нужно пройти паспортный контроль. Он на втором этаже.

Могу ли я взглянуть на Ваш паспорт, мэм? Yes, of course. Here it is.

70

Таможенный офицер:

Рэйчел:

Таможенный офицер:

Rachel:

Таможенный офицер:

Rachel:

Таможенный офицер:

Rachel:

Энди:

Rachel:

Энди:

Рэйчел:

Какова цель Вашего визита?

• – турист. Я еду на пляжный отдых, а также хочу посмотреть на достопримечательности Тайланда.

Как долго Вы намерены пробыть там?

Just for a couple of weeks.

Хорошо. Это Ваш первый визит в Тайланд? Yes, and my firstудачнойtimeatthe airport too.

В таком случае Вам поездки!

Thanks!

Ну, как все прошло?

It was quick and easy. What's next?

Мы уже на полпути. Теперь нам нужно просто пройти через специальный коридор, где офицеры проверяют ручную кладь. После этой процедуры мы попадем в зал вылета, где сможем перекусить или просто отдохнуть перед полетом.

Отлично! Я бы хотела выпить горячего чая и почитать свою новую книжку.

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IX. Find the odd ones out.

The declarant is normally required to declare the following items:

• name and address of consignor

• name and address of declarant

• name and postal address of consignee

• mode of transport

• identification of means of transport

• photo of containers

• seals,etc., affixed

• place of loading

• driver's licence

• office of destination

• transport-unit (type, identification No.)

• declarant's telephone number

• marks, numbers; numbers and kind of packages

• description of goods

• gross weight per consignment in kilos

• declarant's passport

• list of documents attached

• place, date and signature of declarant

X. You are a participant of an international conference devoted to the issues of Customs control, based on the dual-channel system. These are the questions you are going to ask. In order to take complete advantage of your attendance at the conference, translate the questions.

3. Существуют ли какие-либо 7. По предъявлении какого

определенные инструкции по за- документа эти вещи выдаются?

полнению въездной или выезд-

ной декларации?

4. Что именно должен пасса- 8. Какие вопросы может за-

жир указать в декларации? дать таможенный инспектор

пассажиру, проходящему тамо-

женный контроль?

After the conference you have to write a report. Unfortunately you have dropped all your notes on the floor. Collect your notes by matching the questions (1–8) with their appropriate answers (a–h).

75

d. The Customs officer may ask the passenger to open, unpack and repack his belongings for inspection. And the owner of the luggage is obliged to answer all the questions on the contents of his luggage and present any article for Customs examination.

h. Yes, certainly. All the points of the declaration should be answered in full words and in block letters.

DO IT FOR FUN

I. Read the definitions. Supply the missing letters to each word.

1. a large frame, used for storing or p a t

carrying heavy things

2. a small amount of something that gives _ a m p _ e

you information about the thing it was taken from.

3. when money that has been obtained _ o n _ y-l a _n _ e r i _ g illegally is put into legal businesses or bank accounts in different countries, so

that it is difficult for people to discover where it came from

4. tax paid on goods coming into the country

4. the amount of products you can take across the border on the way back to your country without having to declare them, and therefore without having to pay

(2 words)

4. goods that are brought into a country illegally, especially to avoid tax

_ _ t _

c _ s t _ _ s

a _ _ o w _ n _ e

_ o n _ _ a b _ n _

7. not allowed by the law _ _ l _ g _ _

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35. Make up sentence with the given Russian phrases. Ask your partner to translate them into English.

61. Fill in the table «False Friends». Consult the dictionary if necessary.

77

IV. A Joke

Customer: Remember that cheese you served me?

Waiter: Yes, sir.

Customer: Did you say it was imported or deported from Switzerland?

V. Find the following hidden words in the word search.

PROPERTY STOCK

EFFECTS POSSESSIONS

CHATTELS COMMODITIES

THINGS BELONGINGS

GOODS PARAPHERNALIA

GEAR MERCHANDISE

WARES

78

UNIT 4. CUSTOMS PROCEDURES

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

incentive стимул, побуждение

to neutralize the cost-raising нейтрализовать повышение effects of tariffs and other стоимости в результате введе-

controls ния тарифов и других регули-

рующих мер

scarce недостаточный, скудный

foreign exchange ностранная валюта

to evince [ɪˈvɪns] п оявлять

goods in free circulation товары в свободном обращении

to dispose of распорядиться

to designate определять, обозначать;

указывать

a Customs warehouse таможенный склад

temporary admission временный ввоз

depreciation [dɪpriːʃɪˈeɪʃn] амортизация, изнашивание

inward processing переработка на таможенной тер-

ритории

outward processing переработка вне таможенной тер-

ритории

free zone свободная зона

insofar в том что …

pending subsequent disposal в ожидании последующей ути-

лизации

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Text 4.1. Export incentives

A Customs procedure can be defined as treatment applied by the Customs to goods which are subject to Customs control.¹

There are several Customs procedures, contained in the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Kyoto convention), which when incorporated in national legislation enable countries to provide Customs facilities to neutralize the cost-raising effects of tariffs and other controls on export industries. It allows national enterprises to offer their products or services on foreign markets at competitive prices. Consequently, more employment opportunities are provided for the national labour force, scarce foreign capital is attracted to generate more economic activity and net inflows of foreign exchange are evinced.

A brief description of the Customs procedures which provide these incentives is given below.²

Outright exportation is the Customs procedure applicable to goods which, being in free circulation (goods which may be disposed of without Customs restriction), leave the Customs territory and are intended to remain permanently outside it, excluding goods exported or with repayment of import duties and taxes.

Customs warehousing is the Customs procedure under which imported goods are stored under Customs control in a designated place (a Customs warehouse) without payment of import duties and taxes.

Temporary admission of goods is the procedure under which certain goods can be brought into a Customs territory conditionally relieved from payment of import duties and taxes; such goods must be imported for a specific purpose and must be intended for re -exportation within a specified period and without having undergone any change except normal depreciation due to the use of the goods.

Re-exportation is exportation from a Customs territory of goods previously imported into that territory.

Inward processing is the procedure under which certain goods can be brought into a Customs territory conditionally relieved from payment

1. The Glossary of international Customs terms.

2. All the definitions are taken from the Revised Kyoto convention.

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of import duties and taxes on the basis that such goods are intended for manufacturing, processing or repair and subsequent exportation.

Outward processing is the procedure under which goods in free circulation in a Customs territory may be temporarily exported for manufacturing, processing or repair abroad and then re-imported with total or partial exemption from import duties and taxes.

Free zones. A free zone is a part of the territory of a state where any goods introduced are generally regarded, insofar as import duties and taxes are concerned, as being outside the Customs territory and are not subject to the usual Customs control.

In commercial free zones, goods are admitted pending subsequent disposal, and processing or manufacture is normally prohibited. Goods admitted to industrial free zones may be subjected to authorized processing operations.

EXERCISES

I. Answer the following questions.

1. What is the Kyoto Convention devoted to?

2. What does the Kyoto Convention enable countries to do?

3. What opportunities are provided by the Kyoto Convention?

4. What procedure is applicable to goods which are intended to remain permanently outside the Customs territory?

5. Are import duties and taxes paid for the goods stored under Customs control?

6. What are the conditions under which goods brought into a country can be relieved from payment of import duties?

7. What happens to goods that are temporarily exported?

8. What are free zones?

9. What is the difference between commercial and industrial free zones?

II. Find the words/phrases in the text which follow the verbs below.

1. to incorporate

3. to neutralize

5. To store

7. to undergo

2. to provide

4. To remain

6. to relieve

8. to dispose

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Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

clearance for home use				выпуск товаров для внутреннего
				потребления/свободного обраще-
				ния
goods for home use or			товары для внутреннего потреб-
consumption				ления
warehousing				звести
				склад рование, хранение на складе
to obtain the clearance of goods			п о		выпуск товаров
the lodgement of a Goods			предъявление грузовой деклара-
declaration				ции
Supporting / accompanying				сопроводительные документы
documents
to defer [dɪˈfəː]				откладывать, отсрочивать
import licence				лицензия на импорт
certificate of origin				свидетельство о происхождении
				товара
security				гарантия
assessment of duties and taxes			начисление таможенных пошлин
				и сборов
release of goods				выпуск товаров
statutory	[ˈstætjʊtərɪ]	or		законодательное или регулирую-
regulatory provision				щее положение

82

veterinary [ˈvetərɪnərɪ] ветеринарный

phytosanitary [faɪtəzænɪˈteərɪ] фитосанитарный

mode of transport вид транспорта

TEXT 4.2. CLEARANCE FOR HOME USE (Excerpts from Kyoto Convention. Specific Annex B.1 concerning Clearance for home use)

Goods which are imported outright for use or consumption within the Customs territory must be declared for home use. They may be declared for home use either directly on importation or after another Customs procedure such as warehousing, temporary admission or Customs transit.

The main obligations to be fulfilled by the declarant to obtain the clearance of goods for home use are the lodgement of a goods declaration with supporting documents (import licence, certificates of origin, etc.) and the payment of any import duties and taxes chargeable. Under certain conditions the payment of import duties and taxes may be deferred. Where appropriate, security may be required by Customs to guarantee payment of the import duties and taxes.

The measures taken by Customs in connection with clearance are: checking of the goods declaration and accompanying documents, examination of the goods, assessment and collection of import duties and taxes and release of the goods. Depending upon national administrative practice, these operations may be carried out in a different order from that shown above. Customs may also be responsible for obtaining the data required for trade statistics and for the enforcement of other statutory or regulatory provisions relating to the control of imported goods. Other competent authorities may also carry out certain controls (veterinary, health, phytosanitary, etc.) on goods declared for home use.

National legislation shall specify the conditions to be fulfilled and the Customs formalities to be accomplished for the clearance of goods for home use. National legislation may include prohibitions and restrictions in respect of the importation of certain categories of goods.

The Customs authorities shall designate the Customs offices at which goods may be cleared for home use.

83

In determining the competence of these offices and their hours of business, the factor to be taken into account shall include the particular requirements of trade and industry.

The competence of certain Customs offices may be restricted in terms of the mode of transport used or to specified categories of goods or to goods consigned to a specified region (e.g. the frontier zone or an industrial zone).

The Customs authorities may require that certain categories of goods (e.g. diamonds, antiques, works of art) be cleared for home use at Customs offices designated for that purpose.

Where corresponding Customs offices are located on a common frontier, the Customs authorities of the two countries concerned shall, as far as possible, correlate the business hours and the competence of those offices.

Exercises

I. Find the words in the text which correspond to the following definitions.

1. using up, consuming (of food, materials, etc.);

2. storing goods before distribution to retailers;

3. a person, who makes a statement (to Customs officials) of dutiable goods brought into a country;

4. act of placing a document with proper authorities;

5. to appoint, to name for an office or duty;

6. to bring (a thing) into mutual relation (with another thing);

7. ability, skill, qualification.

35. Match the nouns on the left with those on the right to make a word/phrase combination taken from the text. Consult the text.

A

1. assessment of a. statutory or regulatory provision

2. release of b. industry

3. clearance of c. a Goods declaration

4. enforcement of d. import duties

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5. competence of e. goods

6. requirements of f. offices

7. certificates of g. taxes

8. payment of h. trade

9. lodgement of i. origin

В

Ask questions to elicit the underlined information.

1. In order to obtain the clearance of goods the declarant is to present a Goods declaration with supporting documents.

2. Under certain conditions the payment of import duties and taxes may be deferred.

3. Among measures taken by Customs in connection with clearance are: assessment of import duties and taxes and release of the goods.

4. Certain data is required for the enforcement of statutory or regulatory provisions.

5. The Customs authorities determine the competence of the Customs offices at which goods may be cleared for home use.

6. The particular requirements of trade and industry should also be taken into account to determine the competence of these offices.

7. The declarant should present the certificates of origin in order to obtain the release of the goods.

8. The lodgement of a Goods declaration is the essential requirement to be fulfilled to get the clearance.

III. Find the odd ones out.

a. Customs procedures are:

1. warehousing;

2. enforcement of regulatory provisions;

3. lodgement of a goods declaration;

4. Customs transit;

5. temporary admission;

6. payment of duties and taxes;

7. determining the competence of the offices;

8. clearance for home use.

85

b. The measures taken in connection with clearance are the following:

1. examination of the goods;

2. release of the goods;

3. revenue collection;

4. assessment of import duties and taxes;

5. collection of duties and taxes;

6. determining the competence of the offices;

7. considering requirements of trade and industry;

8. checking of the goods declaration;

9. filling in a declaration;

10. checking the accompanying documents;

11. obtaining the data required for trade statistics;

12. consumption of goods;

13. veterinary control;

14. health control;

15. phytopathological control.

IV. The infinitive can be used as an attribute. Fill in the right infinitive. Choose from the list below.

1. National legislation shall specify the conditions … and the Customs formalities … for the clearance of goods for home use.

2. The factors … shall include the particular requirements of trade and industry.

3. Goods … for use or consumption must be declared for home use.

4. The Customs authorities shall designate the Customs offices … goods for home use.

5. There are certain categories of goods … at Customs offices designated for that purpose.

6. Security … payment of the import duties and taxes may be required by the Customs.

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7. The main measures … in connection with clearance are the following.

7. National legislation may include restrictions … the importation of certain goods.

8. There are other competent authorities … certain controls on goods declared for home use.

9. It is the Customs responsibility … the data required for trade statistics.

V. Change the following verbs to nouns by adding one of the given endings and fill in the table below.

VI. Translate into English.

1. Какие обязательс ва должен выполнить декларант в целях выпуска товара для внутреннего потребления?

2. Какие документы должны быть приложены к грузовой дек-ларации при ее п даче?

3. При каких бстоятельствах могут быть отсрочены таможен-

_ныелатежи?

4. Что могут потребовать таможенные власти для обеспечения гарантии выплат импортных пошлин и сборов?

5. Какие меры принимаются таможней в связи с выпуском товаров?

6. Какие ограничения и запреты могут быть в национальном законодательстве в отношении импорта товаров?

7. Какие требования принимаются во внимание таможенными властями при определении тех таможенных постов, которые могут производить выпуск товара для внутреннего потребления?

87

8. Чем может быть ограничен круг обязанностей таможенных постов?

8. Где могут проходить таможенную очистку для реализации на внутреннем рынке определенные категории товаров, такие как предметы искусства, антиквариат, бриллианты и т. д.?

9. Как могут сотрудничать расположенные на одной границе таможенные посты двух стран?

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

facility

to dispose of

entrepôt (fr.) [ˈɔntrəpəu]

to render tertiary [ˈtɜːʃərɪ] to satisfy

to fall short of targeted output

to incur [ɪnˈkɜː]

благопр ятное условие, льгота аспо яд ться

склад, пе евалочный пункт (для тран-зитных грузов)

казывать

ретичный

выполнять

отставать от целевой мощности / про-

изводительности

подвергаться

Text 4.3. Customs warehouses

The Customs warehousing procedure is a procedure under which imported goods are stored under Customs control in a designated place (a Customs warehouse) without payment of Customs duties and taxes¹. It is a facility granted to those involved in external trade. Participants of foreign economic activity can place their goods temporarily in Customs

1. Kyoto Convention. Specific Annex E.3 concerning Customs warehouses.

88

warehouses without the application of economic restrictions and prohibitions until the manner in which the goods are to be disposed of is finally decided.

The Customs warehousing procedure can be utilized to develop a country's entrepôt trade. Goods can be imported for storage in warehouses and re-exported in the same state without the payment of duties and taxes. They are normally without being subjected to import or export licensing requirements. Operations permitted in a Customs warehouse are those required to improve the packaging and marketable quality of the goods and to prepare them for shipment. Such operations include repacking, sorting and grading, breaking bulk, grouping of packages, and operations intended to keep the goods in the same state.

Entrepôt trade operations provide employment opportunities. They are also a means of earning foreign exchange when payments are received for handling and similar services rendered at these warehouses, and for other tertiary services provided, such as transport. An additional advantage is that an importer/exporter can keep his goods in the country until he can re-negotiate sales abroad on more favourable terms. This is particularly the case when persons using this warehousing facility import goods in bulk, at discounted prices, and re-export such goods in similar quantities at higher prices. Such entrepôt trade is only possible if there is exemption from the payment of duties and taxes and from import/export licensing, as it is available under the warehousing procedure.

In certain instances, exporters are permitted to use the warehousing facility to combine domestic goods with identical imported goods so that a single export order can be satisfied. For this purpose, firms import goods from their subsidiaries which are located abroad, or from establishments in other countries which produce or manufacture goods for them under contract. Thus, when domestic production falls short of targeted output, goods can be imported to meet contractual export obligations without incurring duty or other liabilities. This does not, however, apply in cases where the origin of goods is a consideration to satisfy quota or tariff requirements.

The Customs warehousing procedure can be used to promote transshipment operations; this again enables a country to earn foreign exchange for the service provided.

The warehousing procedure can also be used to assist manufacturers in processing goods for export.

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EXERCISES

I. Answer the following questions.

1. What are the advantages of placing goods temporarily in Customs warehouses?

2. What operations are permitted in a Customs warehouse?

3. Are operations intended to keep the goods in the same state permitted in a Customs warehouse?

4. Who is interested in entrepôt trade operations?

5. What are exporters permitted to use the warehousing facility for?

6. Are exporters permitted to use the warehousing facility to combine domestic goods with imported goods?

7. Can warehousing procedure be used to promote transshipment operations?

II. Find the words/phrases in the text which follow the verbs below.

1. to store 7. to render

2. to grant 8. to negotiate

3. to be subjected 9. to import

4. to keep 10. to combine

5. to provide 11. to satisfy

6. to earn 12. to meet

13. to promote

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Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

transshipment перевалка, перегрузка

storage хранение

to perform operations выполнять операции

manufacturing производство;

processing переработка

assembly сборка

goods of domestic origin товары местного производства

to enjoy the right пользоваться правом

to contradict противоречить

Text 4.4. Free zones

With a view to encouraging the development of their international commerce, governments in many countries are looking for new mechanisms of foreign investments into domestic economies. They grant relief from import duties and taxes and provide other concessions in respect of goods introduced to a part of their territory which is generally regarded as being outside the Customs territory¹. This part of the territory is referred to as a free zone. Free Economic Zones (FEZ) are territories where domestic and foreign investors can carry out entrepreneurial activities on preferential terms.

Customs-privileged facilities afford to neutralize the cost-raising effects of tariffs and other regulatory measures in the operation of export-related activities. Free zones serve the purpose of facilitating the operation of import-dependent export activities by instituting procedures which are simpler than other temporary admission procedures, thereby significantly reducing costly and cumbersome administrative requirements.

Free zones are established by making formal provision in national legislation. As a rule FEZ are formed on the initiative of local authorities with the permission of the central government of the country. Free zones are generally established at seaports, river ports, airports and places with similar geographical advantages. Their main objective is to provide more favourable conditions for the development of foreign economic links.

1. Kyoto Convention. Specific Annex F.1 concerning free zones.

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Easy access to places of entry and exit within the country eliminates the need for goods to cross the Customs territory, thereby reducing the need to apply the usual Customs controls. However, due to the location of certain free zones it may be necessary for goods to be moved across the Customs territory when travelling to/from free zones, from/to seaports, airports or land frontiers (rail and road traffic). In such situations, goods can be permitted to move under a national or international transit procedure.

Free zones may cover the entire port area where several commercial activities are permitted.

Generally, a distinction is made between commercial and industrial free zones. In commercial free zones, the permitted operations are those necessary for the preservation of goods and the usual forms of handling to improve their packaging or marketable quality. Operations which prepare the goods for shipment, such as breaking bulk, grouping of packages, sorting, grading and re -packing, may be undertaken. Other operations in connection with the transport of goods, such as loading, unloading, transshipment and storage, may also be performed in commercial free zones. In industrial free zones, manufacturing, processing or assembly operations are performed with goods being imported for these purposes. Goods of domestic origin or in free circulation in the Customs territory may be allowed into free zones for manufacturing, processing and assembly. In certain countries, the commercial and industrial activities are combined in the same free zone.

Being an integral part of the territory of the country, a free economic zone enjoys the main right to define its social and economic policy independently if this does not contradict the rules and laws of the country. It means that the authorities of the zone can regulate export-import transactions, set the order of entry, exit and stay for foreign citizens on its territory, establish direct economic and cultural links.

The following six FEZ have been created on the territory of the Republic of Belarus: «Brest», «Vitebsk», «Gomel-Raton», «Grodnoinvest», «Mogilev» and «Minsk».

Apart from enhancing the development of a country's external trade and commerce, the Belarusian free zones are viewed as an effective means of attracting export-oriented industries which are expected to provide investable resources, technology and employment to our country.

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Exercises

I. Match the words from the text with their corresponding definitions

1. to facilitate a. fit to be sold

2. cumbersome b. by that means, in that connection

3. relief from c. independently, leaving on one side

4. marketable d. remove, get rid of

5. apart from e. benefit

6. advantage f. complete, full

7. to eliminate g. inconvenient, clumsy

8. thereby h. help, ease

9. entire i. setting free from obligation, duty

35. Translate into English.

1. по инициативе местных 6. кисовременные достижения науки

властейтехн

2. с разрешения централь- 7. егул ровать экспортно-импорт-

ного правительстваные операции

3. обеспечить наиболее бла- 8. установить порядок въезда, вы-

III. Match left to the right to make a word/phrase combination.

1. to establish a. relief from import duties and taxes

2. to reduce b. development

3. to grant c. technology and employment

4. to improve d. free zones

5. to enhance e. the cost-raising effects of tariffs

6. to attract f. administrative requirements

7. to provide g. marketable quality

8. to neutralize h. export-oriented industries

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IV. Find the odd ones out.

A. Free zones are supposed:

6. to encourage the develop- 12. to deliver goods to foreign partners ment of external trade and

international commerce

B. In commercial free zones, the permitted operations are:

1. breaking bulk 8. re-packing

2. grouping of packages 9. constructing

3. transit 10. loading

4. sorting 11. transshipment

5. checking up 12. smuggling

6. marketing 13. storage

7. grading

C. In industrial free zones, the following operations are

performed:

1. sale 5. processing

2. manufacturing 6. assembly

3. assessment 7. packaging

4. loading

V. Find the noun constructions in the text corresponding to the following definitions.

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2. facilities that have some 5. procedures that are used during

Customs privileges admission

3. activities that are related 6. industries that are oriented towards

to export export

VI. Translate into English.

1. Для чего создаются свободные зоны?

2. Каким путем промышленные свободные зоны способствуют развитию внешней торговли страны?

3. Как можно нейтрализовать повышение стоимости в результате введения тарифов и других регулирующих средств?

4. Какие процедуры могут значительно сократить дорогостоящие административные требования?

5. Почему некоторые страны дают освобождение от уплаты таможенных пошлин и сборов?

6. В какой свободной зоне можно улучш ть товарные качества?

7. Почему свободные зоны рассматр ваются как эффективное средство размещения отраслей п омышленности, ориентированных на экспорт?

8. Что может обеспечить занятость и усовершенствовать тех-нологию в принимающей с ране?

Follow-up activities

I. Mark the following statements true (T) or false (F). Give your reasons. If the statement is false, give the correct statement.

1. Free economic zones are enclosed areas which are considered outside Customs territory and in which duties on merchandise are deferred, reduced or, in some cases, eliminated. Domestic and foreign merchandise can be brought into a FEZ for the purpose of storage, manufacturing, assembly, salvage, re-packing, repair, re-export, transshipping, exhibit and other operations. Customs duty on products manufactured, assembled or processed in FEZ excludes labour, facility and overhead costs as well as profit.

2. In Belarus the owners of Customs warehouses are licensed by the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus. They must pass an

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examination and obtain a licence from the Personnel Department to do business. The owners of Customs warehouses are to consult with Customs to determine the proper rate of duty or basis for appraisement. They are required to maintain strict confidence about business and transactions.

3. A warehouse is primarily used for the receipt, temporary storage and distribution of goods en route from the production site to the point of consumption. Companies may have their own private warehouses, use public warehouses or use contract warehousing. A public warehouse is one that is managed by the state and which offers rental space on a long-term basis.

4. In general, warehouses do not do basic manufacturing, handle hazardous materials (except in special circumstances) or store goods for extended periods of time (dead storage). Usually services provided by warehouses include storage, shipping, receiving, assembly, inventory control, «pick and pack» operations, labelling, export packaging, re-packing, handling returns, special packaging, disposal of damaged goods, repair of damaged goods, return of damaged goods, trucking, billing, order formulation and high security areas.

3. Customs officers and employees may not only offer advice and assistance but also act as brokers for importers and forwarders.

4. Duty must be paid immediately on goods «entered for consumption». Most duties in Belarus are a percentage of the invoiced value of the shipment and are collected by the Belarusian Customs Service. Customs should be contacted before goods are sent to the country to determine if other government agencies regulate the products to be imported. Goods that do not conform to the regulation of these agencies may be seized by Customs.

II. Insert the right words. Choose from the list below.

importers Customs officials

duties storage charges

bonded warehouse

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Bonded warehouse

1. usually have to pay (2) to the government when they import goods. They declare the goods and the (3) collect the duty. When the importer doesn't pay the (4) immediately, the goods are stored in a (5). The importer has to pay (6) – the cost of keeping the goods in the warehouse and the importer can't take the goods out of the (7) until he pays the (8).

61. Study the following extract from the EC Customs Code. Translate it into Russian. Discuss with your classmates if the differentiation described is the same in the Customs Code of the Customs Union.

«...Customs-approved treatment or use of goods» means:

1. the placing of goods under a Customs procedure;

2. their entry;

3. their re-exportation;

4. their destruction;

5. their abandonment to the Exchequer.

«Customs procedure» means:

1. release of goods;

2. transit;

3. Customs warehousing;

4. inward processing;

5. processing under Customs control;

6. temporary admission;

7. outward processing;

8. exportation ...

IV. Punctuate the following texts.

Text 1

(Excerpts from Kyoto Convention. Specific Annex E.3

concerning Customs warehouses)

Customs warehouse may be either a public warehouse or a private warehouse «public warehouse» means a Customs warehouse available for use by any person for the warehousing of goods «private warehouse» means a Customs warehouse reserved for the warehousing of goods by the warehousekeeper the warehousekeeper is the person authorized to operate the Customs warehouse the depositor is the person bound by the

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declaration placing the goods under the Customs warehousing procedure or to whom the rights and obligations of such a person have been transferred operation of a Customs warehouse is subject to the issue of an authorization by the Customs authorities unless the said authorities operate the Customs warehouse themselves any person wishing to operate a Customs warehouse must make a request in writing containing the information required for granting the authorization in particular demonstrating that an economic need for warehousing exists.

Text 2

Where the purpose of the processing operation is the repair of temporary exported goods and such repair is carried out in return for payment the partial relief from import duties is granted by establishing the amount of duties applicable on the basis of the taxation elements pertaining to the compensating products on the date of acceptance of the declaration of release for free circulation of those products and taking into account as the Customs value an amount equal to the repair costs provided that those costs represent the only consideration provided by the holder of the authorization and are not influenced by any links between that holder and the operator.

V. Finish the two sentences:

1. «Supervision by the Customs authorities» means...

2. «Control by the Customs authorities» means...

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VI. Read the following text. The first sentence in the text is missing. Choose the appropriate sentence among the options (1-4) given after the text.

A very large element of this problem is the difficulty in identifying the consignments for what they are, as it is possible to describe them in numerous ways. Having identified one chemical the examining officer is faced with the use of numerous synonyms for the same product. For example, ether which is used in the production of both heroin and cocaine, has 21 other names across Europe alone.

1. It is generally agreed that modern Customs administrations have two main tasks.

2. Access to knowledge and importation is not only a right, it is a necessity in all fields of activity.

3. The World Customs Organization in Brussels recognizes that Customs Services worldwide have a very important role in the efforts to combat diversion of drug-associated chemicals.

4. Customs administrations need to maintain the appropriate balance between facilitating legitimate trade and travel while ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations they enforce.

VII. Translate into Russian in written form.

1. The focus of Customs administrations worldwide is one of greater facilitation for the legitimate movement of trade and people. On the other hand, there are increasing demands for greater community protection from ordinary citizens and we have an important and continuing role to play in this regard.

2. We live in a world of continuous change – dynamic, inevitable and unpredictable. In this ever-changing environment, all players in the Customs and trade community need to be outwardly focused and prepared to continually reform and modernize the way they do business.

VIII. Insert the right words. Choose from the list below.

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1. There is a 15 % discount on all electrical … until the end of the month.

2. The country's most valuable … include oil and diamonds.

3. Shoppers complained about poor quality … and high prices.

4. There are several … on the table which belong to me.

5. A… of urgent medical supply is expected to arrive very soon.

6. This aircraft is for passengers only, it doesn't take any…

7. It says on the form that insurance covers all personal …

8. She put a few personal … in a bag and left the house.

9. The company must do more to promote their … overseas.

10. This railway line is used mainly by … trains.

IX. Speculate about the following.

1. Will the level of checking goods at the time of entry and exit be reduced under the post clearance system?

2. How will controls carried out on the basis of risk assessment help to facilitate trade?

3. Is Belarus an «importing country» or an «export-oriented country»?

4. Is Customs duty the main source of revenue for the Belarusian Government?

5. Are all Customs well equipped to reach the dual objectives of exercising efficient control and keeping trade moving as fast and smoothly as possible?

6. Are most of international transit operations still monitored by Customs officials using only paper documents?

7. Has the Belarusian Customs Service developed a comprehensive automated system of pricing information as part of its risk assessment strategy to target declarations for verification?

X. Study the following information. Then fill in the table below with the correct items under the different headings.

Visible export is the export of physically tangible goods from one country to other countries, and re-export of goods at various stages of production. Invisible export involves the export of physically intangible items, such as services, from one country to other countries.

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A standard import involves the physical transfer of goods from one country to another. In contrast, invisible imports are intangible goods brought into a country. An invisible import is generally a service – if a country receives investment banking consulting from another country for instance, it still qualifies as an inflow like a normal import despite nothing tangible being brought into the country.

tangible goods – материальные товары/средства intangible goods – нематериальные товары/средства

Visible Invisible

Exports

Imports

1. Canadian vacuum cleaner bought by a housewife in Belarus.

2. Russian car sold in Finland.

3. Russian tourist in France.

4. Dutch tulips sold in Russian shops.

5. Russian coal sold in China.

6. Russian computer used in America.

7. Russian piano bought by a housewife in Estonia.

8. Spanish tourist in Belarus.

9. Greek ships carriers of Russian goods.

10. French perfume sold in Russia.

11. Russian insurance company insures an Italian ship.

12. Belgian beer sold in Russia.

XI. Insert the right words. Choose from the list below.

I

1. container 3. containerize

2. containers 4. containerized

5. containerization

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II

1. Balance of trade 2. Balance of payments

Text 1

Although (a) has many advantages, it has some disadvantages too.

And that is why many ports are still not specially adapted to (b) traffic.

Now, you need a lot of special equipment for handling (c) and this is very expensive. Some countries haven't got enough money to buy the equipment to (d) their ports. Also, (e) means that there is more unemployment, because the equipment does the work that people do in conventional ports. And most countries don't want a lot of people out of work, so they don't want their ports to be (f).

Text 2

The difference between the amount a country spends on visible imports and the amount it receives for visible exports is its Balance of

(a). The difference between the total amount a country spends on imports (both visible and invisible) and other payments abroad, and the total amount it receives, from exports (both visible and invisible) and other receipts, is its Balance of (b).

DO IT FOR FUN

I. Solve the chain puzzle.

1. An amount granted, usually related to exemptions.

2. Any matter or fact from which an inference may be drawn to another matter or fact.

3. To send goods to a foreign country.

4. A list or system of duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods.

5. Deliberate deception.

6. A refund of Customs duty.

7. 2.2046 pounds.

8. A written instrument containing a true account of imported cargo.

9. Movement of merchandise through another country.

10. A name, a symbol or other device identifying a product.

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35. Make up sentence with the given Russian phrases. Ask your partner to translate them into English.

strip stamps on bottled alcoholic beverages;fiscal caps on wines;

tax stamps on tobacco products;

marking of mineral oils;

audit-system controls with regard to warehouses;

common chemical marker (Euromarker) to be used in fuelsenjoying an exemption or a reduced rate of taxation.

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IV. Solve the crossword puzzle.

Across:

1. There are 2 types of goods: goods of Customs Union and … goods.

6. It is a facility granted to those involved in external trade to place

their goods temporarily in Customs storage, without the payment of duties and taxes, without the application of economic restrictions and prohibitions.

9. Delivery, shipment, cargo, batch, goods – are the synonymous of this word.

9. Responsible for to customs or other duties.

10. It is a customs procedure under which foreign goods can be used for operations of … processing on the territory of Customs Union during certain period of time and free of payment import and export duties and taxes.

17. It is a customs procedure under which goods of Customs Union can be brought out of the territory of Customs Union and are intended to permanent location out of Customs Union.

19. It is a treatment applied by the Customs to goods, which are subject to customs control.

Down:

2. Means, potential, equipment, resource are the synonymous of this

word.

2. The quality of being legal.

3. The action or fact of abandoning or being abandoned.

4. A collectible object such as a piece of furniture or work of art that has a high value because of its considerable age.

7. Overload, congestion, surcharge, overburden are the synonymous of this word.

7. Classification of goods depending on the material, application, country of origin, etc.

12. A permit from an authority to own or use something, do a particular thing, or carry on a trade (especially in alcoholic beverages).

12. An undertaking in due legal form, by which a person binds himself to Customs to do or not to do some special act.

13. The process of freeing or state of being free from an obligation or liability imposed on others.

14. To allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free.

15. Forbidden, banned.

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18. An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment.

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UNIT 5. HARMONIZED SYSTEM

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

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Text 5.1. A brief history of the harmonized system

Commodities and services are key elements which international trade can't easily dispense with. There has always been a need to classify goods. The right classification of goods plays an essential role for trade statistics to develop a Customs policy of any country.

The first «goods classification systems» were very simple in nature, introducing an alphabetical list of goods on which a particular tax or toll (rate of duty) was imposed or which were exempt from such levies. Later, it was realized that a goods classification system based on criteria other than the same tax treatment would be advantageous, and Customs tariffs based on the nature of the goods were developed. Within this classification system particular products were identified for differential tax or other treatment.

The level and importance of international trade increased and everyone concerned with international trade became aware of the difficulties caused by differences in national Customs tariffs.

The efforts to produce a common world nomenclature designed to facilitate international trade spanned more than a century. They had led to the introduction of nomenclatures that at times had been used for both tariff and statistical purposes.

In 1831 Belgium presented its foreign trade statistics under three general headings: raw materials, produced and manufactured articles. In 1885 the International Institute of Statistics was founded to carry on the work of the International Statistical Congresses held at the Hague (1869), St. Petersburg (1872) and Budapest (1876). However, the first uniform statistical nomenclature to have been approved by international Convention was adopted at the Second International Conference on Commercial Statistics, held in Brussels (1913).

The idea of a common framework for Customs tariffs was put forward at the World Economic Conference (1927) and a draft Customs Nomenclature (the first version of which was completed in 1931 and revised in 1937) was prepared. This Nomenclature, which came to be known as «The Geneva Nomenclature», comprised 991 headings, arranged in 86 chapters which were themselves grouped into 21 sections.

The drive for economic reconstruction and the desire for greater freedom of trade which characterized the post-war period created favourable conditions for the standardization of Customs tariffs. The

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work done by the European Customs Union (from 1948 onwards) was based on the Geneva Nomenclature, which was the only standard framework of its kind available at that time. Nevertheless, considerable amendments were made to the Geneva text, partly to reflect technical progress and partly because of shortcomings revealed by the experience of countries which had already adopted Geneva-type tariffs. It was decided that the headings of the Nomenclature should be established by a Convention. It was thus this 1949 draft which, re-arranged, abridged and simplified, was incorporated into the Brussels Convention of 15 December 1950 on «Nomenclature for the Classification of Goods in Customs Tariffs», initially known as the «Brussels (Tariff) Nomenclature» (BTN); but in 1974 it was renamed the «Customs Co-operation Council Nomenclature» (CCCN).

In the late 1960s there was a growing awareness amongst all concerned with international trade of the need to rationalize and harmonize trade documentation data and, in particular, to harmonize the designation and coding of countries, units of quality, modes of transport, transport hauling requirements and, not least, commodities. It had been found that a commodity could be designated up to 17 times in the course of a single international transaction. The exploratory studies and preparatory work carried out under the auspices of the CCC resulted in the completion of the «Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System» and the establishment of a new international Convention for its implementation (1983).

Exercises

I. Match the words from the text with their corresponding definitions.

1. toll a. the basic structure, arrangement or system

2. to levy b. any article of commerce

3. nomenclature c. a correction, revision or change

4. framework d. payment, tax

5. amendment e. confirm, agree to

6. draft f. collecting of a tax or another payment

7. commodity g. to vote to accept

8. to adopt h. patronage, protection

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9. to approve i. system of naming

10. auspices j. preliminary plan or sketch of writing

II. Find nouns in the text which follow the verbs below.

A

1. to impose 4. to create 7. to harmonize

2. to facilitate 5. to reveal 8. to designate

3. to adopt 6. to make 9. to carry out

10. to result in

B

Use the expressions from the exercise above to replace the words in italics in the following sentences.

1. Considerable changes were introduced into the Geneva text.

2. From the earliest times there has been a desire on the part of authorities to apply duties to goods being moved across their territorial boundaries.

3. A common world nomenclature was designed to help the international exchange of goods.

4. Shortcomings of the Geneva-text were revealed by the experience of countries which had already accepted Geneva-type lists of taxes.

5. The drive for economic reconstruction and the desire for greater freedom of trade during the post-war period brought about favourable circumstances for the standardization of Customs tariffs.

6. It had been found that a product could be defined up to 17 times in the course of a simple international transaction.

7. The experience of countries which had already adopted Geneva-type tariffs showed the drawbacks of the Geneva text.

8. The exploratory studies of the CCC brought about the accomplishment of the Harmonized System.

9. There was a growing awareness of the need to rationalize and bring into accord trade documentation data.

10. Preparatory work was conducted under the auspices of the CCC.

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III. What are the synonyms from the text of the following words? a

1. aim 6. plan

2. established 7. to define, characterise

3. beneficial, convenient 8. to enlarge, grow

4. defects 9. to confirm

5. accessible 10. to disclose

В

Use the words from the exercise above to translate the following questions. Pay attention to the underlined words.

того чт обы классифицировать товары?

7. Какой документ был в распоряжении Европейского таможенного союза как единственная основа для будущего таможенного тарифа?

IV. Complete the following sentences on the left with the participle clauses on the right.

1. Customs tariffs … were developed. a. caused by differences in national Customs tariffs

2. Everyone concerned became aware b. done by the European

of the difficulties ... Customs Union

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112

V. Fill in the gaps with the correct article where necessary.

Later it was realized that ... goods classification system based on criteria other than ... same tax treatment would be advantageous, and ...

Customs tariffs based on the nature of ... goods were developed, particular products being identified for differential tax or other treatment within these classification systems.

Indeed, it had been found that ... commodity could be designated up to 17 times in the course of ... single international transaction. The exploratory studies and preparatory work carried out under ... auspices of ...

55. resulted in the completion of ... «Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System» and the establishment of ... new international Convention for its implementation (1983). In 1831 ...

Belgium presented its foreign trade statistics under ... three general headings: ... raw material, produced and manufactured articles. In 1885 the International Institute of Statistics was founded to carry on ... work of the International Statistical Congresses held at ... Hague (1869), ... St. Petersburg (1872) and ... Budapest (1876).

VI. Use the appropriate form of the verbs from the list to complete the sentences (1 – 10). Use each verb only once.

adopt	make	complete
create	found	rename
put forward	develop	carry out
incorporate

1. Customs tariffs based on the nature of the goods …

2. In 1885 the International Institute of Statistics …

3. The first uniform statistical nomenclature … at the Second International Conference on Commercial Statistics.

4. The idea of a common framework for Customs Tariffs … at the World Economic Conference in 1927.

5. The first version of a draft Customs Nomenclature … in 1931.

6. Considerable amendments … to the Geneva text.

7. «The Brussels Tariff Nomenclature» … «The Customs Co-operation Council Nomenclature».

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8. The exploratory studies and preparatory work … under the auspices of the CCC.

8. This 1949 draft … into the Brussels Convention of 15 December

1950.

8. Favourable conditions for the standardization of Customs tariffs …

VII. Translate into English.

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

to alter менять, видоизменять

evasion уклонение, неуплата

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distortion искажение

obsolete [ˈɔbsəliːt] устаревший, отсталый

implementation реализация, осуществление

vigorous энергичный, бодрый

Text 5.2. Keeping the harmonized system alive

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System generally referred to as «Harmonized System» or simply «HS» is an internationally standardized system of names and numbers for classifying traded products developed and maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The Harmonized System is used by more than 200 countries and economies as a basis for their Customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics. Another important area is the tracking and control of goods of environmental and social concern, for which the application of the HS as an indispensable tool has been widely recognized.

The HS Nomenclature comprises about 5,000 commodity groups which are identified by a 6-digit code and arranged according to a legal and logical structure based on fixed rules.

The first four digits are referred to as the heading. The first six digits are known as a subheading. Countries that have adopted the Harmonized System are not permitted to alter in any way the descriptions associated to a heading or a subheading nor can the numerical codes at the four or six digit level be altered. This is what keeps the Harmonized System harmonized.

Individual countries may extend a Harmonized System number to eight or ten digits for Customs purposes, and to eight or ten digits for export purposes.

Given that the sphere of influence of the HS as the common economic language for goods is ever expanding, its uniform application (interpretation of the text) by all users is the key to its success. Correct and uniform application of the HS in an efficient manner facilitates international trade and investment and promotes compliance with fiscal and trade rules or laws. Misclassification of goods could lead to loss of revenue, evasion of trade controls, delays in clearance and distortion of trade data.

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Timely implementation of the HS is very important, in order to avoid having different versions in existence at the same time, and consequent confusions in trade circle which could affect the reputation of the HS. Equally important is the periodic updating of the HS in order to prevent it from becoming obsolete.

The updating of the HS is a continuous process, requiring constant effort by the WCO in a rapidly changing trade environment. A consi-derable amount of time and resources have to be devoted to this work in order to take account of the latest developments in technology, patterns of trade and the special needs of HS users. If the WCO fails to perform this task, the HS will soon become a useless, outdated instrument.

The WCO manages the HS review process through the Harmonized System Committee – representing the Contracting Parties to the HS Convention – and more specifically through its HS Review Sub-Committee. Generally, each Review Cycle lasts five years.

To date, the HS Committee deals with the settlement of international classification disputes and problems which need resolution at international level, thus contributing to achieving uniform classification and ensuring transparency with regard to HS classification.

The promotion of the HS in order to increase the number of HS users is one of the ongoing activities of WCO which contribute to the harmonization of Customs procedures and facilitation of international trade. The HS continues to widen its horizons as the number of users continues to grow. More vigorous efforts will be needed in the future to sustain this success, of which the WCO and its Members can justifiably be proud.

dispute (n) [dɪsˈpjuːt] – a serious argument or disagreement dispute (v) [ˈdɪspjuːt] – to argue or disagree with someone

tax avoidance - managing of financial matters so as to lower taxes as much as is legally possible.

tax evasion - not paying taxes owed. This is illegal.

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Answer the following questions.

1. What is the HS?

2. What examples can you give to prove that the HS is now used for a variety of purposes?

3. Why is a uniform application of the HS by all users the key to its success?

4. What are the reasons for the periodic updating of the HS?

5. Why is the updating of the HS a continuous process? What should be taken into account in this process?

6. How does the WCO manage the HS review process?

7. What committees are responsible for the settlement of international classification disputes?

8. What is the WCO doing now in order to keep the HS from becoming a useless instrument?

9. How do you understand the expression «trade environment»?

FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

I. Punctuate the following text.

SPANISH VERSIONS OF THE HS TO BE «HARMONIZED»

A single Spanish version of the Harmonized System has been finalized on the initiative of the Mexican Customs Administration the Mexican Administration in its capacity as Secretary of the Multilateral Agreement on Co -operation and Mutual Assistance among Latin American Spanish and Portuguese Customs Administrations has promoted a project to create the «Single Spanish Text» of the Harmonized System Spanish versions of the HS had been developed in the past by the Spanish Administration and by the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) though both were based on the official English and French versions of the HS there were variations in the texts due to differences in interpretation the Mexican initiative which received the support of the Spanish Administration the Organization of American States OAS and ALADI was designed to resolve the interpretation problems through a series of seminars and workshops attended by Spanish-speaking HS experts and to arrive at an integrated version of the

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HS in Spanish the new Spanish version is expected to facilitate the uniform application of the HS in all Spanish-speaking countries.

II. Find the headlines to the following five texts. Choose from:

NOTE! There are more headlines than texts.

a. The HS and Waste Control e. Management through HS

b. Notice to HS Contracting Parties f. On the Road to 1996

c. UN Trade Data g. Focus on HS

d. Now on Sale h. GATT

Text 1

At its session, the Harmonized System Committee agreed to proceed in the direction of examining specific categories of hazardous and other waste products, with a view to their separate identification in the HS for monitoring purposes.

Certain categories of waste products of urgent concern such as household/municipal waste, sewage sludge, laboratory and chemical waste, waste oil, etc. have been marked by the Committee for further studies to be conducted in consultation with administrations and concerned international organizations. The crucial role of the Harmonized System in the successful management of waste was underscored by the 2nd Conference of Contracting Parties and was echoed by the Representative of the Basel Convention Secretariat at the last meeting of the HS Committee.

Text 2

The first edition of the Harmonized System (HS) Commodity Data Base on CD-ROM (chemical sector) has been recently published by the CCC.

The CD-ROM contains English and French descriptions of about 112 000 chemical products – many with trade names – together with their 6-digit HS codes. The Data Base offers the most sophisticated search facilities. The HS code number can be ascertained by just keying in the description of the commodity or its trade name. The Data Base also incorporates the entire HS Explanatory Notes – over 1600 pages – in

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both official languages of the Council. The CD-ROM contains the necessary software for adding the user's own remarks, for printouts, for direct retrieval of the Explanatory Notes and file transfers.

55. Member administrations as well as the public can purchase the Data Base on CD-ROM with a comprehensive User's Guide for 4500 BF for the single user version and 10000 BF for the network version.

Text 3

The identification of important categories of waste in the Harmonized System in order to facilitate trans boundary movements will be one of the major points for the next HS review, which is expected to start shortly. Separate identification of certain specific waste, laboratory and chemical wastes, sewage sludge, waste oils, etc. is already on the Agenda.

The Secretariat has continued its consultations with other international organizations dealing with the question of waste, with a view to formulating appropriate proposals. One of the items under examination is the correlation between the HS and the OECD System of wastes for recovery (the green, amber and red lists of wastes).

The Harmonized System Committee is currently considering the timing, scope and procedure for the next review cycle; and certain policy issues and methodologies concerning the separate identification of waste products in the HS.

Text 4

The Harmonized System (HS) has been incorporated into the United Nations international trade data base (COMTRADE). COMTRADE is maintained by the Statistical Division of the United Nations (UNSTAT) and is based on the SITC.

An Interagency Task Force on International Trade Statistics was set up in 1992 for improving the flow of trade statistics and the international comparability of trade data.

The Task Force has been looking into the question of incorporating the HS format into the COMTRADE data base. Work has already started and a test data base, consisting of the SITC data for EFTA and Latin American countries reformatted into the HS, has been made available on line to authorized users of COMTRADE for some time. The trial has not

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indicated any problems. It is expected that the production version of the modified COMTRADE data base will be ready for implementation shortly.

Text 5

Some 400 amendments have been made to the Harmonized System. In order to keep the Harmonized System truly harmonized it is necessary that Contracting Parties and other users of the HS implement the amendments in their Customs tariff and statistical nomenclatures on…, the date scheduled for simultaneous change – over to the new version.

In view of the extensive nature of the amendments, a large number of the present HS Codes will be non-existent in… , giving way to new codes and resulting in entirely different classifications for hundreds of products.

Thus, delayed implementation by administration could result in the existence of different versions at the same time. This would inevitably result in confusion in trade circles, delay and extra costs.

III. Read the following information:

More than 200 countries, Customs and economic unions, representing more than 98% of world trade, use the HS as a basis for:

• Customs tariffs;

• Collection of international trade statistics;

• Rules of origin;

• Collection of internal taxes;

• Trade negotiations (e.g., the World Trade Organization schedules of tariff concessions);

• Transport tariffs and statistics;

• Monitoring of controlled goods (e.g., wastes, narcotics, chemical weapons, ozone layer depleting substances, endangered species);

• Areas of Customs controls and procedures, including risk assessment, information technology and compliance.

Find 13 users of HS in the following list:

1. Customs administrations

2. Sportsmen

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3. Customs brokers

4. Importers and exporters

3. Manufactures

4. Freight forwarders

5. Universities

6. Transport organizations

7. Intergovernmental organizations

8. World Health Organization

3. Pre-shipment inspection companies

4. Customs lawyers

5. Statisticians

6. Economists

7. Trade libraries

3. Police

4. Trade associations and organizations

5. Dog handlers

DO IT FOR FUN

I. Exercise your brains by solving these puzzles.

1.

2.

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3.

4.

5.

II. Speculate about the following:

There is nothing more difficult to take in hand or more uncertain in its success than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.

N. Machiavelli¹

III. Name the following terms:

1. The process of releasing goods from Customs.

2. A list of goods that have been supplied or work that has been done, showing how much you owe for them.

1. Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) – Italian writer and statesman. He was the first to propound the thesis of historical cycles; to built a political science based on the study of man.

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3. The area in which sales are made.

4. A shop, company, or organization through which products are sold.

3. Money which has to be paid when goods enter a country.

4. A tax added to the price of goods and services in Britain and the EU.

3. Money added to someone's wages, especially as a reward for good

work.

3. Not paying taxes owed. This is illegal.

4. A company that is owned or controlled by another larger company.

3. Managing of financial matters so as to lower taxes as much as is legally possible.

IV. Explain the meaning of the following proverb in English and translate it into Russian:

Birds of a feather flock together .

V. Complete the sentence:

A bank is a place where _______________ Now read what R. Frost thought about it.

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.

Robert Frost¹

VI. Solve the crossword.

Across:

1. Faults or weaknesses.

2. Avoiding something that someone is supposed to do or deal with.

3. Changing of something that is not true or not acceptable.

4. No longer needed because something better has been invented.

1. Robert Frost (1875–1963) – US poet and poet-in-residence at a number of colleges and universities, best known for his use of colloquial language, familiar rhythms, and symbols taken from common life to express the quiet values of New England life.

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6. Payment, tax.

7. Patronage, protection.

6. Collecting of a tax or another payment.

14. Giving a description or name.

Down:

5. Absolutely essential.

9. Preliminary plan or sketch of writing.

10. System of naming.

9. Basic structure, arrangement or system.

10. Correction, revision or change.

11. Any article of commerce.

15. Changing things so that they all have the same features.

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UNIT 6. CUSTOMS VALUATION

Study the following words and word combinations from the text.

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transaction value	стоимость сделки /		определение
	таможенной стоимости по цене
	сделки с ввозимыми товарами
transaction value of identical	метод	определения	таможенной
goods	стоимости по цене сделки с иден-
	тичными товарами
transaction value of similar	метод	определения	таможенной
goods	стоимости с однородными това-
	рами
deductive method	метод на основе вычитания стои-
	мости
computed method	метод	определения	таможенной
	стоимости на основе сложения
fall-back method	резервный метод
to deem	считать
to provide for	предусматривать

Text. Valuation of goods

Customs valuation is a major feature of modern Customs tariff systems. Customs valuation is a Customs procedure applied to determine the Customs value of imported goods¹. It is important for the assessment of Customs duties, whether for purposes of producing revenue or as a means of encouraging and protecting domestic industry. It is also a significant element in a variety of other aspects of international trade such as statistics, quota and licensing arrangements, taxes and other charges levied at importation and in the application of preference systems.

Customs valuation systems have been the subject of a number of international harmonization and standardization efforts. International efforts toward harmonization began in the early 20th century, but significant results did not come until the 1947 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

The Tokyo Round of multilateral trade negotiations (1973–1979) recognized that certain valuation practices can have restrictive effects on

1. GATT/WTO Customs valuation.

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international trade. These negotiations were one of the major trade policy initiatives of our time; they were intended «to achieve the expansion and ever-greater liberalization of world trade, inter alia, through the progressive dismantling of obstacles to trade».

One of the results of the trade negotiations was the adoption of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT which entered into force on 1 January 1981. The Agreement established a positive system of Customs valuation based on the price actually paid or payable for the imported goods («transaction value»). It provides a fair, uniform and neutral system for the valuation of goods for Customs purposes, conforming to commercial realities; a system which outlaws the use of arbitrary or fictitious Customs values.

The Agreement laid down the general principles for an international system of valuation.

The Agreement stipulates that Customs valuation shall be based on the actual price of the goods to be valued, which is generally shown on the invoice. This price, plus adjustments for certain elements, is called the transaction value. This is the first and most important method of valuation set out in the Agreement.

For cases in which there is no transaction value, or where the transaction value is not acceptable as the Сustoms value because the price has been distorted as a result of certain conditions, the Agreement lays down five other methods of Сustoms valuation, to be applied in the prescribed hierarchical order. Overall the following six methods are considered in the Agreement:

• Method 1: transaction value

• Method 2: transaction value of identical goods

• Method 3: transaction value of similar goods

• Method 4: deductive method

• Method 5: computed method

• Method 6: fall-back method

The Agreement also contains certain other provisions concerning, for example, currency conversion, the right of appeal to a judicial authority, the publication of law and regulations concerning Customs valuation, and the prompt clearance of goods.

In addition to the Agreement itself, a Protocol, which is deemed to be part of it, contains provisions for the special problems and training needs of developing countries, permitting them some flexibility in applying the

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Agreement. The Agreement also provides for technical assistance to these countries to help them set up new valuation systems based thereon.