Some 20 officials specializing in areas relating to the tariff classification of goods, representing several departments of the Saudi Customs Authority, took part in the workshop.

The aim of the workshop was to present to the participants the amendments that have been introduced into the new 2022 edition of the HS and to discuss various topics connected with the HS. The participants were also informed about some of the practical aspects of transposing the HS into national tariffs, in order to ensure that it was properly applied in a uniform manner.

The workshop was opened by Mr. Zaid El Adlak, the Director of the Customs Training Directorate at the ZATCA Training Academy, who thanked the WCO for its commitment to supporting its Members and encouraged the participants to take the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the HS 2022 amendments and share internally within their authority experiences and information of interest about the tariff classification of goods and the transposition of a new version of the HS.

There was an opportunity for the pre‑accredited trainers to give a practical demonstration of their skills and knowledge as expert trainers on the Harmonized System.

During the workshop, several cases of tariff classification were analysed in a variety of areas, such as food supplements, wood products, textiles and machinery, including high-tech machinery.

The participants presented the organizational structure and the various stages and functions involved in the work of tariff classification of goods. In addition, they highlighted the work of coordination that went on among the various departments and units of the Saudi Customs Authority in order to ensure that the HS was properly applied.

The participants were also informed about the new provisions and draft amendments to the HS for the next 2027 version.

Mr. Abdulaziz Bawazir, the Director General of the ZATCA Training Academy, brought the workshop to a close. He again thanked the WCO for its unfailing support to its Members and for its assistance and capacity building activities for Customs officials, in particular in the area of the tariff classification of goods. He emphasized that, along the lines of its actions, the Academy, following in the footsteps of the WCO, supported all capacity building activities for ZATCA officials.