Member Article

"When it comes to customs, time is money", the Director of Minter Ellison’s International Trade Group, Iain Sandford, told a major customs law meeting in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Mr Sandford was a guest of the World Customs Law Academy, the Brazilian Association of Customs Studies and the Inter-American Institute for Borders and Customs.

His address on the approach of Australia and New Zealand to customs issues in their Free Trade Agreement agenda highlighted a positive and ambitious international reform agenda championed by the Trans-Tasman partners.

"Reduction in customs clearance times has the same effect as a reduction in tariffs," Mr Sandford said. For this reason, a critical focus in recent trade agreements by both Australia and New Zealand has been to drive efficiency in customs administration.

"There is clearly genuine interest in Latin America about our experience in international trade reform. Australia and New Zealand are perceived as leaders in this area," he said, "and there is a sense from South American delegates that there may be lessons to be drawn."

A copy of the paper Mr Sandford presenting at the "Customs Activity and Challenges of the Future" Forum is available here.