1. SGS CUSTOMS SUPPORT SERVICES
The Context SGS Solutions
Governments, in particular national Customs SGS is uniquely positioned to propose and deliver
Administrations, are faced with the challenge of tailored solutions to individual countries needs and this
maintaining strong controls to protect their national for three reasons:
interests while at the same time facilitating the flow of
• Modular approach enables SGS to offer adapted
goods to improve competitiveness.
solutions that can be expanded or limited in their
coverage over time. This flexibility is a guarantee of
Modern Customs Administrations implement selective cost effectiveness and technical excellence;
controls and are increasingly considering contracting • Systematic investment in people and systems! SGS
out to the private sector supporting tasks/functions. has invested IT systems that are flexible and allow
This leaflet reviews the SGS services that are the client governments real time secured access to
available to Customs, either on a stand-alone basis or information. SGS has organised internal networks of
as part of a comprehensive program of support. expert in the core customs skills and in product
knowledge.
• A unique network of affiliates in 140 countries which
can become the “eyes and ears” of governments.
Client Needs
There is broad consensus about the increasingly Client Benefits
complex challenges that Customs Administrations are
The impact of SGS comprehensive import verification
facing in today’s global trading environment.
programs is well documented and the commitment to
success demonstrated in these large programs is
While SGS does not have a single response to all
applied in smaller “modular” programs as suggested
challenges, we believe that we can be of assistance
below.
(in a supporting role) to Customs in a variety of fields,
such as customs valuation, protection of consumers,
SGS is committed to perform in line with agreed key
operation of scanning equipment, validation of
transactions, certification of entities, etc.. performance indicators.
Why SGS?
The SGS Group is the clear global leader and innovator in verification, testing and certification services. Founded in
1878, SGS is recognised as the global benchmark for the highest standards of expertise, quality and integrity. With
32000 employees, SGS operates a network of almost 840 offices and subsidiaries and over 320 laboratories around
the world.
As a professional, independent and reliable partner, SGS is committed to the delivery of enhanced value for
shareholders, clients, employees and the public at large.
Integrity, transparency and ethical behaviour are the core values of the SGS Group.

2. SGS CUSTOMS SUPPORT SERVICES
Services Description
There are four categories of services for which SGS
has recognised competencies and capacities that
might be of interest to Customs:
• Inspection services;
• Valuation, classification, origin validation;
• Monitoring of customs regimes;
• Trade facilitation and certification.
Inspection
The SGS network is well known for its unique country
coverage (140 countries) and incorporates trained
inspectors in all locations. The inspection tasks can be
organised in the exporting, trans-shipment, or
importing locations using a variety of means and
techniques as described below:
• Design of inspection procedures and
manuals using SGS best practices relating to
goods specific knowledge, sampling
methods, and risk analysis.
• Training programs in inspection techniques
by commodities, customs classification, and
physical risks.
• Pre-shipment inspection to avoid delays at
arrival or risks related to security, the
environment, or public health (for instance
hazardous waste imports).
• Inspection services at arrival as a sub-
contractor of Customs for technical
inspection (for instance radiation, quality
testing, or phyto-sanitary compliance).
• Laboratory analysis / management services
made available to Customs.
SGS is also available to assist in the operation and
management of cargo scanning equipment and
“second inspection” audit chains. Customs
administrations (Mexican Customs for instance) are
putting in place a random second inspection chain that
immediately validates / audits the inspection
performed by Customs.

3. SGS CUSTOMS SUPPORT SERVICES
Services Description (contd)
Valuation, Classification, Origin
The implementation of the WTO Agreement on Customs
Valuation and the multiplication of regional free trade
agreements have led to increasing concerns about revenue
losses related to misdeclared values and origin. SGS has
competencies in the following areas:
• Customs risk management to assess transaction specific
risks and identify required intervention levels;
• Validation of declared customs values and classification
using SGS international network of valuation / classification
experts and unique IT tools;
• Training in customs valuation and classification techniques
to support developing countries efforts at strengthening
their institutional capacities;
• Independent validation of compliance with rules of origin
through leveraging SGS global network in exporting
countries (visit of manufacturers premises; review of
documentation).
• Post-entry audit support through development of
procedures, training of customs officers, and operational
support to customs;
Monitoring of Special Customs
Regimes
Special customs regimes are increasingly used by international
supply chains, including bonded warehousing, temporary
import/export regimes, and duty drawback/refund schemes.
• Monitoring of duty drawbacks and refunds through
independent assessment of claims and certification of
compliant beneficiaries;
• Bonds / guarantees management as a sub-contractor to
Customs to perform physical supervision related tasks on
goods entering the country under bond / guarantee /
exemption schemes;
• Act as a contractor to Customs to manage clearance
process in special / export processing zones when
Customs administrations don’t have the capacities available
locally (for instance in-land SEZs/EPZs);
• Bonded warehouse supervision to monitor compliance with
regulations through physical and documentary checks.

4. SGS VALUNET SUPPORT SERVICES
SGS CUSTOMS
A V
DDING C V
ALUE TO USTOMS ALUATION
Services Description (contd)
Trade Facilitation & Certification
SGS as the largest commercial inspection, testing,
and certification company in the world has unique
capabilities to validate transactions that should be
granted green channel status upon arrival and to
identify/certify compliant entities that should not be
subjected to systematic controls. SGS intervention
would enable Customs to focus their controls on
higher risk transactions / entities.
• Voluntary validation of compliance with importing
country regulations performed in the exporting
country (through inspection and detailed
documentary review);
• Certification of importers and exporters against
national standards for customs compliance. SGS
has developed questionnaires and an audit
methodology that could be used by national
Customs to develop their own standard.
• Supply chain security validation through detailed
© 2002 / 09 SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA All rights reserved
review and introduction / audit of security /
customs specific compliance requirements;
• Certification of customs brokers through
performance audits of internal process
compliance for handling import transactions.
Contacts
SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA
For more information on our world-wide services and Trade Assurance Services
office locations, please visit our website at: 1, Place des Alpes
http://www.sgs.com or contact Mr. Cyril Muller for CH-1211 Geneva 1 (Switzerland)
customs support services at: cyril_muller@sgs.com. Tel. : +41-22 / 739.91.11 – Fax. : +41 22 / 739.98.35