Clearing agents form association

The Customs Clearing and Brokers Association of Namibia has been established to represent licensed clearing agents in discussions about customs rules and the movement of goods across borders.

Secretary-general Paul Nakhom said agents needed a place at the table when decisions affecting their work were discussed, made and implemented.

“We want to be involved at the government level when all of these discussions and decisions are being made regarding anything to do with international trade,” he said.

Nakhom said the association would seek recognition and establish a working relationship with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA). Its priorities include clearer customs procedures, better communication between regulators and a channel for agents to raise concerns about decisions affecting their businesses.

Delays and procedures

Clearing agents act on behalf of importers and exporters, submitting documents and handling customs requirements for goods entering or leaving Namibia.

Nakhom said an estimated 330 clearing and forwarding agencies held licences, although he said NamRA would need to confirm the figure.

He said poor coordination between agencies could delay shipments. In some cases, an agent had to bring two regulators into contact to resolve a requirement, with delays potentially resulting in the loss of a product.

The association also wants to address requirements it considers unnecessary barriers to trade and work with NamRA to resolve problems with the customs management system.

“Anybody who wants to do business or trade internationally with Namibia must be able to know what is required to conform with any regulations,” Nakhom said.

He said agents sometimes learnt of changes in procedure only when they arrived at a customs office. The association intends to document its engagements with NamRA and communicate the outcomes to members, giving businesses time to understand and prepare for changes.

Nakhom said members also wanted a channel for resolving disputes or misunderstandings with NamRA, with outcomes that were acceptable under the law.

Call for members

Association chairperson Augus Bikeur called on clearing and forwarding companies throughout Namibia to join. He said businesses of different sizes faced many of the same challenges and would have a stronger voice when acting together.

“Whether your company is small or big, our challenges remain the same,” Bikeur said.

He said the association planned to engage the NamRA commissioner on ways to improve the industry’s operating environment. It would also promote compliance, proper licensing and training for agents.

“We want to establish professional standards in the clearing and forwarding industry, where our agents are properly trained, know how to conduct themselves and know what they are supposed to do,” Bikeur said.

Nakhom said agents had previously been divided by individual business interests, making it difficult to form a representative body. Recent challenges had prompted them to organise collectively.

He said the association wanted to take part in government forums dealing with trade compliance and facilitation, and to revive engagement through a customs-to-business forum launched in 2013. According to Nakhom, the forum had made little progress since its launch.

The association also aims to discourage unethical conduct among agents. Nakhom said compliance was a shared responsibility and that trained clearing agents could help traders meet customs requirements.

Bikeur encouraged companies to join while the association was taking shape. Membership information and application forms are available through its website, www.ccban.com.na.

The association named the following interim board members:

Augus Bikeur: founder and chairperson

Ester Gaes: vice-chairperson

Paul Nakhom: secretary-general

Rochelle Kangeriko: director for corporate compliance and administration

Chrizette De Beer: director for business development

Angelo Hendricks: director for investment and trading

Sello Hango: director for training and operations

Daniel Haufiku: director for operations in the northern regions

Willem Klaaste: director for operations in the Khomas region

Paul Ndelwa: director, trade facilitation expert and stakeholder consultant

Enrico Daniels: regional operations representative for the //Karas region

Eveline de Klerk: media liaison and marketing