ALOFI, Niue – The Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus continues to advance its objective of
facilitating trade and investment among its 10 member countries. A critical component of this effort is the integration
of customs and postal administration systems, a goal furthered by the recent feasibility study on the interface between
the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ASYCUDA World Systems for Customs and the Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Customs Declaration System (CDS) for postal administration in Niue.
Currently, the lack of integration between customs and postal systems causes delays and inefficiencies in the processing
and clearance of international shipments. These challenges hinder the speed and cost-effectiveness of doing business
online, affecting both businesses and consumers in the PACER Plus countries.Niue's Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, Hon. Crossley Tatui (front row, fifth from right) with the Australian
High Commissioner to Niue, H.E. Katy Stuart (front row, fourth from right), the New Zealand High Commissioner to Niue,
H.E. Mark Gibb (front row, sixth from right), and Niue's public and private stakeholders. / SUPPLIED
The UPU CDS is a software application designed to enable the exchange of messages between customs and designated
operators, allowing customs formalities to be completed before the arrival of postal items. By facilitating electronic
data exchange between customs and postal authorities, the interface significantly streamlines the customs clearance
process for e-commerce shipments. This advancement reduces the time and cost of doing business online for both
businesses and consumers within PACER Plus member countries thus restoring confidence in the use of postal services for
sending and receiving goods, especially e-commerce items.
The UNCTAD ASYCUDA World system, widely used for customs management, and the UPU CDS, a standard for postal
administrations, are anticipated to yield significant benefits when integrated. These benefits include enhanced
efficiency, transparency, and speed of cross-border trade in the region.
Hon. Crossley Tatui, Niue's Minister for Finance and Infrastructure, expressed his support for the initiative: "The
successful integration of customs and postal systems through the PACER Plus agreement marks a significant step forward
in facilitating trade and investment in our region. This initiative not only streamlines processes but also enhances
transparency and efficiency, ultimately benefiting our businesses and consumers. We are excited to see the positive
impact this will have on Niue."
Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, highlighted the pioneering nature of this initiative: "The
rollout of this interface across the Pacific will make our region the first in the world to adopt such a harmonised
system. This achievement is testament to the commitment of PACER Plus to leveraging technology to drive economic growth
and improve trade facilitation for all PACER Plus members."