The mission of the OCO is to promote efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of Customs
administrations in Oceania, with particular emphasis on the needs of Customs administration of developing countries.
administrations in Oceania, with particular emphasis on the needs of Customs administration of developing countries.
News & Events
13 May 2013
OCO Secretariat is calling for expression of interest from reputable organisations/individuals to undertake a Feasibility Study to implement a Single Window System for Trade Facilitation in the Republic of Fiji.
Please click here for more information.
...more
06 May 2013
The Honourable Prime Minister of Tonga, Lord Tu’ivakano said that the Pacific Region could not continue to live in the past, as it is detrimental to the economic advancements and prosperity of the region.
He was addressing a gathering of Regional Customs Administration Heads who had gathere...more
02 April 2013
The Master of Ceremonies
The Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jitoko Tikolevu and Executives of Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority
Mr. Shigeaki Katsu, Deputy Director for the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building
Ms Pariyabhat from the Regional office for Capacity Building,
Mr. Jun Taji...more
02 April 2013
THE World Customs Organization (WCO) Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P) in partnership with the Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat (OCO), the Japan Customs and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) organized the WCO Sub-Regional Workshop on Valuation Contro...more
13 March 2013
THROUGH OCO-driven strategized approaches to trade facilitation initiatives, the Customs Administrations in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) now understand and appreciate the importance of capturing correct trade transaction data for statistical purposes. This data is required by poli...more
08 March 2013
On Thursday 7th March 2013, the Head of the OCO Secretariat Mr. Kulufeinga Bloomfield warmly welcomed the representatives from the Papua New Guinea Customs Service and the PNG Internal Revenue Commission at the office of the Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat.
(Caption: Mrs Nancy Oraka (l...more
07 February 2013
“Customs facilitates trade between countries and lays down boundaries and rules of engagement. Customs allows a rapport between countries as they engage in trade that can be likened to the trust inspired during the age-old barter system. Thinking from an economic perspective, to me customs sta...more
31 January 2013
OCO Secertariats Law Enforcement and Security officer Mr. Viliame Rova conducted Rules of Origin Workshop in Kiribati which was attended by 20 participants from Customs, trade officials and private sector. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce the application of the Criteria on the FTA/RTA so ...more
31 January 2013
The Head of the OCO Secretariat Mr. Kulufeinga Bloomfield led a small team of experts to Norfolk Island to conduct the Diagnostic Mission of their Customs Administration against the WCO Framework of Standard to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade. The outcomes of the assessment will determine which a...more
30 January 2013
The OCO Secretariat’s Baseline team left late January for the Republic of Palau to conduct a Baseline Survey of their Customs Service standards. This team, headed by the Corporate Services Manager, Mr Paul Meredith is tasked with assessing the current level of compliance of PACP member Customs...more
29 January 2013
The OCO ’ delegation led by the Head of Secretariat Mr. Kulu Bloomfield paid a courtesy visit to Timor Leste and met with the Timor Leste Customs Management Team to discuss a way forward whereby the OCO Secretariat can assist their administration under the TFCC Project funded by the European U...more
24 January 2013
A Management team from the OCO Secretariat led by the Head of Secretariat Mr Kulufeinga Bloomfield visited the Kingdom of Tonga in early January 2013 as part of a pre-Conference visit to the Tongan Customs Services. The Team met with Ms Daphney Stone CEO of the Ministry of Revenue and other Customs ...more
11 December 2012
There are a number of Regional Free Trade Agreements that the Pacific - African Caribbean Pacific (PACP) nations are signatories to, such as Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (ACP-EPA) and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Eco...more
06 November 2012
November 2012
Three Customs Officers from the Cook Islands, Tuvalu and Kiribati underwent an attachment at the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority (FRCA) complex in Fiji, doing a short-term training in various Custom disciplines.
Mr. Stephen Matapo from the Cook Islands, Mr. Temumuni Talitiga from ...more
05 November 2012
Implementation of Harmonized Coding System
August 2012
THIRTEEN Customs Officers attended the two-week Pacific-African Caribbean Pacific (PACP) Regional Harmonized Coding System (HCS) Workshop held at the Skylodge Hotel in Nadi, Suva. It was held from August 6 to 17, 2012.
The workshop, which w...more
30 October 2012
Another activity that the Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat has embarked upon is the promotion and demonstration of the importance of Risk Management within PACP member countries. The first Risk Management Workshop was held in Tonga in September by the consultant, Mr. Watisoni Rauicava. T...more
12 September 2012
An overseas sea vessel transferring a large number of goods onto another vessel at sea without Customs authorisation was being witnessed by one of the Tonga Customs Officer on Tuesday, 4th September, 2012.
The officer who witnessed the illegal activity between the two vessels immediately contacted ...more
23 August 2012
August 2012
The World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Office for Capacity Building for the Asia Pacific Region (ROCB) and the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) are co-hosting a Regional Post Clearance Audit Workshop for PACP Custom’s officers.
The workshop is the first to be held at t...more
23 August 2012
Following the successful completion of the Regional Harmonized Coding System Workshop for six PACP Customs Administrations in Nadi in August 2012 the Secretariat engaged the services of Mr. Bill Raikuna to assist the members with the implementation of the HS at the national level. One of th...more
22 August 2012
August 2012
The WCO Regional Training Centre for the Pacific Region has now been officially opened on Monday the 20th –August, 2012. The Regional Training Centre (RTC) is situated in the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority Building Complex, in Suva Fiji.
The complex currently holds th...more
20 August 2012
Tonga organizes national enforcement training on the Montreal Protocol
6 August, 2012
Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.
Kingdom of Tonga, gave dedication to the Protection of the Ozone Layer through the national implementation of the Montreal Protocol. In July 2012, the Ministry for Land, ...more
09 July 2012
OCEANIA CUSTOMS ORGANISATION & EUROPEAN UNION ASSIST THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA WITH CUSTOMS LAW REFORM
July 2012
The Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat have been working diligently for the past four weeks with a team of experts to develop a modern and enabling Cu...more
15 June 2012
MEDIA RELEASE
OCEANIA CUSTOMS ORGANISATION & EUROPEAN UNION ASSIST REPUBLIC OF PALAU WITH CUSTOMS LAW REFORM
The OCO announced today that over the past 4 weeks a team of experts has been working in Fiji to develop modern and enabling Customs law for the Republic of Palau. This work has ...more
07 June 2012
New Zealand's Pacific Liaison officer visits OCO Head office
The Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat has a long standing relationship with the New Zealand Government, as such, the newly appointed New Zealand Pacific liaison officer, Mr Andrew Walker paid a courtsey call to the OCO main off...more
07 June 2012
Signing of Service Contract between OCO and FRCA Consultant
June 2012
The signing of the Service Contract between the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) and the Consultant Mr. Watisoni Rauicava is to legally engage Mr. Rauicava to be part of the OCO Diagnostic Mission to undertake a strategi...more
18 May 2012
Anti-Money Laundering and the Combating of Terrorist Financing Workshop - Tonga
May 2012
AN Anti-money Laundering and the Combating of Terrorist Financing workshop funded by the Australian and Tongan Government was held in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from May 14th to the 18th. After t...more
15 May 2012
First line of guard: Envoy
Felix Chaudhary
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
WITHOUT effective and efficient Customs administration, individual governments will not be able to meet their policy objectives with respect to revenue collection, trade facilitation, and the protection of society from a wide rang...more
15 May 2012
Fiji leader in customs intelligence
Felix Chaudhary
Saturday, March 10, 2012
OCOS trade management and facilitation adviser Selwa Nandan during an interview in Nadi.
FIJI Customs' role as a leader in the implementation of risk management and intelligence strategies is evident in the numb...more
15 May 2012
Regional Investigation Management Workshop
April 30 – May 11, 2012
Skylodge Tanoa Hotel, Nadi
AROUND 20 Customs officers from around the Pacific Region will be attending a two-week Regional Investigation Management Workshop in Nadi from Monday, April 30 – May 11, 2012. This wo...more
15 May 2012
Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat 14th Annual
Conference
May 3rd, 2012
‘Borders Divide, Customs Connect’ was the theme of this year’s 14th Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat Annual Conference held at the Lee Auditorium/ Fale Laumei in Pago Pago, Ame...more
23 March 2012
Closing of the Regional Intelligence Management Workshop
March 2012
REPRESENTATIVES from 15 Pacific – African Caribbean Pacific (PACP) countries Customs Administrations attended the Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat’s Regional Intelligence Management Training Workshop earlier ...more
13 March 2012
MSG Customs and Quarantine Subcommittee Meeting
7-9 March 2012, MSG Secretariat, Port Vila, Vanuatu
INTRODUCTION
The MSG Customs & Quarantine Subcommittee held its second meeting on the 7-9 March 2012. The Customs and Quarantine subcommittee (C&QSC) was formulated by the MSG Leaders to...more
06 March 2012
TFCC Intelligence Workshop
March 2012
THE Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat conducted a two-week workshop under the Trade Facilitation in Customs Cooperation Project funded by the European Union under EDF 10 Program. This is the first of a number of workshops planned for the coming ...more
20 February 2012
THE Launch of the World Customs Organisations - Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority E-Learning Program
February 2012
THE increasing demand for training and technical assistance has led the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority to embrace technological advancements and institute it into t...more
11 January 2012
Joint Press Release (EU, PIFS, OCO, SPTO)
December 21, 2011
European Union signs over €12 million for Pacific Tourism and Customs Capacity Building
The European Union signed an assistance of €12.3 million to increase Pacific-ACP countries’ ability to benefit from global t...more
02 December 2011
A WCO Workshop on Intelligence Management was held at the Malaysian Customs Academy (AKMAL) at Melaka, Malaysia from the 14th -18th November, 2011.
The workshop was aimed at enhancing the knowledge of participants in Intelligence Management and to establish a network of Intelligence Officers in ea...more
26 August 2011
The Role of IT in Modern Tax Administration Workshop
Nadi, Fiji 17th – 19th August 2011
Background
Customs administrations today face a variety of political and administrative pressures and challenges. These include fluctuating workloads with static or declining resources, greater business ...more
26 August 2011
Forum Economic Ministers Meeting
Apia Samoa
19-21st July 2011
Introduction
The 15th Forum Economic Ministers was held in Apia, Samoa this year and was a three day event.
The Secretary General for the Pacific Island Forum Secretary (PIFS) Mr. Tuiloma Neroni Slade introduced the Economic Minister...more
06 July 2011
The Trade Policy and Negotiation Workshops I & II, are the first in a sequence of workshops that was facilitated by the Institute for International Trade at the University of Adelaide and the OCO Secretariat relating to PACER Plus for the FICs Customs and Trade Officials. Its purpose is to provi...more
17 June 2011
Following Phase I and Phase II of the Pacific Intelligence Officer Programme held in Auckland (2009) and Wellington (2010) respectively, the Pacific Immigration Identity Programme (PRIIP) in conjunction with OCO Secretariat and the Pacific Immigration Directors Conference (PIDC) conducted the final ...more
14 June 2011
The Oceania Customs Organisation Secretariat (OCO) in conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Department of Environment of Fiji organized the first ever training workshop on Green Customs Initiatives in the Pacific region which was held at the Outrigger on the Lagoon...more
27 May 2011
The third Border Security Conference, facilitated and hosted by the Institute of International Research (IIR) and supported by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service was held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Melbourne, Australia from the 9th – 11th of May 2011.
The OCO Secretariat wa...more
13 April 2011
With the coordination of the FRCA (Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority) and support of the WCO (World Customs Organisation) Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) and Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Secretariat, Mr. Shujie Zhang, TRS expert of the WCO ROCB, conducted a three day training w...more
01 April 2011
The Meeting of the Working Group on Strengthening Information Management (WGSIM) was held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva from 23-24th March, 2011
One of the major objectives of the Meeting was to review activities undertaken resulting from the WG meeting in October, 2010 an...more
31 March 2011
The Head of the Law Enforcement and Security Division Mr. Clement Taipala joined other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) and Secretariats on the 25th of March 2011 at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), for a preparatory meeting of the FRSC which was chaired by the PIFS.
The meeting was to a...more
31 March 2011
The World Customs Organisation and the Regional Office of Capacity Building for the Asia Pacific Region conducted a regional workshop from 28th February- 4th March 2011, in India, at the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics, Faridabad, New Delhi.
Law Enforcement and Security Advisor o...more
11 March 2011
The OCO Secretariats’ Management team led by the Head of Secretariat Mr. Kulu Bloomfield has met with the Government officials from the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste led by the Team Leader Mr. Francisco I. Montbrun of the National Authorising Office’s (NAO) met at the OCO Secretaria...more
11 March 2011
The OCO Secretariat, at the request of the Government of Samoa organized and conducted a training workshop for Customs, trade officials and key stakeholders on technical aspects of determining Rules of Origin (ROO) in Free Trade Agreements (FTA) from 21st to 23rd February, 2011, This was held at the...more
17 February 2011
Under the arrangement made by the Head of the OCO Secretariat, Mr Kulu Bloomfield, The Head of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Regional Office of Capacity Building for the Asia Pacific region (ROCB/AP), Mr. Yoshihiro Kosaka, visited the Secretariat on Thursday 10th February as part of his famil...more
31 January 2011
The OCO Secretariat in conjunction with Pacific Immigration Directors’ Conference (PIDC) and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) delivered a training workshop on Border Control Management at the Melanesian Hotel in Port Vila, Vanuatu on the 26-27th January, 2011. The training was attende...more
18 January 2011
The Regional Trade Facilitation Programme (RTFP) was established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in September 2004 by Forum member countries in accordance with the articles regarding trade facilitation of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER). The activities for...more
18 January 2011
Following a Letter of Intent committing to start the process of implementing the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards by Samoa Customs Service, the WCO agreed to send three WCO accredited officers to conduct a study of Samoa Customs both in terms of its overall capacity and the SAFE standards.
The WCO t...more
18 January 2011
In response to a request by Her Majesty’s Niue Customs and with funding from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), an OCO team visited Niue between the 1st and 11th November 2010.
The OCO Diagnostic team was led and conducted by Mr Clement Taipala, Law Enforcement and ...more
18 January 2011
This Report represents the completion of the activities undertaken under the funding Grant of 50,000 euro to OCO from the European Union.
Click here to read more......more
07 January 2011
The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) Annual Conference held in May 2010 directed that the OCO Secretariat coordinate with an independent consultant(s) to undertake a review of the functions, responsibilities and mandate of the OCO Steering Committee. Findings of the review are to be submitted to t...more
31 December 2010
The Oceania Customs Organization Secretariat (OCO) in conjunction with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) delivered Training Workshops under the auspicious of the Montreal Protocol relating to the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) for Customs officials and key stake...more
31 December 2010
At the request of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the Oceania Customs Organization Secretariat (OCO) in conjunction with Solomon Islands Customs & Excise Department (SICED) conducted a survey to establish Training Needs on CITES in Honiara, Solomon Islands from the 17th to 19th...more
15 December 2010
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21 July 2010
The OPCW, in collaboration with the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), organized the first ever dedicated sub-regional training course for customs authorities and representatives of National Authorities from the Pacific Islands States on the Technical Aspects of the Transfers’ regime of the C...more
04 January 2010
In the early morning of June 09 2004, a joint team of about 50 Fiji Customs and Police officers simultaneously raided two warehouses, two residential homes and a business complex, in relation to the setup of a clandestine lab. Two locals and four nationals were arrested, all of Asian background.
...more
04 December 2009
The Fiji Minister of Finance and National Planning, Ratu Jone Yavala Kubabola formally opened the conference and welcomed delegates and observers to Fiji and to the Conference, noting that the world has changed significantly in recent times with the need for strengthening trade security and combatin...more
04 December 2009
The Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority (FIRCA) hosted the 8th Annual Conference of Customs Heads of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO) from the 13th to the 17th of March 2006. Mr Tevita Banuve, the Chief Executive of FIRCA chaired the Conference.
The Conference was attended by eighteen ...more
