News

Suva, Fiji, 29 March, 2021 – OCO members are preparing for the implementation of HS 2022, which is the seventh edition of the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature that will come into force on 1 January 2022. “As a region, we need to work together and prepare for this huge task of implementing HS 2022 when…

Suva, Fiji, 08 April, 2021- The Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO), supported by the Australia Border Force (ABF) is helping Fijian border law enforcement agencies prepare for the opening of borders by providing training on the use of the Pacific Small Craft App, that will assist in collecting data for small crafts such as yachts. “Small…

Suva, Fiji, 31 March 2021- OCO chairperson Salvador Jacob says there has been progress, but more work still needs to be done to ensure gender equality in Customs administrations in the Pacific. OCO ended its month-long celebration of the achievements of women through the Pacific Women in Customs series, which is a collection of feature…

Suva, Fiji, 30 March, 2021- The adage never judge a book by its cover holds true for Odelaffi Sato, the woman behind the Post Audit Section of the Palau Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. Armed with more than two decades of experience, she is your typical “no-nonsense” customs officer who has uncovered numerous cases…

Suva, Fiji, 30 March, 2021 – Sonia Lecomte is the deputy director of Customs in the French territory of New Caledonia, a position she has held in the last three years. She has worked for French Customs for the past 22 years, in various posts which included being head of the intelligence team at Le…

Suva, Fiji, 29 March, 2021. Palau’s Bureau of Customs and Border Protection relies on Joline Spesungel for any IT related work. Joline has been working for the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection for the last 21 years. She is now in charge of the IT section. Joline is one of those featured in the…

Suva, Fiji, 29 March 2021. The Cook Islands Customs Services (CICS) Trade and Revenue Assurance Section is an all women team. The seven-member team manages client services as well as trade and revenue assurance. Heading the team is Senior Customs Officer, Maria Matua Ioane who joined the service fresh out of college as an 18-year-old…

Suva, Fiji, 25 March 2021. Catherine Mori is the oldest female employee in the Customs and Tax Administration in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). And she may just well be the oldest female employee in the Department of FSM Finance, the jurisdiction under which her institution comes under. Beginning her career as a Revenue…