Customs officers from five Pacific nations have strengthened their knowledge and skills in advanced taxation rules and automated customs clearance processes using ASYCUDAWorld, during a week-long Regional Technical Training held in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) enables countries to manage complex and advanced taxation rules through a highly configurable and automated system, tailored to each nation’s tariff structure and customs legislation.

The system facilitates the calculation, application, and management of various duties, taxes, and fees related to international trade procedures.

13 customs officers from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea took part in the training, organized under the UN Trade and Development’s ASYCUDA Programme for the Pacific.

The initiative reflects the programme’s continued support for member countries participating in the ASYCUDA Support Mechanism Pacific (ASMP).

Ms. Katarina Musumoto from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service said the training allowed participants to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.

“I made errors, learnt how to understand and correct the rules before applying them in accordance with the stakeholders,” Ms. Musumoto shared. “It was a valuable opportunity to put theory into practice, which maddce learning easier.”

Ms. Ann Warsel, Operations Officer at the Vanuatu Customs Service, highlighted the clarity the training provided.

“The training clearly answered the when, why, and how to create rules,” she said.

Additionally, Ms. Julie Setu from the Papua New Guinea Customs, added the training offered super useful in understanding rules and how they are applied.

“I look forward to applying this knowledge to enhance processes when back at home,” Ms. Setu stated.

The training concluded on Friday 31 October 2025.

Thank you to the Vanuatu Customs Service for hosting the 2025 Regional Technical Training for ASMP member countries.