ODS Refrigerant Equipment Trade Issues experienced at the

ODS, Refrigerant & Equipment Trade Issues experienced at the border: Case of Botswana October 2018 Presented by: Tumelo Swele

Background • Control of ODS is within the Customs mandate since one of Customs mandate is to control imports and exports in order to safeguard health and protect society from undesirable imports. • ODS regulations were published in Nov 2014 and MET Services engaged BURS-Customs in 2015 in preparation for implementation • Drafting of Procedure Manual began and was finalized in 2016

Training of Customs Officers • What ozone depletion is and its effects • Customs Officer’s role at ports of entries ; • Scrutinize Import/export documents • Verify HS-code, Country of Origin & the value of the consignment • Check for Import/Export/Transit Permit &Validity • Customs Check List • Motives for Smuggling • Smuggling Schemes • Use of Refrigerant Analyzer • Quota Import/Export Permit

Training of Customs Officers cont’ • Enforcement Measures • Increase awareness of Clearing Agents, Importers & Exporters • Use of the Refrigerant analyzer to detect illegal trade of ODS • Seize non-compliant consignments (Customs Act) • Use X-ray scanners to check for concealments • Use of Risk Profiling and intelligence • Collaboration with the National Ozone Unit • Preclearance (Customs Mgt. System)

Conclusion Botswana has no specific ODS trade issues since implementation has been deferred in order to capacitate key stakeholders first such as Customs Officers and Clearing Agents. Anticipated Challenges - Lack of storage facilities at our ports of entries - Forged/invalid permits - Concealments, mislabeling of canisters as non ODS