Samoa commemorated International Customs Day on Friday.

With the actual day falling on a Saturday (yesterday), the Ministry of Revenue moved the celebration a day forward to allow all the Ministry staff to take part.

The celebration was guided by the theme “Smart Borders for seamless trade, travel and transport.”

Throughout the week, the Ministry of Revenue had been carrying out different activities to reflect the theme. 

Friday’s ceremony started in the morning with staff assembling in front of the Customs Office in Matautu.

The CEO of the Ministry, Matafeo Avalisa Fautuaalii, highlighted the importance of International Customs day during her keynote address.

The staff members were then divided in three teams and each was given a topic for a group presentation.

International Customs Day is celebrated by customs organizations all over the world, to commemorate the very first official conference of the Customs Co-operation Council.

World Customs Organization, having over 177 custom administration members, is called as the only intergovernmental organization which solely highlights on the customs matters. 

World Customs Organization was established in the year 1952 as an autonomous body to enhance the efficacy and effectiveness of the customs administrations all across the world.