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World customs organization (WCO)
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Text 1
Task 1. Read and translate the text.
The history of WCO began in 1948 when thirteen European governments set up two committees – a European Economic Committee (later – World Trade Organization) and a Customs Committee. In 1952 the Customs Committee became the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC). After years of membership growth, in 1994 the Council adopted the working name World Customs Organization (WCO).
The WCO has 171 members. The WCO headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
The WCO was set up to enhance the efficiency of customs administrations. To fulfill this mission, the WCO:
* establishes and promotes international instruments for uniform application of customs procedures governing the movement of commodities, people and conveyances across customs frontiers;
* reinforces Members’ efforts to interdict and disrupt the illicit trade and to combat customs and other transnational offences;
* assists Members in their efforts to improve the management and working methods of Customs administrations and to share the best practices.
Besides, the WCO has worked out and maintains the international Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System and Goods Nomenclature which are used to classify goods for tariff purposes.
The WCO is currently the only intergovernmental organization exclusively focused on customs matters. The WCO is recognized for its work in areas covering:
- the development of global standards;
- the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures;
- the facilitation of international trade;
- the enhancement of customs enforcement and compliance activities;
- the anti-counterfeiting and piracy initiatives, etc.
Nowadays, the WCO is responsible for processing more than 98% of the world trade and is trying to adapt to changing circumstances and meet the challenges of modern business environment.
Working on the text
Task 2. How many international words can you find in the text?
a) 15 b) 20 c) 25 d) 30
Task 3. а)Match to make word combinations:
| offences nomenclature growth purposes matter application environment description |
uniform__________
transnational __________
commodity __________
tariff __________
customs ___________
business __________
membership ___________
goods __________
b) Make 5 sentences of your own with the word combinations.
Task 4. What do these abbreviations stand for?
WTO
WCO
UN
TIR
CBP
K-9
EU
VAT
HS
FSB
UFO
CITES
Task 5. Insert prepositions:
| for (2) to as with in (2) between on by at |
The World Trade Organization (WTO) came into being on January 1, 1995, and is the successor ____ the General Agreement ___ Tariff and Trade (GATT), which was created ___ 1948, and continued to operate ___ almost five decades ___ an international organization. The WTO deals ___ the rules of trade ___nations ___ a global level. It is responsible ___ negotiating and implementing new trade agreements, signed ___ the world’s trading nations.
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The WTO headquarters are ___ Geneva, Switzerland.
Task 6. Choose the best word for each gap:
Where international (1) __________ is concerned the WCO is strengthening its (2) __________ with Interpol, the European Commission, WTO, and the Council of Europe in order (3) __________ that the efforts in the fight against (4) __________ and piracy come together. The organizations cooperate and maintain (5) __________ exchange of information on matters of interest which include invitations to meetings, joint (6) __________activities, exchange of experts and support for (7) __________ that continue to harmonize standards in the customs sector.
| A | B | C | |
| 1. | valuation | restriction | cooperation |
| 2. | partnership | merchandise | shipment |
| 3. | to disrupt | to combat | to ensure |
| 4. | negotiations | counterfeiting | facilities |
| 5. | systematic | challenging | identical |
| 6. | smuggling | training | wholesale |
| 7. | concealments | release | initiatives |
Text 2
Task 7. a) Read and translate the text.
WHY IS CUSTOMS MODERNISATION NECESSARY?
It is true that Customs’ role is primarily about the control of goods crossing borders. There is, however, nuance in this because Customs administrations have different functions, resources and authority.
Some Customs administrations make emphasis on duty collection. For others, non-financial matters like narcotics trafficking and security take priority. On the other hand, nations with low import tariffs are determined to improve trade facilitation. Some administrations do not use risk management and post audit control and instead attempt to physically inspect every consignment. Thus, Customs must strive to achieve balance.
The WCO takes a strategic management approach to promote modernization in all areas of Customs roles and responsibilities, including revenue collection, trade facilitation, enforcement, and security, in order to strike balance.
It is evident that an administration that focuses on revenue collection can learn from an administration that focuses on trade facilitation or security, and consequently boost revenue collection. An administration that focuses on security can learn from an administration that focuses on trade facilitation or revenue collection, and strengthen security, and so on.
Thus, a facilitated Customs process leads to security. At the same time, a secured Customs process leads to facilitation.
b) Make a glossary. Choose seven words to remember.
c) Make 5 questions to the text and answer them.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Task 8. Find the word that doesn’t fit the group and explain why.
1. whose – whole – when – who – which
2. into – under – but – during – behind
3. found – held – came – carried – began
4. immediately – approximately – especially – relatively
5. month – day – year – week – date
6. import – export – production – market – conclusion
7. fraud – raid – evasion – intrigue – cheat
8. tax – payment – penalty – success
Task 9. a) Read and translate the text.
Shots are fired almost every night on the Nemunas River, creating a natural frontier separating the European Union from Russia. It is the front line of Lithuania’s fight to stem a multi-million-dollar trade in cigarettes smuggled in from the western Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
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Armed with helicopters, automatic weapons and night-vision scopes, Lithuanian border guards try to find an invisible army of smugglers who use high speed boats to push their wares across. Counterfeit cigarettes are typically floated by swimmers wearing black diving suits and dragging caravans of waterproof crates. Their accomplices are waiting on the opposite banks with trucks to take the load to secret warehouses in small villages. From there, they are distributed nationwide.
Border guards have detained dozens of smugglers who are willing to risk their lives. To the Lithuanian and Russian gangs, it’s worth the risk because huge money is at stake. Lithuania loses millions of euro every year because according to the survey every third smoked cigarette came into the country illegally.
The smugglers are wily and work hand-in-glove to avoid capture. Border guards cannot build a wall in the middle of the river but with more time, technology and money they can seize more contraband.
b) Explain the meaning of the underlined expressions in English.
c) Answer the questions.
1) What customs violation is described in the text?
2) What is the object of smuggling?
3) How are smuggled goods transported across the border?
4) What tools do border guards use to stem the violation?
5) What measures do you think can help to solve the problem?
Task 10. Complete the sentences and translate them into Russian.
1. More flights and greater number of passengers require increased vigilance and greater awareness of the potential for drug smuggling _____ additional expense and delays to the airport and its customers.
| A. being prevented | B. to prevent | C. having to prevent |
2. National legislation shall specify the conditions _____ and the Customs formalities to be accomplished for the clearance of goods for Home Use.
| A. to fulfill | B. fulfilling | C. to be fulfilled |
3. If various legal instruments ____, many countries would have found it difficult to deal with smuggling.
| A. were not created | B. having been created | C. had not been created |
4. Preventive officers _____ to use their own initiative when it comes to establishing target areas.
| A. encourage | B. being encouraged | C. are encouraged |
5. The fact that certain valuation practices can have restrictive effects on international trade _____ at the Tokyo Round of negotiations.
| A. was recognized | B. is being recognized | C. have to recognize |
6. Free zones make the Temporary admission procedure simpler _____ the need to exercise the usual customs control measures.
| A. by reducing | B. being reduced | C. to reduce |
7. Information about the functioning of the dual-channel system _____ at tourist and airline agencies, airports and other interested bodies.
| A. to be available | B. should to be available | C. should be available |
Task 11. Complete the text with the correct form of the following words.
| WCO News reporter: ” With China having benefitted over the last two decades from __________ economic and trade __________, how much of this boom can be directly tied to the reform and modernization of China Customs?” Wu Hailong, China’s Ambassador to the European Union: “Over the last two decades, China Customs has adapted itself well to the __________ and changing import and export environment, and has made important __________ to the growth of the Chinese economy. We have introduced a new management concept, accelerated the reform of __________ supervision, and improved trade __________. We have optimized the management of the __________ business, which has spearheaded the growth of China’s foreign trade. We have introduced __________ technologies to accelerate clearance speed. Today, Customs has fully integrated e-Administration, e-Customs, e-Port systems, significantly __________ time and cost of customs clearance. We have strengthened international cooperation and drawn best practices from abroad. | to remark to grow to complicate to contribute to clear to facilitate to manufacture to advance to reduce |
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Task 12. a)Decipher the text:
1. Business 2. Customs investigation
An American company specializing in the design and manufacture of capacitors, CSI Technology Inc, received an enquiry from UK representative regarding the purchase of capacitors. The president of CSI Jerry Kowalsky suspected that the capacitors may have been intended for use in a nuclear device, and reported his suspicions to the U.S. Customs Service. Kowalsky established that the initial enquiry had come from Euromac, a British registered company. He started to negotiate on the price and specifications directly with Euromac. A meeting between the manufacturer, Euromac, and the Iraqi end-user was arranged in London. An undercover U.S. Customs officer, acting as the export manager of CSI, tape recorded the meeting. All the telephone calls to Euromac were also monitored and recorded by UK Customs Investigators. Finally, 40 capacitors arrived in the UK packaged in two boxes bound together into one crate. On arrival, the crate was secured by UK Customs Investigators and substituted by a similarly packaged crate containing inoperable capacitors. Charges for duty and VAT amounting £1,346 were subsequently paid. Surveillance was maintained on the boxes as they were taken to Heathrow Airport to be delivered to Bagdad. At this stage the boxes were intercepted and detained by Customs Investigators.
(THE PORTCULLIS)
b) Answer the questions:
1. What helped to reveal the criminal scheme?
2. How is that kind of operation called?
Task 13. Make a written translation of the text and think about the title for it.
It seems that everything relies on computers nowadays – communication (email, cellphones), entertainment (digital cable, mp3), transportation (car engine systems, airplane navigation), shopping (online stores, credit cards), medicine (equipment, medical records), etc.
How much of your daily life relies on computers? How much of your personal information is stored on your computer? Cyber security involves protecting information by preventing, detecting, and responding to attacks.
There are many risks, some more serious than others. Among these dangers are viruses erasing your entire system, someone breaking into your system and altering files, someone using your computer to attack others, or someone stealing your credit card information and making unauthorized purchases. Unfortunately, there is no 100% guarantee that even with the best precautions some of these things won’t happen to you.
Task 14. Make a written translation of the text into English.
Сегодня в работу таможенных органов активно внедряются современные информационные технологии, позволяющие значительно повысить оперативность таможенного оформления грузов при прохождении их через пункты пропуска и улучшить качество обслуживания участников внешнеэкономической деятельности. На таможенных пунктах пропуска используются современные технические средства таможенного контроля, новейшее оборудование, в том числе обеспечивающее эффективный радиационный контроль. Совершенствуется работа правоохранительных подразделений таможенных органов. В целях борьбы с контрабандой оружия, наркотиков, взрывчатых веществ, а также противодействуя торговле людьми и прочим преступлениям, таможенники ведут ежедневную кропотливую работу по обеспечению контроля за соблюдением таможенного законодательства, основанного на принципах и нормах международного права.
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Speaking
Task 15. Complete the sentences:
1) The WCO was set up to...
2) The mission of the WCO is to...
3) The Goods Nomenclature is used to...
4) The WCO focuses on...
Task 16. Get ready to speak on the topic. Use the vocabulary of the unit.
Communication activities.
Task 17. Work in groups. Discuss the following questions.
1. What would happen if there were no Customs?
2. What would happen if every Customs administration leader were a woman?
3. What would happen if computers replaced Customs officers?
Task 18. a ) Read the text. It is said that Mother Teresa had this on her wall.
Anyway
People are often
unreasonable and self-centred.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind,
people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest,
people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness,
people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today
may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have,
and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end,
it is between you and God.
It never was between you and them anyway.
b) What do you think about it? What would you put on the wall of your room?
Task 19. Discuss with you partner which of your group-mates:
1. … is known for outstanding leadership qualities.
2. … is known for consistent enthusiasm, dedication to his/her studies.
3 … played a remarkable role in developing the RCA’s sports and social activities.
4. … is respected for his/her exceptional planning and organizational skills.
5. … is always available to assist and encourage other students.
6. … is known for his/her sense of humour and ability to put people at ease.
7. … is known to be very lucky at the exams.
8. … (your own idea of a nomination)
9. … (your own idea of a nomination)
10. …(your own idea of a nomination)
VOCABULARY
| to set up | основывать |
| World Customs Organization | Всемирная таможенная организация |
| World Trade Organization | Всемирная торговая организация |
| Customs Cooperation Council | Совет таможенного сотрудничества |
| membership growth | рост членства |
| headquarters | штаб-квартира |
| to enhance / enhancement | повышать / повышение |
| efficient / efficiency | эффективная / эффективность |
| to fulfill | выполнить |
| to promote / promotion | содействовать, поощрять / содействие, поощрение |
| to reinforce | укреплять |
| to disrupt | сорвать |
| illicit syn. illegal | незаконный син. незаконный |
| to combat | бороться |
| to offend / offence | зд. нарушить / нарушение, преступление |
| to practice / practice | практиковать, применять / практика |
| to maintain / maintenance | обслуживать / обслуживание |
| to harmonize | согласовывать |
| Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System | Гармонизированная система описания и кодирования товаров |
| intergovernmental organization | межправительственная организация |
| to focus on customs matters | сосредоточиться на таможенных вопросах |
| simplification | упрощение |
| enhancement | повышение, расширение, увеличение |
| to challenge / challenge | бросить вызов / вызов |
| environment | окружающая среда |
| to adapt to | адаптироваться к |
| changing circumstances | меняющиеся обстоятельства |
| circumstance | обстоятельство |
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ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
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