Uruguay becomes the 141st Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention

Uruguay becomes the 141st Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention

Brussels, 17 October 2011

Press release

On 17 October 2011, the Ambassador of Uruguay to Belgium, H.E. Walter Cancela, deposited Uruguay’s instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System) at the Secretariat of the World Customs Organization.

Considering that more than 98 % of international merchandise trade is classified in terms of the Harmonized System, the World Customs Organization is pleased to welcome Uruguay as the 141st Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention and looks forward to Uruguay’s active participation with respect to Harmonized System matters.

Uruguay has been a Member of the World Customs Organization since 16 September 1977 and is a country in the south-eastern part of South America. Its principal export commodities are beef, soy, rice, wood, malt, and dairy products. The country’s main import commodities are crude oil, fuels, telephony equipment, computers, information technology equipment and agricultural machinery.
The Harmonized System Convention will enter into force in Uruguay on 1 January 2012.

PHOTO: Ambassador of Uruguay to Belgium, H. E. Walter Cancela, Deputy Secretary General, Sergio Mujica, Deputy Directorof Tariff and Trade Affairs, Craig Clark and Chairperson of the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation, Guzmán Mañes