The customs code or Customs Procedure Code provides the reason for an export or import. The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS Code) is a tariff nomenclature of international standardized names and numbers to classify goods traded.

The objectives of the Customs code include the promotion of the uniform application of the regional tariff regime as well as provide a mechanism for the operationalization of the instrument.

In November 2017, the Directors-General from ECOWAS Member States met to consider the draft Customs Code subsequently adopted in December 2017 and ready for implementation. The implementing text is currently being developed to ensure its smooth and effective operationalization.

A number of Trainers from the fifteen (15) ECOWAS Member States have attended trainer of trainers’ workshops to aid in the sensitization, awareness creation as well as relevant aspects of the operationalization of the code.