LEAP III Timor-Leste Customs Sector Assessment

To build upon the customs modernization reforms currently being undertaken by the Customs Authority in Timor-Leste, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Learning, Evaluation, and Analysis Project (LEAP III), on behalf of USAID/Timor-Leste, assessed the current operational and legal environment within the customs sector. The review sought, inter alia, to determine the Authority’s adherence to international norms and best practices, with a particular focus on trade facilitation. The LEAP III team assessed the commitment and capacity of various stakeholders involved in cross-border trade, including customs authorities, customs brokers, transporters, freight forwarders, and members of the business community. The assessment also includes an overview of technical assistance provided by USAID to the Customs Authority since 2017 and the impact of the activities undertaken to date. Overall, the assessment has sought to identify any continuing gaps in the government’s customs reform efforts and to provide recommendations for further assistance.