PREAMBLE The High Contracting Parties NOTING that divergences between national Customs laws and procedures can hamper intra-SADC trade and other intra-SADC exchanges; MINDFUL of the need to promote trade and foster co-operation among Member States; CONSIDERING that simplification and harmonisation of Customs laws and procedures can effectively contribute to the development of intra-SADC trade and other intra-SADC exchange; CONVINCED that implementation of the provisions of the present Annex would lead progressively to a high degree of simplification and harmonisation of Customs procedures which is the objective of Article 13 of the Trade Protocol; HEREBY AGREE as follows; ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS “Customs Authorities” means the administrative authority responsible for administering Customs Laws; “Customs Legislation” means legal instruments adopted by the Member States and governing the import, export, transit of goods and their placing under any Customs procedure, including measures of prohibition, restrictions and control; “Customs offence” means any breach or attempted breach of Customs Law;