Imagine a scenario where customs departments across a region operate as a well-trained team, efficiently identifying and addressing various risks—how much safer and more efficient would trade become? Under the guidance of the World Customs Organization (WCO), customs authorities in the Americas and Caribbean region are making steady progress toward this vision.
From October 21 to 25, 2013, the WCO hosted a risk management workshop at its Regional Training Center in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Sponsored by Japan, this event was part of a series of regional initiatives aimed at enhancing risk management capabilities and fostering cooperation among customs administrations.
Key Workshop Outcomes
- Enhanced Risk Management Skills: Participants deepened their understanding of risk identification, assessment, and mitigation techniques through practical exercises.
- Strengthened Regional Collaboration: Officials from 18 countries shared best practices and coordinated strategies to combat cross-border threats.
- Implementation of WCO Tools: The workshop focused on applying the WCO Risk Management Compendium and compliance enforcement toolkits.
- Lessons from "Operation Dragon": Participants analyzed results from this successful regional textile undervaluation enforcement action.
- New Regional Initiative: Attendees designed a follow-up project to maintain momentum in information sharing and joint operations.
Workshop Highlights
The five-day event brought together 23 representatives who engaged in hands-on learning activities and knowledge exchanges. Participants examined technical concepts from the WCO Risk Management Compendium and explored supplementary compliance tools to support field operations.
Discussions centered on "Operation Dragon," a recent regional effort targeting textile undervaluation. Attendees reviewed national and regional outcomes, implementation challenges, and optimal use of WCO communication platforms. The operation's positive impact across participating administrations was particularly noted.
Beyond classroom sessions, delegates visited the Port of Haina Oriental in the Dominican Republic for operational insights.
Operation Dragon: A Model for Regional Enforcement
This successful initiative against textile undervaluation—a practice that erodes tariff revenue and disadvantages legitimate trade—demonstrated three critical success factors:
- Intelligence Sharing: Customs agencies exchanged trade data including pricing, origins, and destinations to identify high-risk shipments.
- Synchronized Inspections: Coordinated border checks increased detection rates while deterring potential violators.
- Public Awareness: Timely information releases educated businesses about compliance requirements.
Future Directions
Building on the workshop's foundation, regional customs administrations plan to:
- Establish permanent information exchange protocols
- Conduct joint training exercises
- Enhance public-private partnerships
- Integrate advanced technologies like data analytics and AI into risk assessment processes
Through sustained collaboration, customs authorities aim to develop robust risk management systems that safeguard regional trade while promoting economic stability.