In the era of economic globalization, tax and customs administration has become a core element of national competitiveness. Latin America faces increasingly complex international trade environments that demand higher professional standards from tax and customs officials.
To address these challenges, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain's Institute of Fiscal Studies (IEF) have partnered with the National Distance Education University (UNED) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to create an Advanced Training Program in Tax and Customs Administration. This initiative aims to enhance strategic skills and tools for tax and customs professionals across Latin America.
Program Overview
The Advanced Training Program in Tax and Customs Administration is a flagship project developed by the IMF through its Central America, Panama, and Dominican Republic Technical Assistance Center (CAPTAC-DR) in collaboration with IEF. The program receives support from UNED and operates within the framework of the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Program (GTFP).
This hybrid program combines online and in-person learning over 14 weeks, covering all aspects of modern tax and customs administration. The curriculum examines current trends and best practices including risk management, compliance strategies, international taxation, customs valuation, rules of origin, supply chain security, and trade facilitation measures.
Key Features
- Internationally recognized certification: Joint certification from IMF and IEF carries global credibility
- Expert faculty: Instructors from international organizations, government agencies, and private sector share cutting-edge knowledge
- Practical case studies: Real-world scenarios enhance applied learning through discussions and simulations
- Flexible learning model: Hybrid format accommodates diverse participant needs
- International networking: Connects professionals across borders for knowledge exchange
- Regional customization: Content tailored specifically for Latin American contexts
- Ongoing support: Continued access to learning resources after program completion
Target Participants
The program is designed for senior officials from tax and customs administrations across Latin America, government policymakers involved in fiscal and trade regulation, corporate executives engaged in international commerce, and academic researchers in related fields.
Curriculum Structure
Comprehensive Knowledge Framework
The program delivers systematic training across two main domains:
Tax Administration: Covers international taxation principles, transfer pricing, tax treaties, revenue collection systems, and risk management approaches.
Customs Management: Addresses valuation methodologies, origin determination, commodity classification, supply chain security protocols, and trade facilitation implementation.
Practical Training Methodology
The instructional approach emphasizes hands-on learning through case analysis, group problem-solving, scenario simulations, and expert-led masterclasses featuring practitioners from multilateral institutions and national agencies.
Program Impact
Previous program cycles (2020-2022) trained over 40 senior officials from 10 Latin American countries, including beneficiaries from SECO-WCO GTFP participant nations like Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru. Participants reported significant improvements in implementing modern trade facilitation measures and compliance strategies within their respective administrations.
Future Development
The fifth program cycle, scheduled for late November, will focus on developing contemporary leadership competencies for customs and tax executives, with particular emphasis on voluntary compliance mechanisms and administrative modernization. The curriculum will incorporate enhanced private sector engagement through corporate participation in instructional sessions.
Global Trade Facilitation Context
The SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Program (GTFP) supports developing countries in implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement through technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. The program works with customs administrations to develop customized solutions including legal framework reviews, risk management systems, technology applications, and professional training initiatives.