Tanzania Upgrades Border Security with Smart Risk Management

Tanzania Upgrades Border Security with Smart Risk Management

Tanzania, with assistance from the World Customs Organization and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is upgrading its customs risk management framework. This aims to enhance customs efficiency, promote trade facilitation, and combat smuggling through more precise risk identification and response. The upgrade is a significant step towards improving the country's customs administration and contributing to national economic development and trade security. The improved framework will allow for better resource allocation and targeted interventions, ultimately streamlining trade processes and reducing illicit activities.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

With the support of the EU-WCO Harmonized System Programme for Africa, the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) organized a national commodity classification workshop. This initiative aims to enhance the commodity classification skills of customs officers, address issues such as incorrect classification and false declarations, and close tax loopholes. By combining online learning with offline workshops, the program strengthens both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, building a comprehensive support system. This contributes to customs modernization, ultimately promoting economic prosperity in Namibia.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Laos Tightens Border Security with Riskbased Screening

Laos Tightens Border Security with Riskbased Screening

With the support of the World Customs Organization, the Lao People's Democratic Republic is actively building a risk-based passenger clearance mechanism through capacity-building workshops. This mechanism aims to enhance border security, improve customs clearance efficiency, and optimize resource allocation. Facing challenges in data analysis, technology application, and inter-agency collaboration, Laos' experience provides valuable lessons for other developing countries. The implementation focuses on streamlined processes and targeted inspections, improving overall border management while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Jamaica Customs Advances Strategic Plan with WCO Support

Jamaica Customs Advances Strategic Plan with WCO Support

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) in developing a three-year strategic plan. This plan aims to integrate customs reform, modernization, and trade facilitation measures. A workshop was held to build consensus and lay the groundwork for future collaboration. This initiative will support the JCA's modernization efforts and enhance Jamaica's national competitiveness. The strategic plan is expected to guide the JCA in streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and fostering a more conducive environment for international trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Aids Guatemala in Boosting Trade for Economic Growth

WCO Aids Guatemala in Boosting Trade for Economic Growth

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the Mercator Programme, provides technical assistance to Guatemala's Tax Administration (SAT) to effectively implement trade facilitation measures. Following an assessment, a WCO expert team offered recommendations for improvement, covering areas such as information transparency, procedural simplification, risk management, inter-agency cooperation, and private sector involvement. The WCO committed to providing follow-up support to help Guatemala enhance trade efficiency and promote economic growth. This initiative aims to streamline customs processes and boost Guatemala's participation in global trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Egypt Boosts Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Customs Modernization

Egypt Boosts Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Customs Modernization

The Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA), with the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO), has developed a new vision, mission, and strategic plan. By enhancing customs efficiency, strengthening risk management, promoting compliance, improving transparency, and fostering international cooperation, the ECA aims to become an efficient, transparent, and trustworthy customs agency, contributing to Egypt's economic prosperity. This strategic transformation will improve Egypt's trade competitiveness and provide a reference for other developing countries. The plan focuses on modernization and alignment with international best practices.

01/27/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO JICA Team Up to Enhance African Trade Facilitation

WCO JICA Team Up to Enhance African Trade Facilitation

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are strengthening their collaboration to enhance trade facilitation in Africa. This initiative focuses on improving Africa's competitiveness in global value chains through the development of One-Stop Border Posts, capacity building, and the optimization of trade corridors. The WCO Secretary General also lectured scholarship students on strategic priorities, emphasizing information exchange, agreement implementation, and e-commerce regulation. These efforts aim to support sustainable economic development across the African continent.

01/27/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Kenya Boost Trade Facilitation at WTO Conference

WCO Kenya Boost Trade Facilitation at WTO Conference

During the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference, the WCO and KRA jointly hosted a side event to discuss the implementation experiences and challenges of trade facilitation measures. The meeting highlighted the importance of political will, inter-agency collaboration, public-private partnerships, international cooperation, and standardized regulations, aiming to promote global trade development. The discussions focused on practical solutions and strategies to overcome obstacles in implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, emphasizing the need for a collaborative and holistic approach to achieve its objectives.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Pacific Islands Enhance Customs Skills Via WCO Training Program

Pacific Islands Enhance Customs Skills Via WCO Training Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched a Harmonized System (HS) expert development program for Pacific Island Countries, aiming to enhance customs capacity in the region by building a regional pool of experts. The first working group activity was held in October 2021, with the participation of customs administrations from six countries, including Fiji and Papua New Guinea. This initiative, a collaboration between the WCO and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), seeks to promote trade development and economic cooperation among Pacific Island Countries.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Adopts APIPNR Data to Enhance Border Security

Uzbekistan Adopts APIPNR Data to Enhance Border Security

With the support of the World Customs Organization, Uzbekistan Customs actively introduced the Advance Passenger Information System by hosting a national API/PNR workshop. This aims to improve passenger control processes and build an automated risk management system. The initiative emphasizes data sharing and inter-agency cooperation to achieve precise supervision, improve customs clearance efficiency, and ensure national security. The implementation of API/PNR is expected to streamline operations and enhance the effectiveness of customs controls through a data-driven approach.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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