Kyoto Convention Review Urges Business Input on Trade Facilitation

Kyoto Convention Review Urges Business Input on Trade Facilitation

The revised Kyoto Convention's comprehensive review is entering a crucial consultation phase. Businesses should actively participate to understand key issues like data, electronic declarations, perishable goods, AEO, security, and customs control. Engage through industry associations and the WCO to voice concerns, assess the impact, and adjust strategies. This is vital to prepare for the evolving landscape of global trade facilitation and ensure compliance with updated customs procedures under the Kyoto Convention. Understanding these changes is paramount for smooth and efficient international trade operations.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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OMD OSCE Target Cultural Heritage Trafficking in Eastern Europe Central Asia

OMD OSCE Target Cultural Heritage Trafficking in Eastern Europe Central Asia

The WCO and OSCE jointly organized a virtual PITCH training to enhance the capacity of customs administrations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to combat the trafficking of cultural property. The training covered key areas such as identification, risk assessment, and international cooperation. This initiative aims to strengthen regional efforts in protecting cultural heritage by equipping customs officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively identify and intercept illicit cultural artifacts, fostering collaboration across borders to disrupt smuggling networks.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Boosts Anticounterfeit Efforts with Rights Holders

WCO Boosts Anticounterfeit Efforts with Rights Holders

The World Customs Organization (WCO) convened another meeting of the Global Congress on Combating Trafficking in Counterfeit and Pirated Goods (GCTD), aiming to strengthen communication between rights holders and customs authorities to combat counterfeit goods. The outcomes of this meeting will directly influence the work of the WCO's Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy (CAP) Group, providing crucial support for global intellectual property protection. This collaboration is essential for effectively addressing the challenges posed by the trade in fake and pirated products.

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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Cambodia Deploys Raman Spectrometers to Tighten Border Security

Cambodia Deploys Raman Spectrometers to Tighten Border Security

Under the WCO Asia Pacific Security Project, funded by the Japanese government, Cambodian Customs has introduced Raman spectrometers for rapid and accurate identification of explosive precursors. This initiative, involving equipment donation and professional training, aims to enhance Cambodia's border security enforcement capabilities. It effectively combats the smuggling of explosive precursors, safeguarding national security and social stability. This effort serves as a valuable reference for customs administrations in other developing countries seeking to strengthen their border control measures against illicit trafficking.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Package Enhances Global Trade Competitiveness

WCO Package Enhances Global Trade Competitiveness

The World Customs Organization's Economic Competitiveness Package (ECP), launched in 2012, has made significant progress in enhancing global trade efficiency and promoting sustainable economic development. Through awareness-raising, tool promotion, best practice collection, and new tool development, the ECP is steadily advancing. It contributes to building a more open, efficient, and secure global trading environment. The ECP's multi-faceted approach ensures comprehensive support for customs administrations worldwide in their efforts to boost economic competitiveness through streamlined trade procedures and enhanced collaboration.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Zimbabwe Enhances Trade Efficiency with Crossborder Agency Reforms

Zimbabwe Enhances Trade Efficiency with Crossborder Agency Reforms

With support from the UK government and the World Customs Organization, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority successfully held a cross-border regulatory agency seminar. The seminar aimed to enhance risk management capabilities and collaborative cooperation, ultimately promoting trade facilitation. The goal is to create an efficient and convenient trading environment and inject momentum into economic development. The workshop focused on best practices and strategies for streamlining customs procedures and mitigating potential risks, contributing to a more secure and predictable trade landscape for Zimbabwe.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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New HS 2028 Codes Target Plastic Waste Trade for Environmental Compliance

New HS 2028 Codes Target Plastic Waste Trade for Environmental Compliance

The HS 2028 customs coding system has been updated to include specific subheadings for plastic waste. This enhancement allows for more accurate identification and tracking of transboundary movements of hazardous plastic waste. This update assists customs authorities and businesses in effectively implementing the Basel Convention, contributing to global efforts to address the growing plastic pollution crisis. The new subheadings provide a more granular level of detail, enabling better monitoring and control of plastic waste shipments and supporting international cooperation in environmental protection.

02/12/2026 HS Code Query
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Asiapacific Tightens Green Trade Rules with Stricter Enforcement

Asiapacific Tightens Green Trade Rules with Stricter Enforcement

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held an Asia-Pacific regional seminar in Malaysia, aiming to enhance member states' enforcement capabilities regarding Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and address the challenges of illegal trade. The seminar focused on improving knowledge and skills, sharing best practices, and promoting international cooperation to collectively build a green trade barrier in the Asia-Pacific region, contributing to global environmental protection. This initiative seeks to strengthen customs' role in combating environmental crime and fostering sustainable trade practices within the region.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Air Freight Firms Tackle Waybill Errors to Cut Costs

Air Freight Firms Tackle Waybill Errors to Cut Costs

This paper analyzes the handling process of errors in international air freight bill of lading (B/L) information from a data analyst's perspective. It provides professional advice on risk control and cost optimization for different stages, including pre-customs declaration and pre-departure, post-customs declaration and pre-departure, in-flight transportation, and post-arrival. The paper emphasizes key considerations such as cargo ownership, authorization, and document consistency. It aims to help enterprises effectively address B/L amendment challenges and improve operational efficiency.

02/03/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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