Global Customs Body Boosts Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods

Global Customs Body Boosts Crackdown on Counterfeit Goods

The World Customs Organization (WCO) signed Memorandums of Understanding with several industry associations at the 7th Global Congress on Combating Counterfeiting and Piracy. The aim is to combat counterfeit goods more effectively and protect consumer rights and brand reputation by strengthening information sharing, promoting the Public Members Interface (IPM), and providing training for customs officers. This international cooperation seeks to disrupt the flow of fake products across borders and ensure legitimate trade practices are upheld.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Lesotho Implements Customs Preruling System to Ease Trade

Lesotho Implements Customs Preruling System to Ease Trade

The WCO is assisting Lesotho in establishing a customs advance ruling system to reduce trade costs and improve customs clearance efficiency. Discussions between the two parties covered legal amendments, software upgrades, and the development of an action plan to promote economic development. This initiative aims to streamline trade processes, provide greater certainty for traders, and ultimately contribute to Lesotho's economic growth by fostering a more predictable and efficient trading environment.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Turkmenistan Seeks Trade Growth Via Harmonized System Pact

Turkmenistan Seeks Trade Growth Via Harmonized System Pact

This paper analyzes the background, benefits, and challenges of Turkmenistan's accession to the Harmonized System Convention. By reviewing the technical assistance provided by the World Customs Organization, it explores the positive impact of joining the Convention on enhancing trade facilitation and strengthening international competitiveness. The article recommends that Turkmenistan develop a detailed implementation plan, strengthen customs personnel training, conduct corporate publicity, and seek international cooperation to smoothly join and benefit from the Convention. It emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to maximize the advantages offered by the HS Convention for Turkmenistan's trade development.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Comoros Customs Adopts Harmonized System to Boost Trade

Comoros Customs Adopts Harmonized System to Boost Trade

Comoros Customs is actively preparing for the early application of the Harmonized System Convention. Through capacity-building programs funded by the African Development Bank, Customs officers are enhancing their understanding and application of the latest HS. This initiative aims to simplify customs procedures, improve trade efficiency, promote trade facilitation, and boost Comoros' international competitiveness. Support from COMESA experts will ensure the smooth integration of the HS into the customs system, laying the foundation for Comoros' integration into the global trading system.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Americas Caribbean Launch Customs Lab Network to Facilitate Trade

Americas Caribbean Launch Customs Lab Network to Facilitate Trade

The Customs Laboratory Network of the Americas and the Caribbean has officially launched, aiming to enhance regional trade facilitation through information sharing, standardization, and technical cooperation. Driven by the World Customs Organization, the network will build a cooperative framework based on existing resources. It is expected to reduce trade costs, shorten clearance times, and promote regional economic development. The initiative emphasizes collaboration among customs laboratories to improve efficiency and accuracy in customs procedures, ultimately contributing to smoother and more efficient trade flows within the region.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bahamas Enhances Trade with Wcobacked Ruling System

Bahamas Enhances Trade with Wcobacked Ruling System

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is supporting the Bahamas in developing an Advance Ruling System to enhance trade facilitation. Through workshops, Bahamian customs officials developed advance ruling application procedures, decision templates, information disclosure guidelines, and created an online database. The Advance Ruling System reduces trade risks, shortens clearance times, promotes international trade development, attracts investment, and reduces trade disputes. This initiative aims to streamline customs processes and improve the overall efficiency of trade operations in the Bahamas.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bahamas Strengthens Customs Tariffs to Increase Revenue

Bahamas Strengthens Customs Tariffs to Increase Revenue

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a national workshop in the Bahamas on the Harmonized System (HS) to enhance the Bahamas Customs' capacity in tariff classification. The workshop covered the theory and practice of HS coding, emphasizing the application of the General Rules for Interpretation and focusing on issues such as the classification of parts. Through talent development and the Mercator Program, it aims to facilitate trade in the Bahamas. The workshop also explored the relationship between HS code optimization and tax revenue growth from a data analysis perspective.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Albania Enhances Customs Lab with GCMS to Boost Revenue

Albania Enhances Customs Lab with GCMS to Boost Revenue

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports the upgrade of the Albanian Customs Laboratory by introducing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) technology. This enables precise analysis of solvents and chemicals, improving tariff collection efficiency. Through international cooperation and technological advancements, Albanian Customs is committed to combating smuggling and maintaining a fair trade order, building a robust national border defense.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Costa Rica Streamlines Trade with New Customs Preruling System

Costa Rica Streamlines Trade with New Customs Preruling System

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Costa Rica in upgrading its customs system, with a focus on implementing an Advance Ruling System to enhance commodity classification and origin management, thereby facilitating trade. This initiative aims to improve customs clearance efficiency, reduce trade costs, and increase trade certainty by providing businesses with clearer expectations. This approach is a valuable model for other countries and businesses seeking to streamline their customs processes and improve trade efficiency.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Iran WCO Host Trade Facilitation Workshop

Iran WCO Host Trade Facilitation Workshop

Iran, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization, hosted a national workshop on the Harmonized System (HS). The workshop aimed to enhance the professional capabilities of Iran Customs in commodity classification, promote the uniform application of the HS, and strengthen cooperation with international organizations. This initiative is expected to contribute to the country's economic development by facilitating smoother international trade and ensuring accurate tariff application. The focus was on improving the efficiency and accuracy of customs procedures related to the HS nomenclature.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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