WCO Launches Virtual Leadership Program for Colombian Customs

WCO Launches Virtual Leadership Program for Colombian Customs

The World Customs Organization (WCO), at the request of the Colombian National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN), successfully conducted its first fully virtual Leadership and Management Development Programme. Focusing on leadership enhancement and crisis management, the program utilized innovative teaching methodologies and achieved significant results, improving the overall capabilities of individual participants, teams, and the organization. The Director General of DIAN highly praised the collaboration and expressed anticipation for future partnerships with the WCO to further organizational development.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Armenia Modernizes Customs with WCO for Ecommerce Growth

Armenia Modernizes Customs with WCO for Ecommerce Growth

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Armenian Customs in implementing the Mercator Programme, aimed at simplifying customs procedures, reducing trade costs, and improving efficiency. The program covers key areas such as advance rulings, risk management, and single window systems, with the goal of modernizing Armenian Customs and promoting its economic development. Other developing countries can learn from this example by actively participating in WCO projects to improve their own trade facilitation levels.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Customs Key to Asiapacific Trade Resilience During Pandemic

Customs Key to Asiapacific Trade Resilience During Pandemic

The Asian Development Bank and UNESCAP jointly held a webinar focusing on the critical role of customs in safeguarding trade and connectivity during the pandemic. The WCO Secretary General emphasized the need for customs to ensure supply chain transparency and shared WCO's response measures and recommendations for regional cooperation. These included coordinating border management, digitizing procedures, and building capacity. The meeting highlighted the importance of customs in facilitating trade and building resilient supply chains during global crises.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Lesotho Boosts Customs Valuation Via WCO Training Program

Lesotho Boosts Customs Valuation Via WCO Training Program

The WCO conducted customs valuation training in Lesotho to enhance the country's capacity, promote trade facilitation, and support the implementation of WTO agreements, ultimately improving the trade environment. This initiative aimed to strengthen Lesotho's ability to accurately assess the value of imported goods, leading to increased revenue collection and reduced trade barriers. By building local expertise in customs valuation, the WCO's training contributes to a more transparent and efficient trading system, fostering economic growth and regional integration.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Comoros Boosts Customs Skills for WTO Accession Bid

Comoros Boosts Customs Skills for WTO Accession Bid

A joint WTO-WCO workshop aimed to enhance Comoros' customs valuation capabilities in preparation for WTO accession. The workshop covered topics such as customs valuation methods, pre-shipment inspection, and trade facilitation. The goal was to assist Comoros in establishing an efficient and transparent trade system to promote economic development. The experience of Comoros can offer valuable insights for other developing countries seeking to improve their trade practices and integrate into the global trading system. This initiative highlights the importance of capacity building for successful WTO membership.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Burkina Faso Customs Boosts Project Management for Modernization

Burkina Faso Customs Boosts Project Management for Modernization

With the support of the World Customs Organization, Burkina Faso Customs successfully held a senior management training program on project management, enhancing its capacity in managing customs reform projects. This training is part of the MADAO project, aimed at modernizing African customs. Through interactive teaching and case studies, participants acquired key project management skills, ensuring the implementation of customs strategic plans. This initiative provides valuable experience for customs administrations in other developing countries.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Amazon Sellers Face Logistics Customs Challenges in FBA

Amazon Sellers Face Logistics Customs Challenges in FBA

This article provides Amazon FBA sellers with a detailed shipping guide, covering key aspects such as logistics company selection, cargo preparation, waybill completion, and logistics tracking. It emphasizes the importance of choosing the right logistics partner, ensuring cargo packaging and labeling meet specifications, accurately completing waybill information, and tracking cargo dynamics in real-time. This helps sellers efficiently manage FBA first-leg logistics and improve operational efficiency.

01/26/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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US Customs Shifts Refunds to Electronic ACH Payments

US Customs Shifts Refunds to Electronic ACH Payments

U.S. Customs announced the full digitalization of duty refunds, effective February 6th. Companies must ensure ACH electronic payment setup or designate a customs broker for collection; otherwise, direct refunds will be unavailable. This move is likely related to the Supreme Court's expected ruling on tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Businesses are advised to prepare promptly to navigate future trade changes. This digitalization aims to streamline the refund process and improve efficiency for both Customs and importers. Early preparation is crucial to avoid disruptions and ensure timely receipt of refunds.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Trade Programs Boost SME Growth with Streamlined Customs

Trade Programs Boost SME Growth with Streamlined Customs

A joint report by the World Customs Organization, World Trade Organization, and International Chamber of Commerce urges customs administrations to remove barriers hindering SMEs' participation in global trade, emphasizing their vital role in the global economy. The report analyzes the challenges faced by SMEs and proposes recommendations for their integration into Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs. Through case studies, it showcases successful experiences, aiming to build a more inclusive and resilient global trading system. The report highlights the need for simplified procedures and enhanced access to information for SMEs to thrive in international markets.

01/27/2026 Customs Knowledge
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AI Enhances Customs Fraud Detection Curbing Tax Evasion

AI Enhances Customs Fraud Detection Curbing Tax Evasion

The DATE neural network model, developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), leverages a dual attention mechanism and tree-aware embedding techniques to effectively identify potential customs fraud transactions and improve inspection efficiency. Successfully piloted in Nigeria and open-sourced for use by customs administrations worldwide, this model has the potential to become a new tool in combating cross-border tax evasion. It offers a data-driven approach to detecting irregularities and enhancing risk assessment in international trade, ultimately contributing to fairer and more secure global commerce.

01/27/2026 Customs Knowledge
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