Comoros Seeks Trade Growth Via Wcobacked Customs Reform

Comoros Seeks Trade Growth Via Wcobacked Customs Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports Comoros in acceding to the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). Through technical assistance and capacity building, the WCO aims to help Comoros simplify customs procedures, improve trade efficiency, attract foreign investment, and ultimately achieve economic growth. The government of Comoros has pledged its full support and strives to meet the accession requirements by June 2019, opening itself to the world.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Costa Rica Japan Push for Stronger Trade Dispute System

Costa Rica Japan Push for Stronger Trade Dispute System

The five-party proposal aims to improve the trade remedy mechanism by streamlining channels, ensuring companies' right to appeal, standardizing timelines, allowing representation, and addressing the needs of developing countries. It seeks to promote fair global trade by perfecting the trade appeal process. The proposal focuses on ensuring accessibility and efficiency in resolving trade disputes, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and transparent international trading system. This initiative is designed to foster a more balanced and sustainable global trade environment.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uganda US Ease Trade Barriers by Dropping Consular Rules

Uganda US Ease Trade Barriers by Dropping Consular Rules

In 2006, Uganda and the United States jointly submitted a proposal to the WTO to eliminate consular authentication requirements related to trade in goods. The proposal explicitly prohibits requiring consular transactions, defines the specific content of such transactions, and emphasizes the importance of technical assistance and capacity building to help developing countries adapt to the trade environment after the elimination of consular authentication. This initiative aims to reduce trade costs, shorten delivery times, and promote trade growth, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in international trade.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WTO Boosts Trade Transparency to Ease Global Commerce

WTO Boosts Trade Transparency to Ease Global Commerce

The revised WTO document TN/TF/W/8/Corr.1 emphasizes members' obligations regarding information transparency, aiming to build a fairer and more efficient global trade environment. The revisions primarily concern the detailed disclosure of pre-shipment inspection activities and the publication of trade regulation summaries with transitional arrangements. These measures are designed to enhance trade transparency, reduce trade barriers, and promote the healthy development of global trade. The updates underscore the importance of readily available information for businesses and governments alike, fostering predictability and reducing opportunities for corruption.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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US Pushes Digital Trade Transparency for Global Commerce

US Pushes Digital Trade Transparency for Global Commerce

The United States actively promotes the online disclosure of trade clearance information within the WTO framework. This initiative aims to enhance transparency, streamline procedures, reduce trade costs and time, and promote fair competition, ultimately creating a more efficient and transparent future for global trade. Aligned with the digital trend, this proposal lays the groundwork for the global digital transformation of trade and embodies the principles of openness, cooperation, and win-win trade.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Urges Streamlined Data to Boost Global Handicraft Trade

WCO Urges Streamlined Data to Boost Global Handicraft Trade

The World Customs Organization's 2000 recommendation aims to encourage member customs agencies to incorporate handicraft subheadings into their national statistical classifications, simplifying the collection and comparison of related trade data. By clarifying the definition of handicrafts, establishing certification regulations, and adding handicraft subheadings, the recommendation enhances the transparency and comparability of trade data. This provides policymakers and businesses with more accurate market information, thereby promoting the sustainable development of handicraft trade.

02/06/2026 HS Code Query
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Revised Kyoto Convention Aims to Simplify Global Customs Procedures

Revised Kyoto Convention Aims to Simplify Global Customs Procedures

The 29th session of the Revised Kyoto Convention Management Committee focused on potential draft texts of specific annexes, marking a crucial stage in the comprehensive review. Discussions covered topics such as goods handling, postal traffic, and relief consignments, aiming to simplify customs procedures and improve trade efficiency. Businesses should actively track policy changes, optimize customs data, and strengthen compliance management to seize opportunities and address challenges. This proactive approach is essential for navigating the evolving landscape of international trade and ensuring smooth cross-border operations.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Wcos SAFE Framework Enhances Global Trade Security

Wcos SAFE Framework Enhances Global Trade Security

The 28th SAFE Working Group (SWG) meeting focused on upgrading and monitoring the implementation of the SAFE Framework. Discussions included the implementation monitoring questionnaire, the WCO Data Strategy, the Green Customs Initiative, and capacity building activities. The revised SWG work plan was approved. The meeting also deepened cooperation between customs and sectors such as aviation and ports, injecting new momentum into the future development of global trade. The discussions aimed to enhance efficiency and security in international trade through improved customs procedures and collaboration.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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EUWCO Project Supports African Free Trade with Harmonized Rules

EUWCO Project Supports African Free Trade with Harmonized Rules

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme aims to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by 2025. It focuses on finalizing the rules of origin, harmonizing key African origin regimes, and developing a community of practice for rules of origin. This initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for economic prosperity in Africa by facilitating trade and ensuring the smooth implementation of the AfCFTA agreement. The program will contribute to a more predictable and transparent trade environment across the continent.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Burkina Faso Adopts Advance Ruling to Boost Trade Efficiency

Burkina Faso Adopts Advance Ruling to Boost Trade Efficiency

Burkina Faso Customs, with the support of the WCO, is actively promoting the establishment of an advance ruling mechanism to improve trade efficiency, reduce trade costs, and enhance trade transparency. Through capacity-building workshops, customs officers have gained a deeper understanding of the Harmonized System and advance ruling regulations. The implementation of the advance ruling mechanism will have a positive impact on the trade development of Burkina Faso. This initiative aims to streamline customs procedures and provide greater certainty for traders.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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