WCO Backs Benin Customs in Advancing Gender Equality

WCO Backs Benin Customs in Advancing Gender Equality

The World Customs Organization (WCO) partnered with Benin Customs for a follow-up action in Cotonou, implementing Gender Equality and Diversity (GEDC) policies and raising awareness among customs officers. Through workshops and action plans, the initiative aims to create a customs working environment that respects diversity, promotes equal treatment and opportunities, and contributes to sustainable development. The collaboration focuses on fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace within Benin Customs, ultimately strengthening its capacity and contributing to broader societal goals.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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SECOWCO GTFP Phase II Aims to Enhance Global Trade

SECOWCO GTFP Phase II Aims to Enhance Global Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) officially launched the second phase of the Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP). This initiative aims to build upon the achievements of the first phase, further promoting international trade development, strengthening customs organizational capacity, and fostering the application of international standards and best practices. It seeks to inject new vitality into global trade facilitation and contribute to the construction of an open, inclusive, balanced, and win-win global trade system.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Madagascar Shares Disaster Resilience Strategies Amid Crises

Madagascar Shares Disaster Resilience Strategies Amid Crises

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP), held a workshop in Madagascar to enhance the country's capacity to respond to pandemics and natural disasters. Through the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and practical exercises, Madagascar gained valuable lessons, providing insights for other developing countries facing challenges posed by climate change. The workshop aimed to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience through customs facilitation and international collaboration.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Global Alliance Forms to Fight Fake Sports Goods

Global Alliance Forms to Fight Fake Sports Goods

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Federation of the European Sporting Goods Industry (FESI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation in combating counterfeit goods, particularly in the sporting goods sector. This collaboration aims to enhance the capacity of customs officials to identify counterfeit products through the promotion of the IPM platform, improved information exchange, and training programs. The initiative seeks to protect consumer rights and maintain market order by preventing the trade of fake sports equipment and other goods.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Bosnia Strengthens Customs IP Protections Against Counterfeits

Bosnia Strengthens Customs IP Protections Against Counterfeits

A workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection was held in cooperation between the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITA BiH). The aim was to enhance the capacity of Bosnian customs officers in combating counterfeit goods. The workshop covered legal and regulatory learning, IPM platform application, promotion of public-private partnerships, and strengthening customs control capabilities. This is significant for improving the fight against counterfeiting in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Uschina Trade Shifts Challenge Crossborder Ecommerce Growth

Uschina Trade Shifts Challenge Crossborder Ecommerce Growth

Adjustments in China-US tariff policies have triggered a 'rush delivery' surge in cross-border e-commerce, leading to increased orders, strained transportation capacity, and rising freight costs. Sellers should seize this window of opportunity while remaining vigilant about potential risks, and strategically invest in overseas warehouses and localized operations for long-term growth. The long-term development trend of cross-border e-commerce remains positive, but it requires a keen understanding of market opportunities and awareness of the latest policies.

01/04/2026 Logistics
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Ocean Freight Rates Drop Reshaping Crossborder Ecommerce

Ocean Freight Rates Drop Reshaping Crossborder Ecommerce

Ocean freight rates have plummeted, posing challenges for cross-border e-commerce. Excess capacity and decreased demand have led to significant price drops, putting pressure on sellers' costs and intensifying competition. The overseas expansion of domestic e-commerce giants further exacerbates the 'involution' in foreign markets. While import e-commerce cools down, the export market faces fierce competition, making future development uncertain. Sellers must adapt to the changing market dynamics and explore new strategies to maintain profitability and competitiveness in this volatile environment.

01/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Amazon Buys Robotics Firm Cloostermans to Boost Warehouse Efficiency

Amazon Buys Robotics Firm Cloostermans to Boost Warehouse Efficiency

Amazon's acquisition of Belgian warehouse robotics company Cloostermans aims to enhance warehouse automation and address storage capacity challenges. While the short-term impact may be limited, automation is a necessary trend for cross-border e-commerce in the long run. Sellers should pay attention to industry trends, optimize inventory management, and improve operational efficiency to adapt to future market competition. This acquisition signals Amazon's continued investment in automation to improve efficiency and potentially reduce costs related to storage and fulfillment.

01/06/2026 Logistics
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Baidus ERNIE Bot Outperforms Chatgpt in AI Creativity Test

Baidus ERNIE Bot Outperforms Chatgpt in AI Creativity Test

This paper compares the performance of Wenxin Yiyan, ChatGPT, and New Bing in metaphorical rhetoric, revealing Wenxin Yiyan's potential advantages in linguistic imagination. The article argues that Wenxin Yiyan tends to use things or behaviors to metaphorize HR, demonstrating greater literary creativity and imagination. It calls for attention and cultivation of AI creativity to promote the rise of domestic AI. The comparison highlights the unique approach of Wenxin Yiyan in employing metaphors, suggesting a different level of imaginative capacity compared to its counterparts.

01/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO) trained Customs officers from the Middle East and North Africa in Beirut to enhance their capacity to combat cultural property smuggling. The training covered key areas including identification of smuggled artifacts, international cooperation, relevant legal frameworks, and practical enforcement techniques. The aim was to equip officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, seize, and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage items, thereby contributing to the protection of cultural heritage in the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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