Guatemala Customs Boosts Leadership for Trade Efficiency

Guatemala Customs Boosts Leadership for Trade Efficiency

With the support of the World Customs Organization, the Tax Administration Superintendency of Guatemala held a leadership and management development workshop to enhance the leadership and management skills of customs officials. Through self-awareness exercises, learning personnel management tools, and practical drills, participants unleashed their potential for change and innovation, injecting strong momentum into the modernization of Guatemalan customs and building an efficient and convenient customs clearance environment. The workshop aimed to cultivate future leaders and improve overall organizational performance.

Asiapacific Customs Adopts Tech for Smarter Borders

Asiapacific Customs Adopts Tech for Smarter Borders

The WCO Asia Pacific region launched a series of workshops on disruptive technologies, focusing on the application of technologies like blockchain, AI, and IoT in customs. The conference aims to share experiences, gather feedback, update WCO related research reports, and promote international cooperation, technology standardization, regulatory improvement, and talent development to jointly build smart customs. The goal is to leverage these technologies to enhance trade facilitation and improve customs efficiency and effectiveness.

Global Customs Agencies Target Covidrelated Illicit Trade

Global Customs Agencies Target Covidrelated Illicit Trade

The World Customs Organization launched the 'COVID-19-Related Cross-Border Goods Facilitation and Coordination Customs Supervision Emergency Project' to combat counterfeit vaccines and related illicit trade, and ensure the smooth flow of legitimate trade. The project aims to build a global vaccine safety barrier by strengthening cross-border supervision, optimizing customs clearance procedures, enhancing the capacity of customs personnel, and promoting international cooperation. This initiative provides a strong boost to the global fight against the pandemic.

Bolivia Boosts Customs Efficiency Through AEO Program

Bolivia Boosts Customs Efficiency Through AEO Program

Bolivian Customs sought to enhance its AEO program by learning from the experiences of Colombia, Mexico, and Uruguay Customs through a "cloud dialogue." This article delves into the concept and importance of AEO, sharing the three countries' experiences in organizational structure, communication, and operational strategies. It also looks ahead to the future role of AEO in global trade, emphasizing its significance for corporate reputation and national competitiveness. The collaborative approach highlights the value of international cooperation in improving customs procedures and promoting efficient trade practices.

Botswana Customs Boosts Environmental Enforcement with Training

Botswana Customs Boosts Environmental Enforcement with Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), held a workshop in Botswana to enhance the capacity of customs officials in controlling hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances. The workshop aimed to improve customs officers' knowledge and skills related to the identification, detection, and prevention of illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods covered under various multilateral environmental agreements. This initiative underscores the importance of customs authorities in enforcing environmental regulations and combating environmental crime.

Asiapacific Customs Adopt WCO Ecommerce Compliance Standards

Asiapacific Customs Adopt WCO Ecommerce Compliance Standards

The 2021 WCO Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar focused on cross-border e-commerce compliance, aiming to promote the effective implementation of the WCO E-Commerce FoS Framework in the Asia-Pacific region. The conference brought together various stakeholders to discuss core issues such as advance electronic data, data exchange, and tax collection. Participants shared experiences, explored challenges, and laid the foundation for building a secure and efficient cross-border e-commerce ecosystem. The pandemic has accelerated the development of e-commerce, further highlighting the importance of the framework.

Morocco Boosts Customs AI with SECOWCO Backing

Morocco Boosts Customs AI with SECOWCO Backing

Morocco has launched the second phase of the SECO-WCO Trade Facilitation Programme, leveraging AI to enhance customs risk management and trade facilitation. The project aims to improve efficiency and security in cross-border trade through intelligent systems and data analysis. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is providing technical support to Morocco in implementing these advanced technologies and best practices. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce trade costs and improve the overall competitiveness of the Moroccan economy by streamlining customs procedures and minimizing delays.

Peru Boosts Customs Oversight with Global Partnerships

Peru Boosts Customs Oversight with Global Partnerships

Peru Customs, with support from the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, held a virtual forum focusing on optimizing customs valuation risk management. Participating countries shared experiences and discussed database construction, value verification processes, and private sector engagement. Based on this, Peru Customs developed an action plan to strengthen value verification and deepen cooperation with the private sector. The World Customs Organization will continue to provide support to enhance transparency and predictability in cross-border trade.

Sri Lanka Boosts Customs Nuclear Detection Capabilities

Sri Lanka Boosts Customs Nuclear Detection Capabilities

Sri Lanka Customs, with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the U.S. Department of Energy through the RANDA Project, conducted radiation and nuclear detection training. This initiative aims to enhance customs officers' awareness and response capabilities to related threats. The training covered legal frameworks, risk management, detection technologies, and included field visits and international cooperation. The goal is to build a stronger nuclear security line of defense at the border, improving the ability to identify and interdict illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials.

WCO Backs Ghana Customs Data Modernization Push

WCO Backs Ghana Customs Data Modernization Push

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WACAM project, provides strategic planning support to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), focusing on data-driven modernization. The mission includes assessing the GRA's strategic plan compliance, addressing customs reform and modernization issues, and enhancing monitoring, evaluation, and project management capabilities. Emphasizing the crucial role of data in customs modernization, recommendations include establishing a data warehouse, developing data analysis tools, and formulating data-driven performance indicators. The project aims to transform GRA into a more efficient and effective organization through strategic planning and data utilization.