Yemen Adopts International Customs Standards to Boost Trade

Yemen Adopts International Customs Standards to Boost Trade

Yemen acceded to the Kyoto Convention on June 27, 2013, aiming to simplify and harmonize customs procedures and promote international trade facilitation. The convention will enter into force on September 27, 2013, after which Yemen's customs procedures will gradually align with international standards. Businesses will benefit from more convenient and efficient customs clearance services. Companies need to understand the new rules in a timely manner, adjust business processes, seize opportunities, and embrace change.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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New Guide Aims to Streamline Crossborder Ecommerce Customs

New Guide Aims to Streamline Crossborder Ecommerce Customs

The WCO and UPU have released guidelines to assist national customs and postal administrations in developing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). These MoUs aim to optimize the handling of cross-border mail, enhancing efficiency, security, and trade facilitation. The guidelines provide a framework for cooperation between customs and postal services, ensuring smoother and more secure international mail flows. By implementing these recommendations, countries can streamline processes and improve the overall effectiveness of cross-border mail operations.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Releases Ehandbook to Streamline Global Customs Clearance

WCO Releases Ehandbook to Streamline Global Customs Clearance

The WCO Data Model e-Handbook is an authoritative guide published by the World Customs Organization, designed to provide a unified data standard for customs, cross-border regulatory agencies, e-commerce architects, and businesses. It aims to break down information barriers, improve customs clearance efficiency, reduce operating costs, and facilitate global trade. The handbook includes the latest WCO Data Model version, data requirements, message implementation guidelines, and implementation documentation, making it a crucial tool for achieving cross-border trade data interoperability.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Aids African Customs in Enforcing Environmental Agreements

WCO Aids African Customs in Enforcing Environmental Agreements

WCO, in collaboration with the United Nations, is working to enhance the capacity of Kenyan and Tanzanian customs administrations in enforcing environmental agreements. This initiative aims to address climate change and promote green trade by strengthening customs' role in monitoring and controlling the movement of environmentally sensitive goods. The project focuses on providing training, equipment, and technical assistance to customs officers, enabling them to effectively implement relevant regulations and contribute to sustainable development goals. Ultimately, this partnership seeks to foster a more environmentally responsible and economically viable trade environment.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bolivia Boosts Customs Efficiency Via Trade Facilitation Project

Bolivia Boosts Customs Efficiency Via Trade Facilitation Project

Under the WCO's global trade facilitation program, a Mercator follow-up mission assessed Bolivian Customs' progress in trade facilitation and provided recommendations for improvement. The evaluation focused on key areas like risk management and advance rulings, engaging actively with stakeholders. Expert advice will help Bolivian Customs refine measures, improve service delivery, and contribute more to economic development. The assessment aimed to identify areas where further progress is needed to streamline procedures and reduce trade costs, ultimately boosting Bolivia's competitiveness in the global market.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Wcos Revised Kyoto Convention Boosts Global Customs Efficiency

Wcos Revised Kyoto Convention Boosts Global Customs Efficiency

The WCO is actively promoting the review of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). The meeting reviewed the revision plan, discussed the direction of advancement, and emphasized cooperation in addressing global trade challenges. The participants expressed their expectation that the RKC will promote trade facilitation. The discussions focused on how the RKC can be further modernized and adapted to the evolving needs of international trade, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness in streamlining customs procedures and promoting economic growth worldwide.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Promotes Green Customs for Sustainable Textile Trade

WCO Promotes Green Customs for Sustainable Textile Trade

A WCO seminar explored leveraging the Harmonized System (HS) to identify environmentally friendly textiles at borders, promoting textile sustainability. The meeting focused on value chain transparency, industry practices, technological innovation, and standardization. It aimed to provide insights for building a greener HS system and supporting the global textile industry's transformation. Discussions centered on how HS codes can be better utilized to classify and track sustainable textiles, fostering a more environmentally responsible and transparent global textile trade.

02/05/2026 HS Code Query
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Colombia Customs Boosts Efficiency with Wcobacked KPI System

Colombia Customs Boosts Efficiency with Wcobacked KPI System

The WCO assisted Colombian Customs in enhancing its strategic performance. Through the GTFP project, DIAN optimized its KPI system and strengthened project management, contributing to trade facilitation. This initiative aimed to improve efficiency and effectiveness within the customs administration, ultimately supporting smoother and faster trade processes. The focus was on aligning strategic goals with operational performance, ensuring that customs activities effectively contribute to national trade objectives and economic growth. The project's success hinges on continuous monitoring and evaluation of the implemented KPIs and project management practices.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Asiapacific Customs Centers Adapt to Remote Learning Hurdles

Asiapacific Customs Centers Adapt to Remote Learning Hurdles

The Asia Pacific Customs Training Center (APCTC) conference explored remote training during the pandemic. Experiences were shared from China (VR), Fiji (online platforms), Hong Kong (interactive methods), and India (MOOCs). The World Customs Organization (WCO) emphasized the importance of data analysis in remote training programs. The conference highlighted innovative approaches and the crucial role of technology in maintaining customs capacity building efforts throughout the Asia Pacific region despite travel restrictions and other challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Japanfunded Project Enhances Pacific Islands Disaster Customs Response

Japanfunded Project Enhances Pacific Islands Disaster Customs Response

Funded by the Japanese government through the WCO COVID-19 Project, the World Customs Organization (WCO) held an online workshop to enhance the capacity of Pacific Island countries' customs administrations to expedite the clearance of relief goods during natural disasters and other emergencies. The workshop fostered international cooperation, promoted regulatory updates and process optimization, and improved the professional skills of customs officers. This initiative aims to build a robust barrier for the region to cope with potential future natural disasters by strengthening customs' ability to respond effectively.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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