WCO Belgian Customs Academy Boost African Customs Training

WCO Belgian Customs Academy Boost African Customs Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Belgian Customs Academy (BCS) have deepened their collaboration to provide enhanced training for customs officials from French-speaking African countries. The training covers the WCO's latest tools and issues. This initiative aims to improve customs management capabilities in Africa, promote regional trade development, and serve as a model for global customs capacity building. The partnership underscores the commitment to strengthening customs administrations and fostering a more efficient and secure global trade environment.

Report Highlights Global Customs Efficiency Best Practices

Report Highlights Global Customs Efficiency Best Practices

The World Customs Organization and the International Monetary Fund jointly released the first phase report of the International Survey on Customs Administration (ISOCA), compiling data from 51 customs administrations to analyze performance, practices, and structures. The report provides benchmarks, facilitates experience sharing, promotes data-driven decision-making, and supports customs capacity building, offering significant value for global customs management. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding current trends and identifying areas for improvement in customs operations worldwide.

Serbia Boosts Customs Modernization with WCO Support

Serbia Boosts Customs Modernization with WCO Support

With the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Customs Cooperation Fund Germany (CCF Germany), Serbian Customs held a workshop on customs laboratory modernization and Harmonized System (HS) tariff management. By enhancing laboratory analysis capabilities, optimizing HS code application, and strengthening capacity building, Serbian Customs aims to promote trade facilitation, improve revenue collection, and combat smuggling, ultimately boosting its international competitiveness. This initiative reflects Serbia's commitment to aligning with international standards and improving its customs operations.

Tonga Customs Workshop Boosts Trade Efficiency

Tonga Customs Workshop Boosts Trade Efficiency

In January 2025, the WCO and Tonga Customs jointly held a workshop on tariff rulings in Nuku'alofa, aiming to enhance Tonga Customs' tariff classification capabilities and promote trade facilitation. Sponsored by the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund, the workshop covered WCO guidelines, Tonga Customs practices, action plan development, and expert experience sharing. Through capacity building, institutional improvement, technical support, and international cooperation, Tonga Customs will be better positioned to serve national economic development.

Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Partnership

Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Partnership

Uzbekistan and Maldives collaborated to enhance post-clearance customs audit capabilities through a virtual workshop under the World Customs Organization framework. This initiative focused on capacity building and fostering customs cooperation between the two nations. The workshop aimed to improve audit processes and efficiency, contributing to better revenue collection and trade facilitation. This collaboration exemplifies the WCO's commitment to supporting its member countries in strengthening their customs administrations and promoting effective customs practices.

WCO and WTO Partner to Simplify Global Trade Processes

WCO and WTO Partner to Simplify Global Trade Processes

The World Customs Organization (WCO) works closely with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to promote the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The WCO supports customs administrations in enhancing efficiency and transparency through capacity building, standard setting, information sharing, tool development, and advocacy. These efforts aim to simplify customs procedures, reduce trade costs, and ultimately contribute to the prosperity of global trade.

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.

WCO Supports Sudan Customs in HR Management Reform

WCO Supports Sudan Customs in HR Management Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a workshop in Sudan to enhance customs human resource management capabilities, evaluating previous results and improving HRM tools. The workshop focused on workforce planning, job descriptions, competency frameworks, performance appraisal, and employee motivation, resulting in a new roadmap. The WCO provides expertise, technical guidance, and capacity building to help Sudanese Customs build a scientific and efficient human resource management system, enhancing customs modernization.

WCO Backs Madagascars AEO Program to Enhance Trade Growth

WCO Backs Madagascars AEO Program to Enhance Trade Growth

With funding from HM Revenue & Customs, the World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully supported Madagascar Customs in implementing its AEO program, aiming to enhance trade facilitation and supply chain security. Through technical exchanges and international experience sharing, the WCO assisted Madagascar in optimizing customs clearance procedures, improving business competitiveness, and promoting sustainable economic development. This collaboration represents another significant demonstration of the WCO's ongoing commitment to capacity building and international cooperation.

WCO Upgrades Customs Tool to Improve Global Trade Efficiency

WCO Upgrades Customs Tool to Improve Global Trade Efficiency

The World Customs Organization has updated its Customs Diagnostic Tool, with a focus on improving the Rules of Origin section and optimizing usability. This tool aims to assist customs administrations in identifying, designing, implementing, and evaluating capacity building projects, enhancing performance in tariff classification, valuation, and origin management. Through systematic assessment, development of improvement plans, and continuous monitoring, customs can effectively improve service levels and facilitate international trade.