WCO South Korea Aid Yemens Customs Reform Amid Crisis

WCO South Korea Aid Yemens Customs Reform Amid Crisis

With funding from the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF), the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a high-level seminar in Amman, Jordan, to assist Yemen Customs in transitioning from crisis response to recovery. The seminar focused on key issues such as capacity building and strategic planning. The WCO provided technical assistance and resource coordination, while Korea provided financial support. The Head of Yemen Customs expressed gratitude to the WCO and pledged to enhance trade security and competitiveness to achieve national recovery. This initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation in supporting fragile states.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Shanghai Conference Focuses on Trade Facilitation Partnerships

WCO Shanghai Conference Focuses on Trade Facilitation Partnerships

At the IFCBA Conference in Shanghai, the WCO emphasized customs-business cooperation to promote trade facilitation. Key focuses included the Belt and Road Initiative and capacity building for customs brokers. The WCO highlighted the importance of collaboration between customs administrations and the private sector in streamlining trade procedures and reducing barriers. This cooperation is crucial for achieving efficient and secure global trade flows, particularly within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative's ambitious infrastructure and connectivity goals. Strengthening the skills and expertise of customs brokers is also vital for smooth and compliant trade operations.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Malawi Boosts Customs Efficiency with Japanbacked HS Code Training

Malawi Boosts Customs Efficiency with Japanbacked HS Code Training

Sponsored by Japan Customs and organized by the World Customs Organization, a national HS workshop was held in Malawi to enhance the commodity classification skills of Malawian customs officers. The aim was to improve tax revenue efficiency and promote international trade development. The workshop focused on core HS principles and practical operations, emphasizing the importance of capacity building for a sound tax system and exploring the strategic significance of improving HS coding capabilities. This initiative underscores the commitment to strengthening customs operations through targeted training and international collaboration.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches Global Program to Enhance Customs Efficiency

WCO Launches Global Program to Enhance Customs Efficiency

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has launched the second round of its Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM), inviting members to participate in self-assessment. This initiative aims to help national customs administrations identify challenges, improve operations, and receive targeted capacity building assistance from the WCO. The PMM comprehensively evaluates customs performance in areas such as trade facilitation, revenue collection, and enforcement. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of customs worldwide, thereby fostering international trade development and contributing to a more secure and predictable global trading environment.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Philippines Customs Boosts IP Protection Via WCO Training

Philippines Customs Boosts IP Protection Via WCO Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held an online workshop for the Bureau of Customs of the Philippines, aiming to enhance its capacity to combat counterfeiting and piracy, and address intellectual property protection challenges during the pandemic. The workshop covered customs' responsibilities under the pandemic, WCO tools and instruments, and rights holders' involvement. This initiative seeks to improve the Philippines Customs' ability to protect intellectual property rights, maintain social security, and safeguard the economic order. The focus was on practical strategies and collaborative approaches to effectively combat IP violations.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Barbados Customs Adopts Skillsbased Hiring to Boost Efficiency

Barbados Customs Adopts Skillsbased Hiring to Boost Efficiency

Barbados Customs is reforming its human resource management, collaborating with the WCO and IMF to develop a skills directory and explore the establishment of an internal HR department. This initiative aims to modernize HR practices within the customs administration, aligning them with international standards and best practices. The focus on skills-driven development is expected to enhance the capabilities of customs officers and improve overall operational efficiency. This reform represents a significant step towards strengthening Barbados Customs' capacity to effectively manage its workforce and contribute to national economic development.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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West and Central African Customs Chiefs Back Continental Free Trade

West and Central African Customs Chiefs Back Continental Free Trade

The meeting of heads of customs from West and Central Africa focused on the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The World Customs Organization reaffirmed its support, emphasizing the critical role of customs departments and the importance of infrastructure. Discussions also covered addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic, combating counterfeit medicines and vaccines, and strengthening capacity building and regional cooperation. These efforts aim to contribute to regional economic development and the prosperity of the African continent. The importance of efficient customs procedures for the AfCFTA's success was highlighted.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCOSKKU Scholarship Boosts Customs Data Skills in Developing Nations

WCOSKKU Scholarship Boosts Customs Data Skills in Developing Nations

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with Sungkyunkwan University in Korea, has launched a scholarship program in data analysis for customs officials from developing countries. This program aims to cultivate data analysis experts by enhancing their skills and cultural awareness through online and offline courses, practical projects, and cultural excursions. The initiative supports customs administrations in leveraging data-driven insights to improve management practices in the data era. It focuses on building capacity within developing nations to effectively utilize data for enhanced customs operations and decision-making.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Backs Ghana Customs Modernization Plan

WCO Backs Ghana Customs Modernization Plan

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WACAM project, assessed and optimized the 2015-2017 strategic plan of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). This initiative aimed to enhance customs modernization in Ghana, enabling it to better adapt to the international trade environment and safeguard national economic development. The focus was on strategic plan compliance, modernization reforms, capacity building, and improving the monitoring and evaluation unit, along with internal project management capabilities. The project sought to improve GRA's overall effectiveness and efficiency in customs operations.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Belt and Road Nations Push for Stronger Customs Cooperation to Boost Trade

Belt and Road Nations Push for Stronger Customs Cooperation to Boost Trade

During the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, experts discussed the significance of customs cooperation among participating countries. They proposed five key areas for improvement: deepening mechanism alignment, regulatory innovation, information sharing, trade security, and capacity building, to enhance customs' role in facilitating trade. Through collaboration, countries can better respond to emerging trade patterns and ensure global economic stability and prosperity.

07/29/2025 Logistics
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