Bangladesh Enhances Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Study

Bangladesh Enhances Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked Study

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) held a strategic dialogue with the National Board of Revenue (NBR) of Bangladesh in February 2021 to strengthen Bangladesh's Time Release Study (TRS) capabilities. The meeting reviewed Bangladesh Customs' TRS experience and developed a future action plan to improve clearance efficiency and promote trade facilitation. The aim is to streamline processes and reduce the time required for goods to be released from customs control, ultimately boosting trade competitiveness.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Iran Adopts Wcobacked Audit System to Boost Customs Efficiency

Iran Adopts Wcobacked Audit System to Boost Customs Efficiency

The WCO held a Post Clearance Audit (PCA) workshop in Iran to assist the country in introducing PCA concepts, improving the efficiency of customs controls, and optimizing the trade environment. The workshop aimed to enhance Iran's capacity in conducting effective post-clearance audits, which are crucial for ensuring compliance with customs regulations and facilitating legitimate trade. By adopting PCA, Iran can streamline its customs procedures, reduce delays, and promote a more transparent and predictable trading system, ultimately contributing to trade facilitation.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Brazil Uruguay Agree on Mutual AEO Trade Recognition

Brazil Uruguay Agree on Mutual AEO Trade Recognition

Brazil and Uruguay signed an AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) pilot program, aiming to simplify customs clearance, enhance supply chain security, and promote bilateral and regional trade facilitation through joint certification of compliant traders. This represents a significant milestone in customs cooperation between the two countries and serves as a model for global trade security and facilitation. The MRA is expected to reduce border delays and costs for certified companies, fostering greater economic integration within the region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Customs Time Release Study

Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Customs Time Release Study

Serbian Customs, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization, launched a National Clearance Time Study project. This initiative aims to optimize customs procedures through data analysis, enhancing trade efficiency and the business environment. The project, involving workshops and roadmap planning, identifies challenges, develops improvement measures, and promotes stakeholder engagement. The ultimate goal is to achieve trade facilitation and drive economic growth in Serbia.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Expertise

Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Expertise

Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, a delegation from Uzbekistan Customs visited the Maldives to study post-clearance audit. Through experience exchange and practical exercises, Uzbekistan learned about the Maldives' best practices in risk management and trader compliance. Adapting these practices to their own context, Uzbekistan developed reform plans to improve its national post-clearance audit system and promote trade facilitation. The visit focused on building capacity and understanding practical implementation of modern audit techniques for enhanced efficiency.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Peru Enhances Trade Efficiency with Customs Reform

Peru Enhances Trade Efficiency with Customs Reform

The SECO-WCO GTFP provided technical assistance to Peruvian Customs for implementing a Time Release Study (TRS). The aim was to enhance Peruvian Customs' capacity through WCO methodology training, procedure review, and software training, identifying bottlenecks and optimizing processes. The successful TRS pilot paved the way for national implementation, potentially improving Peru's trade facilitation and international competitiveness. This initiative highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in trade facilitation. The study focused on identifying areas where customs procedures could be streamlined to reduce clearance times and improve overall efficiency.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Guatemala Boosts Trade Efficiency with WCO Partnership

Guatemala Boosts Trade Efficiency with WCO Partnership

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the Mercator Program, supports Guatemala's Tax and Customs Administration (SAT) in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). This support includes on-site missions, needs analysis, and action plan development. The WCO team engaged with Guatemalan stakeholders, proposing recommendations to optimize customs clearance processes, enhance transparency, and strengthen inter-agency cooperation. The aim is to help Guatemala achieve trade facilitation, thereby promoting economic development. This initiative underscores the WCO's commitment to assisting member states in streamlining trade procedures and fostering a more efficient global trading environment.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Wcos Mercator Program Boosts Global Trade for Businesses

Wcos Mercator Program Boosts Global Trade for Businesses

UK experts have pioneered the first step in WCO Mercator Programme Advisors (MPAs) certification, marking an acceleration in global trade facilitation. MPAs will assist countries in modernizing their customs, simplifying clearance procedures, reducing trade barriers, and optimizing the business environment, creating broader development opportunities for businesses. The WCO will continue to promote MPA certification, injecting new momentum into global trade facilitation.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Saudi Customs Wins National Award for Digital Innovation

Saudi Customs Wins National Award for Digital Innovation

Saudi Customs won the National E-Government Achievement Award for its "Customs Integration System," demonstrating its outstanding achievements in digital transformation. This system contributes to Saudi Arabia's economic development by improving customs clearance efficiency, strengthening supervision, optimizing service experience, and promoting trade facilitation. In the future, Saudi Customs will continue to explore new technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things to create a more efficient, convenient, and intelligent customs environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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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.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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