Latin American Officials Boost Tax Customs Expertise in Training

Latin American Officials Boost Tax Customs Expertise in Training

The Advanced Course on Tax and Customs Administration for Latin America and the Caribbean, co-organized by institutions like the IMF, successfully concluded. It aimed to enhance the management capabilities of senior officials in the region to address challenges in the complex international trade environment. The curriculum covered strategic management, risk management, performance management, and international cooperation. With the fifth edition of the course soon to launch, it will further contribute to sustainable development by equipping officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the evolving global landscape and promote efficient tax and customs practices.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Backs African Customs Agencies to Strengthen Green Trade

WCO Backs African Customs Agencies to Strengthen Green Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme and the Basel Convention Secretariat, conducted workshops in Kenya and Tanzania. These workshops aimed to enhance the knowledge and enforcement capabilities of the two countries' customs departments regarding the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol. This initiative is part of the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, designed to promote sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa and strengthen the role of customs in environmental protection. The workshops focused on identifying and intercepting illegal shipments of hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Guinea Customs Adopts Wcos Ncen System to Boost Enforcement

Guinea Customs Adopts Wcos Ncen System to Boost Enforcement

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WACAM project, provided Guinea Customs with the nCEN application and related training to enhance its enforcement capabilities. The nCEN system assists Guinea Customs in strengthening cooperation with other agencies, improving enforcement efficiency, and utilizing data-driven decision-making. This leads to more effective combating of smuggling, safeguarding national security, and promoting trade facilitation. This project serves as a successful example of international cooperation for enhancing customs enforcement capacity in other developing countries.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Backs HR Modernization for Customs in Senegal Gabon

WCO Backs HR Modernization for Customs in Senegal Gabon

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WACAM project, is providing human resource modernization support to the Customs administrations of Senegal and Gabon. This includes refining tools such as job catalogs and competency frameworks, as well as identifying change management actions. Both countries plan to validate the tools and launch pilot programs in early 2016. The project aims to improve the management efficiency of Customs in both countries and serve as a model for the West and Central African regions.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Lesotho South Africa Study Customs Efficiency to Boost Trade

Lesotho South Africa Study Customs Efficiency to Boost Trade

Lesotho and South Africa jointly released an end-to-end clearance time study report, aiming to optimize border management and improve cross-border trade efficiency. The study focuses on the Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge border posts, highlighting the importance of trade facilitation in unlocking the potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Both countries are committed to implementing the report's recommendations, strengthening economic ties, and promoting regional economic development. The study underscores the critical role of efficient border procedures in fostering trade and growth within the region.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Customs Agencies Crack Down on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Global Customs Agencies Crack Down on Illegal Wildlife Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) Environment Programme, in collaboration with customs administrations from 11 countries, is enhancing capabilities to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT) through online diagnostic assessments. Focusing on key areas such as training, enforcement, legislation, cooperation, intelligence, and risk management, the program tailors solutions and gathers international experts to build a global anti-smuggling defense line and safeguard ecological security. The initiative aims to improve customs' effectiveness in detecting and preventing the trafficking of endangered species and related products.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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West Africa Customs Seminar Advances Gender Equality in Trade

West Africa Customs Seminar Advances Gender Equality in Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a high-level Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) seminar in Nigeria, empowering customs administrations from four West African countries. By raising awareness of gender mainstreaming, focusing on gender and security issues, and utilizing the GEOAT tool, the seminar assisted customs departments in developing and implementing GED action plans. The aim is to promote trade security, inclusive development, and address the challenges faced by women in cross-border trade. This initiative strengthens customs capacity to better serve all members of society.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Comoros Streamlines Customs with WCO Support to Boost Trade

Comoros Streamlines Customs with WCO Support to Boost Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports Comoros in acceding to the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), which aims to streamline customs procedures and promote trade facilitation. Through national workshops and expert support, the WCO assists Comoros in assessing gaps, developing action plans, and communicating with high-level government officials. This ensures Comoros meets the conditions for joining the RKC by June 2019, embracing a new era of global economy. The initiative helps Comoros modernize its customs practices and integrate more effectively into the international trading system.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Enhances Africa Trade Via Kenya Training Hub

WCO Enhances Africa Trade Via Kenya Training Hub

The World Customs Organization supports the Kenya Regional Training Centre in enhancing customs capacity in East and Southern Africa. This initiative aims to strengthen customs administrations through training and development programs, ultimately contributing to improved trade facilitation, revenue collection, and border security. By fostering regional cooperation and harmonization of customs procedures, the project promotes economic growth and development within the region. The WCO's support is crucial for building sustainable customs capacity and ensuring effective implementation of international standards.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Trains African Customs on Gender Equality for Better Teams

WCO Trains African Customs on Gender Equality for Better Teams

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the Finnish ESA Project II, held a workshop in Africa to enhance the skills of customs administrations in gender equality. The workshop focused on the application of WCO tools, promoted regional cooperation, and conducted an assessment of Mauritius Customs. The aim is to build more inclusive and diverse customs teams, improve operational efficiency, and enhance service quality. This initiative contributes to creating a more equitable and effective customs environment across the region.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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