WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO) trained Customs officers from the Middle East and North Africa in Beirut to enhance their capacity to combat cultural property smuggling. The training covered key areas including identification of smuggled artifacts, international cooperation, relevant legal frameworks, and practical enforcement techniques. The aim was to equip officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, seize, and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage items, thereby contributing to the protection of cultural heritage in the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches ACE Portal to Strengthen Global Customs Training

WCO Launches ACE Portal to Strengthen Global Customs Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched the ACE Expert Portal to optimize global expert resource management and enhance capacity building efficiency. This platform empowers individual expert development, facilitates knowledge sharing, and supports member-driven development. Through centralized management and permission settings, the ACE Expert Portal helps the WCO build a talent-driven customs organization, contributing to global trade security and facilitation. It aims to streamline expert identification, deployment, and knowledge transfer, ultimately strengthening customs administrations worldwide.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bolivia Expands Customs AEO Program with Trade Facilitation Support

Bolivia Expands Customs AEO Program with Trade Facilitation Support

Bolivian Customs, with WCO support, is upgrading its AEO program. This includes optimizing standards, expanding the program's scope, strengthening risk management and service provision, and promoting mutual recognition arrangements. The aim is to enhance trade facilitation, foster economic growth for businesses, and improve overall customs efficiency. The upgraded AEO program is expected to contribute significantly to Bolivia's trade competitiveness and its integration into the global trading system. The focus is on creating a more secure and predictable trade environment for authorized economic operators.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO WTO Release Tech Guide to Streamline Global Customs

WCO WTO Release Tech Guide to Streamline Global Customs

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) jointly released the 'Study Report on Disruptive Technologies (2022),' focusing on the application of seven technologies, including blockchain, IoT, and AI, in the customs domain. The report analyzes technology trends, shares practical case studies, and provides strategic recommendations for customs' digital transformation. It aims to promote global trade facilitation and economic growth by leveraging these disruptive technologies to modernize customs procedures and enhance efficiency.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Conference Global Customs Push for Green Trade Barriers

WCO Conference Global Customs Push for Green Trade Barriers

The World Customs Organization (WCO) Green Customs Global Conference highlighted customs' crucial role in environmental protection. Through strategic upgrades, round table discussions, and technological innovations, the conference explored topics such as the circular economy, cross-border waste management, and the greening of the Harmonized System (HS). The aim was to promote green trade, enhance regulatory efficiency, strengthen international cooperation, and collectively address environmental challenges, building a global green barrier.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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US Customs Duties Guide for Air Freight Parcels Released

US Customs Duties Guide for Air Freight Parcels Released

This article details three ways to handle US air freight parcels after being taxed: self-pickup and tax payment, entrusting the courier company for tax payment, and online tax payment. It also provides a case study of sports shoe duty calculation to help readers understand how duties are calculated. This information is intended to better prepare readers for potential tax issues encountered during cross-border shopping and make informed decisions when dealing with customs duties on imported goods.

01/08/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Benin Customs Modernizes HR Leads Reform in West Africa

Benin Customs Modernizes HR Leads Reform in West Africa

With the support of the World Customs Organization, the Benin Customs Administration launched a Human Resource Modernization project aimed at building a competency-based HRM system. Through capacity building, job catalog refinement, and regional cooperation, Benin Customs has set a precedent for improving efficiency and promoting regional customs modernization. The project emphasizes continuous improvement and comprehensive implementation to create a highly efficient and professional workforce. This initiative showcases Benin's commitment to modernizing its customs operations and fostering a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving demands of international trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches Digital Tools to Strengthen Global Customs Operations

WCO Launches Digital Tools to Strengthen Global Customs Operations

This paper focuses on the core online resources offered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) for capacity builders, including the WCO Trade Tools, WCO Bookshop, Customs Enforcement Network (CEN), and the WCO Online Learning platform. The aim is to help readers quickly understand and effectively utilize these tools to enhance their professional capabilities and promote compliance and efficiency in international trade. It provides a concise overview of these resources for improved customs capacity and trade facilitation.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WTO Committee Clarifies Customs Valuation Rules for Global Trade

WTO Committee Clarifies Customs Valuation Rules for Global Trade

This article provides an in-depth analysis of key decisions made by the WTO Committee on Customs Valuation over the years. It covers critical issues such as royalties, interpretation of terms, treatment of interest, valuation of software carriers, challenges to declared value, and minimum prices. The aim is to offer an authoritative reference for practitioners, promoting fairness and efficiency in international trade. It delves into the nuances of these resolutions, offering practical insights for navigating complex valuation scenarios and ensuring trade compliance.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Albania Enhances Customs Lab with GCMS to Boost Revenue

Albania Enhances Customs Lab with GCMS to Boost Revenue

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports the upgrade of the Albanian Customs Laboratory by introducing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) technology. This enables precise analysis of solvents and chemicals, improving tariff collection efficiency. Through international cooperation and technological advancements, Albanian Customs is committed to combating smuggling and maintaining a fair trade order, building a robust national border defense.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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