Philippines Boosts IP Protection in Customs Via WCO Workshop

Philippines Boosts IP Protection in Customs Via WCO Workshop

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held an online workshop for Philippine Customs to enhance its capacity to combat counterfeit and pirated goods. The workshop focused on customs challenges under the pandemic, WCO's intellectual property protection tools, and counterfeit goods identification. Rights holders were invited to provide training. The workshop significantly improved the intellectual property protection awareness and counterfeit goods identification skills of Philippine Customs officials, promoting cooperation between customs and rights holders. This initiative aims to strengthen IP enforcement and protect legitimate trade in the Philippines.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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St Lucia Customs CCLEC Enhance Trade Ties in Caribbean

St Lucia Customs CCLEC Enhance Trade Ties in Caribbean

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization visited Saint Lucia, meeting with Saint Lucia Customs, the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC), and government officials. Discussions focused on the trade challenges and opportunities facing small island economies in the Caribbean region. The visit emphasized the importance of customs reform and regional cooperation. The Secretary General also conducted field visits to observe customs operations, with the aim of promoting regional trade facilitation and security. The overall goal is to enhance trade efficiency and security within the Caribbean.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Lao Customs Adopts Japanese Expertise to Curb Smuggling

Lao Customs Adopts Japanese Expertise to Curb Smuggling

In 2017, Lao Customs officers participated in a training program on airport compliance and enforcement, supported by the World Customs Organization and sponsored by the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund. The training aimed to enhance Lao Customs' capabilities in passenger risk management. Through theoretical learning and practical exercises, participants mastered key skills such as risk assessment, risk profiling, and target selection. They also learned practical methods including verbal and non-verbal risk assessment and questioning techniques. This initiative contributes to the modernization of Lao Customs.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO ENFORCE Team Up to Stop Illegal Waste Shipments

WCO ENFORCE Team Up to Stop Illegal Waste Shipments

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Environment Programme, actively participates in optimizing the Regulatory Compliance Environment Network (ENFORCE) initiative, aiming to strengthen Customs' role in combating the illegal transboundary movement of waste. The WCO will assist ENFORCE members in connecting with national Customs administrations, providing training, and coordinating operations to enhance Customs enforcement capabilities and collectively build a global environmental security network. This will contribute to a more secure and sustainable environment by preventing the illegal dumping and trafficking of hazardous waste.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Aids Asiapacific in Plastic Waste Management Reform

WCO Aids Asiapacific in Plastic Waste Management Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) completed virtual diagnostic missions to Indonesian and Philippine Customs to assist in implementing the Basel Convention's plastic waste amendments. The project covers strategy, legal frameworks, procedures, enforcement, policy, and capacity building. It will provide detailed implementation plans and regional workshops to strengthen customs controls on plastic waste trade in the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aims to enhance the collective response to the challenges posed by plastic waste and improve customs' ability to effectively manage its transboundary movement.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Boosts Namibias Anticounterfeiting Efforts in IP Program

WCO Boosts Namibias Anticounterfeiting Efforts in IP Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched its Intellectual Property Health and Safety (IPHS) Programme, with the first online training successfully held in Namibia. This initiative aims to enhance customs' ability to combat counterfeiting and piracy, particularly focusing on illicit medical goods during the pandemic. The WCO emphasizes customs' responsibility and provides tools to address these challenges. Funded by Japan Customs, the program seeks to strengthen international cooperation through information sharing, joint enforcement operations, capacity building, and public awareness campaigns, ultimately safeguarding global trade security.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Aids Gabon in Curbing Illegal Wildlife Trade

WCO Aids Gabon in Curbing Illegal Wildlife Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a CITES-Framework Action Plan training in Gabon, aimed at enhancing the capacity of African customs officers to combat illegal wildlife trade. Hosted by the Gabonese Customs Administration, the training involved representatives from multiple countries, focusing on discussing challenges and sharing experiences. The U.S. Department of State funded the training. The WCO-INAMA project is dedicated to protecting Africa's biodiversity through training and cooperation. This initiative underscores the importance of international collaboration in tackling wildlife crime and strengthening customs enforcement efforts.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Thailand Strengthens IP Rights Enforcement with WCO Support

Thailand Strengthens IP Rights Enforcement with WCO Support

Thailand Customs, guided by the WCO, is upgrading its intellectual property border enforcement system through data analysis and risk management optimization. The workshop promoted international cooperation and communication with rights holders. Future efforts will focus on strengthening data analysis capacity building, exploring the application of artificial intelligence, and improving laws and regulations to more effectively combat counterfeit products. This includes enhancing data-driven decision-making and fostering collaboration to address the challenges posed by IP infringements at the border.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Boosts Trade Control Enforcement in Albania Kosovo

WCO Boosts Trade Control Enforcement in Albania Kosovo

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its STCE and COPES projects, conducted online training for Albanian and Kosovar Customs, aiming to enhance their enforcement capabilities in strategic trade control and dual-use item management. The training covered strategic item definitions, evidence collection standards, and investigation techniques. It emphasized the application of data analysis in risk assessment and intelligence analysis to build a global strategic trade control system and maintain global security. The training is expected to improve the effectiveness of customs operations in preventing the illicit proliferation of sensitive goods.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Law Enforcement Cracks Down on Wildlife Trafficking

Global Law Enforcement Cracks Down on Wildlife Trafficking

The CITES Secretary-General, at the WCO Enforcement Committee meeting, emphasized the shared goals and close collaboration between the two organizations in combating illegal wildlife trade. Through capacity building, data sharing, and joint enforcement efforts, they are jointly safeguarding global ecological security. Customs agencies are the first line of defense in protecting wildlife, requiring global participation. The collaboration between CITES and WCO is crucial in addressing the complex challenges posed by wildlife trafficking and ensuring the effective implementation of international regulations.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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