Moldova Boosts Customs Efficiency to Streamline Trade

Moldova Boosts Customs Efficiency to Streamline Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a Customs Valuation workshop in Moldova to enhance the country's customs expertise in customs valuation and promote trade facilitation. The workshop covered topics such as the application of the WTO Valuation Agreement, the establishment and utilization of valuation databases, the valuation of second-hand goods, the treatment of assistance and license fees, and the advance ruling system. This provided valuable learning opportunities for Moldovan customs officials.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Algeria Studies Dutch Customs Labs to Enhance African Trade

Algeria Studies Dutch Customs Labs to Enhance African Trade

Algerian customs experts visited the Netherlands to study customs laboratories, aiming to learn advanced practices for building a modern laboratory in their country. This visit is part of the EU-World Customs Organization HS-Africa project, which focuses on improving customs management and promoting trade facilitation in Africa. The study tour covered laboratory design, technical equipment, workflow, and tariff classification. The insights gained will provide valuable references for the construction of the Algerian customs laboratory.

01/16/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Partnership

Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Partnership

Uzbekistan and Maldives collaborated to enhance post-clearance customs audit capabilities through a virtual workshop under the World Customs Organization framework. This initiative focused on capacity building and fostering customs cooperation between the two nations. The workshop aimed to improve audit processes and efficiency, contributing to better revenue collection and trade facilitation. This collaboration exemplifies the WCO's commitment to supporting its member countries in strengthening their customs administrations and promoting effective customs practices.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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World Customs Day Highlights Global Connectivity Efforts

World Customs Day Highlights Global Connectivity Efforts

The theme of World Customs Day 2012 was "Connectivity." The World Customs Organization aimed to strengthen cooperation within the global customs community by enhancing connections at the people, institutional, and information levels. This initiative sought to improve trade efficiency and security, build a closer global customs community, and ultimately serve the development of global trade. The focus was on fostering seamless and secure trade flows through enhanced collaboration and information sharing among customs administrations worldwide.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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World Bank WCO Aid Philippines in Customs Modernization

World Bank WCO Aid Philippines in Customs Modernization

With support from the World Bank and the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Philippine Customs is undertaking a reform and modernization program. The project aims to create a smart and efficient new customs administration by strengthening its IT infrastructure, revitalizing human resource management, and establishing a customs academy. The WCO provides expert tools and analysis to assist the Philippine Customs in its strategic transformation, improve service delivery, and contribute more significantly to national economic development.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Groups Simplify Crossborder Rail Amid Pandemic

Global Groups Simplify Crossborder Rail Amid Pandemic

A joint statement by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF), and the Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) aims to coordinate and facilitate cross-border rail transport during the pandemic. It encourages the temporary acceptance of electronic documents to simplify customs procedures. Based on the Revised Kyoto Convention, this initiative seeks to ensure the continuity and facilitation of international rail transport and promote digital transformation within the rail transport industry.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WHO WCO Update HS Codes to Speed Vaccine Clearance

WHO WCO Update HS Codes to Speed Vaccine Clearance

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly released the latest HS code reference list for vaccines and related goods. This initiative aims to standardize international trade, accelerate the cross-border flow of vaccines, improve customs clearance efficiency, reduce trade costs, ensure vaccine quality, and promote international cooperation, ultimately contributing to the global fight against the pandemic. The unified HS codes will facilitate smoother and faster movement of essential vaccine supplies across borders.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches Virtual Leadership Program for Colombian Customs

WCO Launches Virtual Leadership Program for Colombian Customs

The World Customs Organization (WCO), at the request of the Colombian National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN), successfully conducted its first fully virtual Leadership and Management Development Programme. Focusing on leadership enhancement and crisis management, the program utilized innovative teaching methodologies and achieved significant results, improving the overall capabilities of individual participants, teams, and the organization. The Director General of DIAN highly praised the collaboration and expressed anticipation for future partnerships with the WCO to further organizational development.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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ASEAN AEO Certification Boosts Smes in Global Trade

ASEAN AEO Certification Boosts Smes in Global Trade

A joint report by the World Customs Organization, World Trade Organization, and International Chamber of Commerce highlights the importance of optimizing AEO programs to lower barriers for SMEs, provide differentiated services, enhance promotion, and strengthen international cooperation. This aims to empower SMEs, achieve more inclusive global trade growth, and shares practical experiences from both businesses and customs administrations. The report emphasizes streamlining processes and offering tailored support to facilitate SME participation in global trade through the AEO framework.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Kazakhstan Advances Customs Modernization Via WCO Audit Workshop

Kazakhstan Advances Customs Modernization Via WCO Audit Workshop

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted an online national seminar for Kazakhstan, focusing on post-clearance audit (PCA) capacity building. The seminar aimed to enhance the country's customs trade compliance, promote trade facilitation, and highlighted the importance of a 'soft and hard' approach to auditing, risk management, information sharing, and international cooperation. This initiative supports Kazakhstan's customs modernization efforts.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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