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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Malta Customs Adopts Innovation to Strengthen Island Economy

Malta Customs Adopts Innovation to Strengthen Island Economy

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization visited Malta to discuss development opportunities for small island economies. Malta's Finance Minister highlighted the country's economic transformation, emphasizing the crucial role of customs. The Prime Minister presented the vision of a "Blockchain Island" and called for strengthened international cooperation. Malta Customs has achieved significant success in risk management and technology application, providing a valuable reference for customs cooperation among Mediterranean countries. The discussions focused on leveraging technology and collaboration to enhance trade facilitation and security in the unique context of a small island nation.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Central American Customs Boost Global Trade with New Partnerships

Central American Customs Boost Global Trade with New Partnerships

The Heads of Customs Administrations of the Americas and the Caribbean Conference was held in Guatemala, focusing on global connectivity, risk management, and customs-business cooperation. The importance of the Revised Kyoto Convention was emphasized. Guatemala was elected as the new WCO Regional Vice-Chair. The conference promoted regional customs cooperation and pointed the way for global trade facilitation. It addressed key challenges and opportunities in the region, aiming to enhance efficiency and security in international trade flows. The discussions highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to streamline customs procedures.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Americas Caribbean Customs Boost Postclearance Audit Expertise

Americas Caribbean Customs Boost Postclearance Audit Expertise

The World Customs Organization held a Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) workshop in the Americas and Caribbean region to enhance the auditing capabilities of customs administrations. The aim was to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and integrate international standards into customs operations. The workshop focused on the role of risk management in PCA, facilitating the exchange of experiences among customs administrations and the joint development of regional audit plans. This aims to improve compliance control levels and safeguard tax revenue. The future of PCA will increasingly rely on digitization and intelligent technologies.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bosnia Adopts WCO Framework to Boost Customs Efficiency

Bosnia Adopts WCO Framework to Boost Customs Efficiency

With the support of the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund, the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a training program for the Bosnia and Herzegovina Customs Administration on optimizing cross-border e-commerce compliance procedures. The aim was to improve clearance efficiency, ensure trade security, promote compliant trade, and align with international standards. The training focused on the WCO Cross-Border E-Commerce Framework of Standards, covering areas such as risk management, data exchange, and intellectual property rights protection. This initiative assists Bosnia and Herzegovina Customs in achieving cross-border e-commerce compliance.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Reports Palestines Progress in Mercator Trade Program

WCO Reports Palestines Progress in Mercator Trade Program

A World Customs Organization (WCO) assessment reveals Palestine's active participation in the Mercator Programme, which supports the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and simplifies trade procedures. The Palestinian Customs Administration has benefited significantly in areas such as tariffs and risk management, maintaining close ties with the private sector and neighboring customs administrations. The assessment lays the groundwork for future tailored support, and the WCO will continue to provide assistance to promote Palestinian economic development and regional trade facilitation. This collaboration aims to further streamline customs processes and enhance trade efficiency.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Strengthens Bosnias Anticounterfeit Customs Efforts

WCO Strengthens Bosnias Anticounterfeit Customs Efforts

The World Customs Organization (WCO) organized an online workshop for Bosnia and Herzegovina Customs to enhance their capacity in intellectual property rights protection and address the challenges posed by counterfeit and pirated goods during the pandemic. Rights holders shared anti-counterfeiting techniques and emphasized the use of risk management tools. The WCO continues to strengthen the capacity building of its member customs administrations to build a safe and reliable trading environment. This initiative aims to equip customs officers with the necessary skills to combat the illicit trade of counterfeit goods.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Enhances Ugandas CITES Enforcement Against Wildlife Trafficking

WCO Enhances Ugandas CITES Enforcement Against Wildlife Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO) assessed the capacity of Uganda Customs to enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This assessment aims to strengthen Uganda Customs' ability to combat the illegal wildlife trade. The focus is on identifying areas for improvement in customs procedures, risk management, and international cooperation to effectively prevent the trafficking of endangered species and contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. The findings will be used to develop targeted capacity-building programs and support Uganda's efforts in combating wildlife crime.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Key Customs Declaration Tips for Smooth International Shipping

Key Customs Declaration Tips for Smooth International Shipping

This paper delves into the declaration elements of international freight forwarding, encompassing classification, price, and document review elements. It emphasizes their significance in commodity classification, price assessment, and risk management. Mastering these elements enables businesses to achieve efficient and compliant customs clearance, avoiding unnecessary delays and losses. Understanding these core components is crucial for smooth international trade operations and minimizing potential complications with customs authorities.

09/26/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Kenya Boosts Trade Efficiency with WCO Customs Program

Kenya Boosts Trade Efficiency with WCO Customs Program

Kenya Customs requested the WCO to conduct an assessment of its trade facilitation measures. The assessment highlighted progress in information availability and risk management. However, improvements are needed in coordination between agencies, capacity building initiatives, and the further development of ICT infrastructure for customs procedures. The report emphasized the importance of addressing these areas to enhance trade efficiency and reduce trade costs for businesses operating in Kenya.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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