Customs Agencies Tackle Global Waste Trade Crisis

Customs Agencies Tackle Global Waste Trade Crisis

A World Customs Organization report highlights the serious global waste trade situation, emphasizing the crucial role of customs in border control. The report analyzes the regional characteristics of waste trade and major illegal trade targets. It proposes strengthening risk management, increasing resource investment, enhancing international cooperation, and applying technology to address the issue. The aim is to build a new global waste governance framework. The report underscores the importance of effective customs procedures to combat illegal waste shipments and protect the environment.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Honduras Adopts WCO Framework to Boost Ecommerce Trade

Honduras Adopts WCO Framework to Boost Ecommerce Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is supporting Honduras Customs in enhancing its cross-border e-commerce management capabilities. Through workshops and the WCO Cross-Border E-Commerce Framework of Standards, the initiative aims to optimize customs clearance processes, strengthen risk management, promote tax compliance, and create a more favorable environment for SMEs to participate in international trade. A work plan will be developed to build a framework of security, control, and facilitation, ultimately promoting the development of cross-border e-commerce in Honduras.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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African Customs Agencies Boost Trade and Capacity Efforts

African Customs Agencies Boost Trade and Capacity Efforts

The 19th meeting of the Customs Management Council of the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region focused on trade facilitation and capacity building. Emphasis was placed on the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Discussions covered regional cooperation, financial management, and the appointment of the WCO Director. The meeting aimed to promote African trade growth and regional economic integration through innovative customs procedures. Furthermore, the goal was to enhance customs efficiency and risk management capabilities within the ESA region.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Armenia Modernizes Customs with WCO Support to Boost Trade

Armenia Modernizes Customs with WCO Support to Boost Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Armenia in developing a Mercator Implementation Plan. This plan aims to comprehensively improve customs clearance efficiency and trade facilitation in Armenia by optimizing key areas such as advance rulings, risk management, and the single window system. The initiative is expected to inject new vitality into Armenia's economic development by streamlining trade processes and reducing associated costs. The focus is on modernizing customs procedures to align with international best practices and facilitate smoother cross-border trade.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Disruptive Tech Transforms Global Trade and Customs

Disruptive Tech Transforms Global Trade and Customs

The World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization are actively promoting the application of disruptive technologies in customs globally. Through collaborative research, project implementation, and report publication, they aim to raise awareness among members about technology applications, promote trade facilitation, and enhance border security. Embracing technological change is crucial for customs to modernize and improve competitiveness. This includes exploring AI, blockchain, and IoT to streamline processes, improve risk management, and foster a more efficient and secure global trade environment.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Guatemala Boosts Trade Compliance with Customs Valuation Training

Guatemala Boosts Trade Compliance with Customs Valuation Training

The Guatemala National Workshop on Customs Valuation aims to improve customs valuation practices and promote trade compliance and efficiency. The workshop covers topics such as the interpretation of the WTO Valuation Agreement, Guatemalan customs regulations, practical valuation operations, risk management, and dispute resolution. Through knowledge sharing and capacity building, it helps Guatemala integrate into the global trading system. The workshop seeks to strengthen Guatemala's ability to accurately value goods, facilitate legitimate trade, and prevent revenue loss, contributing to its economic development.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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SECO WCO Enhance Americas Customs Via IMF Program

SECO WCO Enhance Americas Customs Via IMF Program

The SECO-WCO GTFP supports the IMF's advanced course on tax and customs administration, aiming to enhance the strategic planning and risk management capabilities of tax and customs officials in the Americas, enabling them to address new trends in international trade. This course, a collaborative effort, provides a comprehensive learning experience and emphasizes the importance of customs and tax administration for national competitiveness, ultimately promoting sustainable economic development. It equips officials with the tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their respective fields.

02/12/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Strengthens Zambias Antiwildlife Trafficking Efforts

WCO Strengthens Zambias Antiwildlife Trafficking Efforts

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its INAMA project, supports Zambia Customs in enhancing its intelligence capabilities to combat the illegal trade in endangered species. A WCO expert team visited Zambia to provide strategic advice and technical assistance, covering intelligence gathering, analysis, dissemination, and risk management. This initiative aims to strengthen Zambia Customs' enforcement capabilities and contribute to global biodiversity conservation efforts. The project focuses on improving intelligence-led enforcement to effectively target and disrupt wildlife trafficking networks operating through Zambian borders.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WTO Moves to Standardize Global Customs Valuation Rules

WTO Moves to Standardize Global Customs Valuation Rules

The 1983 Customs Valuation Committee Decision clarified that the English term "undertaken" in the Customs Valuation Agreement should be interpreted as "carried out." This aims to standardize international trade terminology, enhance the accuracy and consistency of customs valuation, reduce the risk of trade disputes, and facilitate international trade. The French and Spanish versions of the term remain unchanged. This clarification ensures a more uniform application of the agreement across different language versions, promoting fairness and predictability in international trade transactions.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bhutan Boosts Environmental Compliance with Border Reforms

Bhutan Boosts Environmental Compliance with Border Reforms

Bhutan Customs plays a crucial role in environmental compliance regulation, committed to environmental protection through multi-sector collaboration, legal frameworks, and cross-border cooperation. The application of Single Window Environment (SWE) and simplified customs procedures enhance regulatory efficiency. Facing challenges in knowledge, information sharing, and technology, Bhutan Customs will strengthen cooperation, participate in international projects, and utilize advance cargo information to achieve sustainable development. This includes improving data collection and analysis for better risk assessment and targeting of illegal environmental trade.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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