China Tightens Customs Rules to Curb Personal Shopping Proxies

China Tightens Customs Rules to Curb Personal Shopping Proxies

Starting June 1, China Customs has implemented new regulations for incoming travelers' luggage, prohibiting the release of five categories of imported goods to curb personal purchasing. Travelers must ensure their personal items from abroad fall within a 'reasonable quantity for personal use'; any excess will be temporarily held and subject to customs procedures. The tax exemption policy outlines specific restrictions for cigarettes, discs, and electronic products, which require special attention to compliance. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in customs intervention.

07/29/2025 Logistics
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WCO South Korea Aid Yemens Customs Reform Amid Crisis

WCO South Korea Aid Yemens Customs Reform Amid Crisis

With funding from the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF), the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a high-level seminar in Amman, Jordan, to assist Yemen Customs in transitioning from crisis response to recovery. The seminar focused on key issues such as capacity building and strategic planning. The WCO provided technical assistance and resource coordination, while Korea provided financial support. The Head of Yemen Customs expressed gratitude to the WCO and pledged to enhance trade security and competitiveness to achieve national recovery. This initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation in supporting fragile states.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Resumes Leadership Program to Train Future Customs Leaders

WCO Resumes Leadership Program to Train Future Customs Leaders

The WCO relaunched its Leadership Development Programme, aiming to enhance the leadership and management capabilities of customs officials. This initiative addresses international trade challenges and promotes customs modernization. Sixteen countries have benefited from the program. The WCO expresses gratitude to China, Japan, and Korea for their financial contributions and support.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Ghanas Customs Reforms Boost Women in West African Trade

Ghanas Customs Reforms Boost Women in West African Trade

The World Customs Organization partnered with the Ghana Revenue Authority on a Gender Equality and Diversity project, empowering female traders in Ghana. The project included stakeholder meetings with SMEs and small traders, aiming to simplify trade procedures, provide information support, and promote gender equality. The outcomes of these meetings will be used to improve customs services and create a more equitable trading environment for women traders. This initiative seeks to address barriers faced by women in trade and foster inclusive economic growth.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Mexico Israel Agree on Trade Pact to Streamline Customs

Mexico Israel Agree on Trade Pact to Streamline Customs

Mexico and Israel signed a joint action plan to promote mutual recognition of their Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs and enhance trade facilitation. This initiative will expedite customs clearance, reduce costs, and bring tangible benefits to businesses in both countries. It also sets a precedent for improving global trade security and efficiency. The agreement underscores the commitment of both nations to fostering a secure and efficient international trade environment through cooperation and the implementation of best practices in supply chain management.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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El Salvador Upgrades Customs Labs to Boost Trade Efficiency

El Salvador Upgrades Customs Labs to Boost Trade Efficiency

El Salvador hosted a workshop on modernizing customs laboratories to enhance commodity classification capabilities and promote trade facilitation. Sponsored by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the workshop focused on the Harmonized System (HS) classification and international cooperation. The aim was to improve the accuracy and efficiency of customs procedures, ultimately contributing to smoother and faster trade flows. This initiative underscores the importance of modern customs infrastructure and skilled personnel in supporting global trade and economic development.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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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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Americas Caribbean Customs Agencies Push Gender Equality at Forum

Americas Caribbean Customs Agencies Push Gender Equality at Forum

The Americas and Caribbean Customs Virtual Forum focused on gender equality and diversity, bringing together representatives from 24 countries. They shared experiences, discussed challenges, and launched the Spanish version of the WCO Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT). The forum aims to promote progress in gender equality within customs administrations and integrate it into the customs agenda. This initiative lays the foundation for building a more equitable and inclusive customs environment across the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Customs Time Release Study

Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Customs Time Release Study

Serbian Customs, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization, launched a National Clearance Time Study project. This initiative aims to optimize customs procedures through data analysis, enhancing trade efficiency and the business environment. The project, involving workshops and roadmap planning, identifies challenges, develops improvement measures, and promotes stakeholder engagement. The ultimate goal is to achieve trade facilitation and drive economic growth in Serbia.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Study Targets Trade Efficiency Through Customs Broker Reform

WCO Study Targets Trade Efficiency Through Customs Broker Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) published the 'Study Report on Customs Brokers' aiming to improve global customs broker standards. The report outlines the role of brokers in international supply chains, provides policy and organizational recommendations, offers a standardized model inventory, and highlights opportunities for cooperation between customs and brokers. Countries are encouraged to draw on the report to optimize broker management and promote trade facilitation.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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