WCO Revises Strategies to Strengthen Global Trade Capacity

WCO Revises Strategies to Strengthen Global Trade Capacity

The 16th meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Capacity Building Committee, themed "Reshaping the WCO Capacity Building Paradigm," emphasized strategic alignment and resource optimization. The meeting aimed to update capacity building strategies to address global trade challenges. Discussions focused on the elements and operational aspects of the new paradigm, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration. The committee also elected new chairs and vice-chairs, setting the direction for global customs capacity building initiatives. The conference sought to modernize approaches to better support member states in navigating the evolving international trade landscape.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Datadriven Customs Reforms

Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Datadriven Customs Reforms

Serbia has established a Customs-Business Round Table to enhance trade facilitation through data-driven collaboration. Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, the initiative brings together representatives from government, chambers of commerce, and businesses to address customs operational challenges and optimize trade policies. The goal is to build a more efficient business environment. By focusing on data sharing, policy optimization, and risk prediction, Serbia aims to become a regional leader in trade facilitation. This collaborative approach is expected to streamline processes and boost economic growth.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Advocates Gender Equality to Boost Global Trade

WCO Advocates Gender Equality to Boost Global Trade

The World Customs Organization virtual working group meeting focused on gender equality and diversity within trade facilitation, emphasizing collaboration to foster an inclusive customs environment. Discussions explored the link between gender, inclusion, and trade, highlighting the need to raise awareness of the gender impact of trade policies. Customs administrations shared measures to promote gender equality and inclusion, aiming to ensure that more women and marginalized groups benefit from trade. The meeting underscored the importance of creating a level playing field and addressing systemic barriers to participation in international trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Sierra Leone Enhances Tax Collection with HR Modernization

Sierra Leone Enhances Tax Collection with HR Modernization

The National Revenue Authority (NRA) of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO), has launched a modernization project of its human resources system. This initiative aims to build a competency-based HRM system to improve recruitment, performance management, training, compensation, and employee relations. The goal is to inject talent and drive into the nation's economic development by strengthening the NRA's human capital. This comprehensive reform seeks to ensure a skilled and motivated workforce capable of effectively managing the country's revenue collection and contributing to sustainable economic growth.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Samoa Enhances Trade with Modernized Customs System

Samoa Enhances Trade with Modernized Customs System

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Samoa in improving cross-border trade efficiency. Through workshops coordinating border management, the WCO promotes inter-agency cooperation, shares best practices, and provides tool support. This initiative aims to help Samoa create an efficient and convenient cross-border trade environment, ultimately fostering economic prosperity. The workshops focus on streamlining procedures and enhancing collaboration among various government agencies involved in trade, leading to reduced delays and improved trade flows. Samoa's commitment to these reforms is expected to significantly boost its economic competitiveness.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches Antitrafficking Training in MENA to Protect Cultural Heritage

WCO Launches Antitrafficking Training in MENA to Protect Cultural Heritage

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with various partners, successfully conducted a training-of-trainers workshop for customs officers in the Middle East and North Africa region. This initiative aimed to enhance the capacity of customs personnel to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The training covered cultural property identification, risk management, and international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of implementing relevant WCO resolutions. This training represents a significant step by the WCO in the field of cultural heritage protection and contributes to strengthening the defenses against cultural property crime.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Backs African Customs Agencies to Strengthen Green Trade

WCO Backs African Customs Agencies to Strengthen Green Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme and the Basel Convention Secretariat, conducted workshops in Kenya and Tanzania. These workshops aimed to enhance the knowledge and enforcement capabilities of the two countries' customs departments regarding the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol. This initiative is part of the Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, designed to promote sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa and strengthen the role of customs in environmental protection. The workshops focused on identifying and intercepting illegal shipments of hazardous waste and ozone-depleting substances.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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US Ports Accelerate Upgrades As Supply Chains Shift

US Ports Accelerate Upgrades As Supply Chains Shift

US ports are facing new challenges due to the Panama Canal expansion. West Coast ports need to accommodate mega-ships, while East Coast and Gulf Coast ports are actively upgrading their infrastructure. Natural disasters like hurricanes are also pushing ports to enhance early warning and emergency response capabilities. The future of port infrastructure development will focus on intelligence, automation, green practices, and collaboration to improve efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. These advancements are crucial for adapting to the evolving global supply chain and ensuring the long-term viability of US ports.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Lianlian International Boosts Zhongshan Lighting Industrys Global Reach

Lianlian International Boosts Zhongshan Lighting Industrys Global Reach

LianLian Global, in collaboration with partners, held an overseas conference for the lighting industrial belt in Guzhen, Zhongshan, aiming to help local lighting companies transform into cross-border e-commerce. The conference brought together platforms, service providers, and manufacturing enterprises, providing comprehensive support such as cross-border payment, logistics, and platform operation. This initiative helps companies solve challenges in going global, seize global market opportunities, and promote the digital transformation of China's manufacturing industry. The goal is to empower businesses to navigate the complexities of international trade and thrive in the global marketplace.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Douyin Introduces 30minute Videos and 4K Uploads to Enhance Platform

Douyin Introduces 30minute Videos and 4K Uploads to Enhance Platform

Douyin's allowing 30-minute videos and 4K uploads marks a significant shift in its content strategy from 'short' to 'long,' aiming to address shortcomings in short-form content and seize market opportunities. This move will encourage in-depth content creation, promote content diversification, and help Douyin build a one-stop commercial platform. It foreshadows the future development of content platforms towards depth, diversification, commercialization, and integrated services.

01/04/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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