Moldova Advances Customs Reform with SECOWCO Aid Targets 2026 TRS

Moldova Advances Customs Reform with SECOWCO Aid Targets 2026 TRS

Moldova, with the support of the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, held a virtual Time Release Study (TRS) workshop to assess clearance times and develop a national implementation roadmap. The goal is to complete the TRS report by January 2026, covering import and export processes, and to make it available to all stakeholders. The WCO pledged continued technical support to help Moldova improve trade facilitation and promote economic development. The TRS aims to identify bottlenecks and recommend improvements to streamline border procedures.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Hong Kong Customs Enhances Asiapacific Antismuggling Collaboration

Hong Kong Customs Enhances Asiapacific Antismuggling Collaboration

The Regional Office for Capacity Building Asia Pacific (ROCB A/P), with strong support from regional members like Hong Kong Customs, is dedicated to providing high-quality capacity building support to customs administrations in the Asia-Pacific region. The renewed dispatch of technical experts by Hong Kong Customs demonstrates its long-term commitment to regional capacity building. ROCB A/P will continue to play a vital role in facilitating regional trade development, ensuring trade security, and enhancing customs management capabilities.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Royal Brunei Airlines Launches Halal Cargo Route in Southeast Asia

Royal Brunei Airlines Launches Halal Cargo Route in Southeast Asia

Royal Brunei Airlines is creating value for global trade partners through its Halal food transportation expertise, innovative digital tools, and robust operational capabilities. Looking ahead, its competitiveness is expected to further improve with deeper investments in green aviation and smart logistics, providing new opportunities for Southeast Asian e-commerce logistics. The airline's focus on specialized services and technological advancements positions it as a key player in facilitating trade and meeting the evolving demands of the region's rapidly growing e-commerce sector.

01/04/2026 Airlines
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WCO Program Enhances Madagascar Customs Efficiency

WCO Program Enhances Madagascar Customs Efficiency

The World Customs Organization (WCO) provided technical assistance on risk management to Madagascar Customs, aiming to enhance trade facilitation by optimizing risk assessment, clearance procedures, and inter-agency collaboration. Funded by HM Revenue & Customs of the UK, the project involved an expert team analyzing the current situation and proposing improvements. This initiative supports Madagascar Customs in achieving sustainable development and economic growth by strengthening its risk management capabilities and streamlining trade processes, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and secure trading environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Expertise

Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Expertise

Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, a delegation from Uzbekistan Customs visited the Maldives to study post-clearance audit. Through experience exchange and practical exercises, Uzbekistan learned about the Maldives' best practices in risk management and trader compliance. Adapting these practices to their own context, Uzbekistan developed reform plans to improve its national post-clearance audit system and promote trade facilitation. The visit focused on building capacity and understanding practical implementation of modern audit techniques for enhanced efficiency.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Customs Experts Address Ecommerce Valuation Hurdles

Global Customs Experts Address Ecommerce Valuation Hurdles

The World Customs Organization's inaugural E-commerce and Customs Valuation Symposium addressed the challenges of valuing cross-border e-commerce goods. Representatives from international organizations, customs administrations, and businesses discussed data acquisition, valuation methodologies, compliance costs, and fraud risks. The symposium emphasized international cooperation, technological innovation, and process simplification to foster a fair, transparent, and efficient cross-border e-commerce environment. The aim is to promote global trade development by addressing valuation complexities and ensuring accurate revenue collection while facilitating legitimate trade flows.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Belgium WCO Train Francophone Africa to Boost Customs Capacity

Belgium WCO Train Francophone Africa to Boost Customs Capacity

The Belgian Customs Academy provides training for customs officers from Francophone African countries, covering customs management, trade facilitation, and international cooperation. Participants visited the WCO headquarters to gain a deeper understanding of international customs cooperation mechanisms. This training aims to improve customs management in Africa, promote regional trade development, and explore future opportunities for deepening international cooperation to continuously enhance African customs capabilities. The program emphasizes practical skills and knowledge transfer to foster efficient and effective customs operations across the region.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Qingdao Port Opens Direct Australia Shipping Route for Ecommerce

Qingdao Port Opens Direct Australia Shipping Route for Ecommerce

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Qingdao Port have launched the first direct Australia route in Northern China, significantly reducing transit times. Leveraging its robust hub capabilities and comprehensive logistics network, Qingdao Port enhances trade efficiency between Northern China and Australia, providing consumers with a more convenient cross-border e-commerce experience. This new route strengthens Qingdao Port's position as a key gateway for international trade and underscores the benefits of sea-rail intermodal transport for faster and more efficient supply chains.

01/26/2026 Logistics
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LA Long Beach Ports See Throughput Drop Amid Challenges

LA Long Beach Ports See Throughput Drop Amid Challenges

Los Angeles and Long Beach ports experienced a significant drop in February throughput due to a combination of factors including a global trade slowdown, the Lunar New Year holiday, and inventory backlogs. Despite these challenges, there is potential for future growth as Chinese production recovers and port infrastructure improves. Key to this growth is resolving labor negotiations, expanding trade partnerships, and improving service quality to adapt to market changes and achieve sustainable development. The decline highlights ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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LA Long Beach Ports Post Strong April Volumes May Outlook Weakens

LA Long Beach Ports Post Strong April Volumes May Outlook Weakens

Los Angeles and Long Beach ports showed strong throughput in April, but uncertainty surrounding tariff policies is expected to cause a significant decline in May. Analysis indicates April's growth was temporary, with continued weak exports and a surge in empty containers. The uncertainty of tariff policy negatively impacts the economy. Recommendations include strengthening trade cooperation, optimizing port operations, improving infrastructure, and promoting green development. The strong April performance is unlikely to be sustained due to ongoing trade tensions and their associated risks.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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