Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

With the support of the EU-WCO Harmonized System Programme for Africa, the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) organized a national commodity classification workshop. This initiative aims to enhance the commodity classification skills of customs officers, address issues such as incorrect classification and false declarations, and close tax loopholes. By combining online learning with offline workshops, the program strengthens both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, building a comprehensive support system. This contributes to customs modernization, ultimately promoting economic prosperity in Namibia.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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HS Codes Boost Green Transition in Textile Industry

HS Codes Boost Green Transition in Textile Industry

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a seminar exploring how the Harmonized System (HS) can support the green transition of the textile industry. Participants emphasized the importance of value chain transparency, industry sustainability strategies, circular economy standardization, and technological innovation. Discussions focused on the role of the HS in identifying environmentally friendly textiles, aiming to foster a greener global trade system. The seminar highlighted the potential of HS codes to promote sustainable practices and contribute to a more environmentally responsible textile sector worldwide.

02/03/2026 HS Code Query
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2017 HS Code Revisions Impact Global Trade Practices

2017 HS Code Revisions Impact Global Trade Practices

The World Customs Organization (WCO) implemented its fifth major revision to the Harmonized System (HS) Nomenclature and Coding system in 2017. This revision includes 233 sets of amendments spanning key sectors such as agriculture, chemicals, timber, textiles, base metals, machinery, and transportation. The aim of this revision is to enhance the accuracy and applicability of HS codes, thereby having a profound impact on global trade. These changes are crucial for businesses involved in international trade to ensure compliance and accurate classification of goods.

02/03/2026 HS Code Query
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Rotterdam Convention Spurs Customs Code Reform for Chemical Trade

Rotterdam Convention Spurs Customs Code Reform for Chemical Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) recommends revising the Harmonized System (HS) codes to more accurately track and regulate the international trade of hazardous chemicals controlled under the Rotterdam Convention. This aims to improve data quality, enhance international cooperation, and support more effective chemical management policies. Businesses need to proactively address compliance challenges and work together to build a safer global trade system. This revision will allow for better monitoring and enforcement of the Convention, ensuring responsible trade practices for dangerous chemicals.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Understanding HS Product Codes and Declaration Elements: A Practical Guide

Understanding HS Product Codes and Declaration Elements: A Practical Guide

This article explores the importance of classifying HS (Harmonized System) customs codes and filling out declaration elements. Through practical declaration cases, it offers practical guidance for professionals in international trade and freight forwarding. The article analyzes the classification standards, purposes, and specific declaration methods for various goods, aiming to enhance customs declaration efficiency, reduce the risk of errors, and ensure the smooth progress of international trade.

07/21/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Seychelles Adopts WCO Standards to Simplify Trade

Seychelles Adopts WCO Standards to Simplify Trade

Seychelles is actively adopting the WCO's Harmonized System (HS) standards to improve trade efficiency. This involves overcoming challenges through training programs, revising regulations, and upgrading systems. These efforts aim to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade barriers, and ultimately foster trade development within the country. The implementation of HS standards is crucial for aligning with international best practices and facilitating smoother international trade transactions for Seychelles.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Report Green HS Codes Boost Sustainable Trade

WCO Report Green HS Codes Boost Sustainable Trade

The WCO report highlights the crucial role of HS codes in promoting environmentally friendly trade, as discussed in the "Visualizing Green HS" workshop. The report emphasizes the need for collaboration to translate discussions into action, optimizing the HS coding system to identify and facilitate trade in environmentally sound goods. This aims to drive global sustainable development and provide a clear roadmap for the greening of HS codes. It underscores the importance of a harmonized system that accurately reflects and supports green trade initiatives worldwide.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Turkmenistan Modernizes Customs with Datadriven Trade Workshop

Turkmenistan Modernizes Customs with Datadriven Trade Workshop

Turkmenistan hosted a WCO Harmonized System (HS) national workshop aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of tariff classification through international cooperation and capacity building, thereby promoting trade facilitation and compliance. The workshop covered HS fundamentals, specific commodity classification, and pre-ruling guidance. It also explored future development directions such as intelligent classification, big data analysis, and risk management, assisting Turkmenistan in building a more efficient and intelligent tariff system. The goal is to enhance customs procedures and contribute to smoother international trade flows.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Issues Guidance for Consistent HS Commodity Classification

WCO Issues Guidance for Consistent HS Commodity Classification

The World Customs Organization (WCO) recommendations promote the implementation of Harmonized System (HS) resolutions, facilitating global trade and compliance. These recommendations, often discussed within the HS Committee, aim to provide clarity and consistency in customs classification. By adhering to WCO guidelines and HS resolutions, countries can streamline import and export processes, reduce trade barriers, and ensure accurate tariff application. This ultimately contributes to a more efficient and transparent international trading environment.

11/03/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO and UN Push for Global Trade Data Standardization

WCO and UN Push for Global Trade Data Standardization

The World Customs Organization (WCO) recommends that its member customs administrations transmit trade data based on the Harmonized System (HS) to the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD). This aims to promote the standardization and interoperability of global trade data. This initiative is significant for improving data quality, strengthening international cooperation, promoting trade facilitation, and fostering sustainable development. Ultimately, it contributes to building a new landscape for global trade data sharing.

11/03/2025 Customs Knowledge
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