WCO Advocates Sustainable Goals at UNCTAD Nairobi Summit

WCO Advocates Sustainable Goals at UNCTAD Nairobi Summit

The WCO reaffirmed its commitment to the SDGs, promoting trade facilitation tools and actively participating in addressing e-commerce challenges. These efforts aim to foster inclusive and equitable global trade. The WCO's focus on sustainable development ensures that trade practices are environmentally sound and socially responsible. By streamlining cross-border transactions and simplifying customs procedures, the WCO facilitates efficient and cost-effective trade for businesses of all sizes, particularly benefiting SMEs. Ultimately, the WCO strives to create a more level playing field in international trade, enabling greater participation and shared prosperity.

WCO Enhances Nigeria Ghana Customs to Boost Trade

WCO Enhances Nigeria Ghana Customs to Boost Trade

With WCO support, Nigeria and Ghana jointly organized a training of trainers program on valuation, aiming to enhance customs valuation capabilities and promote trade facilitation in both countries. Following the termination of contracts with private inspection companies and the return of valuation responsibilities to customs, this training covered technical valuation, valuation control, and trainer skills. The goal is to strengthen the national valuation trainer pool in both countries, injecting new momentum into trade development in West Africa. This initiative is expected to improve valuation accuracy and efficiency, ultimately contributing to smoother trade flows.

WCO Marks 20 Years of Boosting Asiapacific Customs Capacity

WCO Marks 20 Years of Boosting Asiapacific Customs Capacity

The WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building Asia Pacific (ROCB A/P) celebrates its 20th anniversary. It has significantly enhanced customs capacity in the region and promoted trade facilitation. Moving forward, the ROCB A/P will continue to strengthen cooperation with member administrations and partners. Its focus remains on delivering effective capacity building programs and fostering regional integration to support sustainable economic growth and security within the Asia-Pacific region. The anniversary marks a significant milestone in the ROCB A/P's commitment to advancing customs modernization and regional collaboration.

WCO Introduces French Online Courses for Trade Efficiency

WCO Introduces French Online Courses for Trade Efficiency

The WCO has launched a French version of its Data Model and Customs Valuation online course to help customs officers in French-speaking regions improve their skills and promote trade facilitation. This initiative aims to empower customs officials with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively implement the WCO Data Model and apply customs valuation principles. By providing access to this comprehensive training in French, the WCO is enhancing accessibility and fostering greater participation, ultimately contributing to more efficient and transparent customs procedures and smoother international trade flows.

Malta Customs Adopts Innovation to Strengthen Island Economy

Malta Customs Adopts Innovation to Strengthen Island Economy

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization visited Malta to discuss development opportunities for small island economies. Malta's Finance Minister highlighted the country's economic transformation, emphasizing the crucial role of customs. The Prime Minister presented the vision of a "Blockchain Island" and called for strengthened international cooperation. Malta Customs has achieved significant success in risk management and technology application, providing a valuable reference for customs cooperation among Mediterranean countries. The discussions focused on leveraging technology and collaboration to enhance trade facilitation and security in the unique context of a small island nation.

WCO Implements New Trade Valuation Rules to Boost Revenue

WCO Implements New Trade Valuation Rules to Boost Revenue

The WCO Technical Committee on Customs Valuation has adopted two new advisory opinions concerning the valuation treatment of income tax in royalties and the valuation of buyer's own trademarks on imported goods. These new rules aim to enhance certainty and transparency in customs valuation, promote international trade facilitation, optimize customs revenue, and ensure the healthy development of global trade. They provide guidance on complex valuation issues, contributing to a more predictable and equitable international trade environment. The opinions seek to clarify existing valuation principles and address practical challenges faced by customs administrations and traders alike.

WCO Aids Bosnia in Ecommerce Customs Reform

WCO Aids Bosnia in Ecommerce Customs Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a cross-border e-commerce workshop in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to enhance BiH Customs' awareness of WCO tools and initiatives, promoting the security and facilitation of cross-border e-commerce. The workshop highlighted the WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce and the Immediate Release Guidelines, and discussed topics such as intellectual property rights protection. BiH Customs officials stated that the workshop deepened their understanding of WCO tools and will contribute to the implementation of the E-Commerce Framework of Standards (FoS).

WCO South Korea Boost Trade Training with Clikc Upgrade

WCO South Korea Boost Trade Training with Clikc Upgrade

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Korea Customs Service (KCS), is upgrading the CLiKC! e-learning platform to enhance the capacity of customs officials worldwide to address emerging technologies and global trade trends. By developing new courses, optimizing platform technology, and expanding language support, this project will provide higher-quality training resources for customs personnel and supply chain partners. This initiative aims to promote global trade facilitation and international customs cooperation, ultimately strengthening the global customs community's ability to navigate the complexities of modern trade.

Ghana Customs Officials Attend WCO Leadership Workshop

Ghana Customs Officials Attend WCO Leadership Workshop

The WCO collaborated with the Ghana Revenue Authority to conduct a leadership workshop aimed at enhancing customs management capabilities and promoting modernization. This initiative supports the ongoing efforts to strengthen customs operations in Ghana. The World Bank provides funding to support customs capacity building in Africa, contributing to improved trade facilitation and revenue collection. The workshop focused on developing leadership skills among customs officials, enabling them to effectively manage teams and implement modern customs practices. The ultimate goal is to create a more efficient and effective customs administration in Ghana.

Ukraine Customs Academy Becomes Key EU Officer Training Hub

Ukraine Customs Academy Becomes Key EU Officer Training Hub

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has established a European Regional Training Center in Ukraine to enhance the capacity of customs officials in the European region, promoting trade facilitation and security. The Ukrainian Customs Academy was designated as the location for the training center, and a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the WCO. The center will provide high-quality training courses covering various aspects of customs management, helping European customs administrations address international trade challenges and build efficient and secure customs systems. This initiative strengthens regional cooperation and supports effective customs practices.