WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation in Pacific Islands

WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation in Pacific Islands

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launched a Customs Valuation Mentor Training Program for Pacific Island Countries, aiming to build a regional pool of experts and enhance customs valuation capabilities. The program promotes regional cooperation, enhances competitiveness, and achieves sustainable development by cultivating local experts and developing regional training materials. Recommended follow-up actions include strengthening training evaluation, establishing an information-sharing platform, and improving legal and regulatory frameworks.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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South Koreas Aviation Sector Soars Amid Rapid Growth

South Koreas Aviation Sector Soars Amid Rapid Growth

The Korean aviation market is experiencing strong growth, driven by the recovery of domestic routes and routes to Japan and Southeast Asia. Korean Air Group dominates the market, while competition from low-cost carriers (LCCs) is fueling further development. However, the recovery of routes to China is progressing at a slower pace. The overall positive trend indicates a promising outlook for the Korean aviation industry, despite the challenges posed by the slower recovery of the Chinese market.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Global Ecommerce Relies on Precise Shipping Addresses

Global Ecommerce Relies on Precise Shipping Addresses

Accurate address formatting is crucial for international express shipments. This article details the standard format and highlights specific requirements for key countries like the US, UK, Japan, and Brazil. It analyzes three consequences of incorrect addresses and their likelihood, offering practical advice. This includes using official address verification tools, providing addresses in both English and the local language, and including dual contact information. These tips help cross-border e-commerce sellers avoid lost packages and ensure successful deliveries.

01/19/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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WCO Enhances Asiapacific IP Protection with New Experts

WCO Enhances Asiapacific IP Protection with New Experts

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a Technical and Operational Advisor (TOA) Accreditation Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in Japan. This initiative aims to strengthen the IPR enforcement capabilities of customs administrations in the Asia-Pacific region. By certifying highly qualified experts, the WCO is committed to building a sustainable IPR protection system, combating cross-border trade in counterfeit and pirated goods, and promoting the construction of an IPR protection community in the Asia-Pacific region.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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East Africa Enhances Customs Audits Via WCOJICA Training

East Africa Enhances Customs Audits Via WCOJICA Training

The MTP project, a joint initiative between the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has successfully developed a team of customs audit trainers and created regional training materials in East Africa. This initiative has significantly enhanced the region's customs audit capabilities, contributing to trade facilitation and regional economic development. The project's impact lies in its focus on building local expertise and providing tailored resources to address specific challenges within the East African context.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Cameroon Customs Adopts Digital Tools to Strengthen Supply Chains

Cameroon Customs Adopts Digital Tools to Strengthen Supply Chains

Cameroon Customs, with the support of the WCO and the Government of Japan, held a seminar to enhance disaster response capabilities and promote digital tools to optimize customs clearance processes. This initiative aims to build a more resilient customs system, providing a more stable and efficient trading environment for businesses and fostering economic development in Cameroon. The focus is on strengthening customs' ability to withstand disruptions and leverage technology for improved efficiency and security in international trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Japanese Startup Smartnews Disrupts News Aggregation Market

Japanese Startup Smartnews Disrupts News Aggregation Market

SmartNews, a Japan-based news aggregation unicorn, has rapidly risen through precise recommendation technology and global expansion. Its core competitiveness lies in personalized content recommendation and a high-quality content ecosystem, partnering with top global media outlets to provide users with diverse information. Moving forward, SmartNews will continue to innovate technologically, expand its global market presence, and enhance user experience. This strategy allows them to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving news landscape and cater to a global audience.

01/27/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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WCO JICA Boost Customs Revenue in Pacific Islands

WCO JICA Boost Customs Revenue in Pacific Islands

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launched the Pacific Islands Customs "Professional Mentoring Framework" (PMF) to enhance customs modernization in the region. A preparatory meeting identified customs valuation and commodity classification as priority areas. The project's success hinges on accurate needs assessments, practical training content, diverse training methods, scientific impact evaluation, and ensuring sustainability. The PMF aims to build capacity and improve tax administration through effective mentorship and targeted training programs.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Niche Outdoor Brand Barebones Grows Rapidly Via Content Marketing

Niche Outdoor Brand Barebones Grows Rapidly Via Content Marketing

Barebones distinguished itself in the competitive outdoor goods market, particularly experiencing a surge in traffic in Japan, by adhering to sustainability principles, innovative product design, content-driven marketing, and precise advertising. This case offers valuable lessons for other outdoor brands, demonstrating that a commitment to sustainability and scenario-based experiences are crucial for brand growth. Their success highlights the importance of aligning brand values with consumer demand for eco-conscious and engaging experiences in the outdoor space.

02/03/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint project, 'Train-the-Trainers Programme', has made significant progress in East Africa, enhancing customs capacity by developing a pool of post-clearance audit experts and creating training materials. The project innovatively adopted a 'virtual working group' model during the pandemic to ensure its smooth continuation. Moving forward, the project will further improve training skills and build a sustainable mechanism for customs capacity enhancement in the region.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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