WCO JICA Boost Customs Valuation Training in Southern Africa

WCO JICA Boost Customs Valuation Training in Southern Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint project is progressing in Southern Africa. The 3rd Working Group activity of the Customs Valuation (CV) Master Trainer Programme (MTP) aimed to enhance the customs valuation capabilities of Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. The project focuses on developing a regional pool of trainers and creating training materials. This initiative seeks to promote fairness and efficiency in international trade by strengthening customs valuation expertise within the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Tiktok Shop Targets 50B in Global Sales Expansion

Tiktok Shop Targets 50B in Global Sales Expansion

TikTok Shop plans to expand to markets including Australia, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Canada, Japan, and South Korea in 2024, aiming for a GMV of $50 billion. The new sites may adopt a 'semi-closed loop' model to quickly attract sellers and activate the local e-commerce market. This expansion will bring new opportunities for cross-border e-commerce, with social commerce potentially becoming a key driver of growth. The move signifies TikTok's aggressive push into global e-commerce.

01/06/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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WCO Enhances Asiapacific IP Protection with Certified Experts

WCO Enhances Asiapacific IP Protection with Certified Experts

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has completed a Technical Operational Advisor (TOA) certification training program in Japan, focusing on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aims to enhance the region's customs capabilities in combating counterfeit and pirated goods. Following rigorous assessment and training, customs officials from various countries will become key WCO resources in the region, providing technical support to member customs administrations and collectively addressing the increasingly complex challenges of intellectual property infringement.

01/05/2026 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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Global Watch Market Expands for Crossborder Sellers

Global Watch Market Expands for Crossborder Sellers

This article provides an in-depth analysis of the global watch market's current state and future trends, focusing on key regional markets like the US, Japan, and Europe. It explores consumer trends such as smartwatches, vintage watches, personalized customization, and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the article identifies the challenges faced by cross-border sellers venturing overseas and proposes corresponding strategies. It aims to offer sellers a detailed market analysis and a guide to capitalize on opportunities in the watch market.

02/12/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Chinese Firms Dominate Japans TV Market

Chinese Firms Dominate Japans TV Market

The Japanese TV market is undergoing a significant transformation, with Chinese-funded enterprises increasingly dominating brands like Sony and Toshiba. TCL and Hisense, among other Chinese brands, are rapidly gaining market share in Japan. It is projected that 'Chinese-funded' TVs will become the market leader, marking a profound shift in the Japanese television manufacturing industry. This trend reflects a change in brand ownership and highlights the growing influence of Chinese companies in the global TV market.

02/11/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Shanghaitokyo Sea Freight Costs Timelines Face Rising Risks

Shanghaitokyo Sea Freight Costs Timelines Face Rising Risks

This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the cost structure, time efficiency factors, and risk control strategies of the Shanghai-Tokyo sea freight route. By comparing the advantages and disadvantages of sea and air transport, it offers decision-making references for companies when choosing a transportation method, helping them succeed in international trade. The study focuses on optimizing logistics and minimizing expenses within the context of China-Japan trade relations, specifically concerning maritime transport options.

02/02/2026 Logistics
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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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