Dominican Republic Enhances Trade with Customs Reforms

Dominican Republic Enhances Trade with Customs Reforms

The WCO's Mercator Programme is assisting the Dominican Republic in accelerating trade facilitation and making progress in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The WCO will continue to provide technical support, focusing on areas such as the development of a Single Window system. This collaboration aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of cross-border trade for the Dominican Republic.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Bahamas Adopts WCO Study to Modernize Customs Efficiency

Bahamas Adopts WCO Study to Modernize Customs Efficiency

The World Customs Organization (WCO) assisted Bahamas Customs in conducting its first Time Release Study (TRS) to identify clearance bottlenecks, optimize processes, and improve efficiency. With WCO training and technical support, the Bahamas aims to significantly reduce clearance times, lower trade costs, and meet the requirements of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. This initiative is expected to promote economic growth and enhance the country's international image by streamlining customs procedures and fostering a more efficient trade environment.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Burkina Faso Customs Enhances Trade Via WCO Time Release Study

Burkina Faso Customs Enhances Trade Via WCO Time Release Study

Burkina Faso Customs, with the support of the WCO's WACAM project, conducted its first Time Release Study (TRS) to identify clearance bottlenecks and improve efficiency. The WCO provided training and technical assistance to help Burkina Faso implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, improve the business environment, and promote trade development. The TRS, through data analysis, provides Customs with improvement measures to reduce trade costs and enhance international competitiveness.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Forum Outlines Postpandemic Customs Strategy

WCO Forum Outlines Postpandemic Customs Strategy

The inaugural meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Working Methods Forum (CWOF) was successfully held, bringing together global experts to discuss the transformation of customs working methods. The meeting clarified future work directions, emphasizing the importance of technology, personnel, and leadership. It also planned follow-up activities aimed at building a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable customs system. The forum highlighted the need for customs administrations to adapt to evolving global challenges and embrace innovative approaches to trade facilitation and border security.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Zimbabwe Launches Electronic Single Window to Streamline Trade

Zimbabwe Launches Electronic Single Window to Streamline Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window (ZeSW) project. It enhances capacity through workshops and strengthens collaboration with government agencies to streamline trade procedures. The project aims to reduce operational costs for businesses, improve customs clearance efficiency, and enhance Zimbabwe's international competitiveness, ultimately leading to economic prosperity. WCO's support is crucial for the effective implementation and sustainability of the ZeSW, contributing to Zimbabwe's trade facilitation efforts and economic growth.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Madagascar Strengthens Disaster Resilience Amid Rising Humanitarian Needs

Madagascar Strengthens Disaster Resilience Amid Rising Humanitarian Needs

The World Customs Organization, the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University collaborated to enhance Madagascar's disaster response capabilities. Through improved standard operating procedures, workshops, and simulations, the country effectively coordinated relief efforts during Tropical Cyclone Batsirai. This experience provided valuable lessons for other nations facing similar challenges. The collaboration focused on strengthening customs procedures and inter-agency cooperation to ensure efficient delivery of aid and resources during emergencies, ultimately minimizing the impact of disasters on the vulnerable population.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Malawi Customs Adopts WCO Program to Enhance Audit Efficiency

Malawi Customs Adopts WCO Program to Enhance Audit Efficiency

The World Customs Organization (WCO)'s 'Advanced Post-Clearance Audit' workshop program aims to enhance the audit capabilities of member customs administrations, particularly addressing the challenges faced by developing countries when using manual audit tools. The program emphasizes systematic auditing, risk assessment, data analysis, and cooperative auditing concepts. Successfully piloted in Malawi, it helps customs administrations strike a balance between control and trade facilitation.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Ghana Tightens IP Laws to Curb Counterfeit Trade

Ghana Tightens IP Laws to Curb Counterfeit Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Ghana in enhancing the capacity of its customs officers to protect intellectual property rights and combat counterfeit goods. The workshop focused on the legal framework and practical exercises, leading to the seizure of a significant amount of counterfeit products. This initiative aims to strengthen Ghana's ability to enforce IP laws and prevent the entry of fake goods, benefiting both consumers and legitimate businesses. The training covered identification techniques and risk assessment strategies to effectively target and intercept illicit shipments.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Malawis Customs Talent Strategy Wins World Praise

Malawis Customs Talent Strategy Wins World Praise

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully assessed the talent development foundation of the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), aiming to help build a stronger human resource system to address the challenges posed by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The assessment covered key areas such as strategic orientation, capacity building, and training systems. A national e-learning platform was also launched to support the MRA in enhancing customs professional capabilities. This initiative is crucial for Malawi to effectively implement trade facilitation measures and improve its overall customs efficiency.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Customs Body Cracks Down on Counterfeit Trade

Global Customs Body Cracks Down on Counterfeit Trade

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO) highlighted the importance of combating counterfeit goods at the 6th International Conference “Georgia against Counterfeiting and Piracy.” He called for strengthened international cooperation and presented the WCO's actions in combating counterfeit medicines and medical devices. The conference also addressed new trends in counterfeit goods during the pandemic and how to more effectively combat counterfeiting to protect consumer rights and safety. The discussions emphasized the need for collaborative efforts and innovative strategies to tackle the evolving challenges posed by counterfeit products.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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