DR Congo Enhances Customs Valuation with WCO Assistance

DR Congo Enhances Customs Valuation with WCO Assistance

The WCO is assisting the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Customs to enhance its valuation capabilities, addressing challenges following contract termination to safeguard revenue and ensure fair trade. This initiative is part of the WCO's West and Central Africa assistance program. The support aims to strengthen customs procedures and improve the accuracy of valuation processes, thereby contributing to increased revenue collection and a more transparent trading environment in the DRC.

Indonesia Boosts Customs Oversight with WCO Training Center

Indonesia Boosts Customs Oversight with WCO Training Center

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Indonesian Customs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Regional Training Center (RTC) and a Regional Customs Laboratory (RCL) in Indonesia. This initiative aims to enhance regional customs capacity building, facilitate trade, and promote economic development. Indonesian Customs will leverage its regional leadership to share best practices through the RTC and RCL, strengthening regional cooperation and addressing global trade challenges.

WCO Boosts Philippine Customs to Speed Trade Reforms

WCO Boosts Philippine Customs to Speed Trade Reforms

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a leadership and management development workshop for the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Philippines. The workshop aimed to enhance strategic alignment, teamwork, and individual growth, thereby promoting trade facilitation reforms and improving trade efficiency. Focusing on key challenges, the workshop emphasized the importance of Time Release Studies. This initiative supports the BOC in achieving modernization and sustainable development within the Philippine customs administration.

Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Datadriven Customs Reforms

Serbia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Datadriven Customs Reforms

Serbia has established a Customs-Business Round Table to enhance trade facilitation through data-driven collaboration. Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, the initiative brings together representatives from government, chambers of commerce, and businesses to address customs operational challenges and optimize trade policies. The goal is to build a more efficient business environment. By focusing on data sharing, policy optimization, and risk prediction, Serbia aims to become a regional leader in trade facilitation. This collaborative approach is expected to streamline processes and boost economic growth.

EU Backs Cameroon Customs Modernization to Ease Trade

EU Backs Cameroon Customs Modernization to Ease Trade

Cameroon, with EU funding and support from the World Customs Organization, is undergoing customs modernization, focusing on standardizing tariff terminology. Training programs are enhancing skills and promoting trade facilitation. The initiative aims to streamline customs procedures, improve efficiency, and foster economic growth by simplifying trade processes and ensuring accurate tariff classification. This modernization effort is expected to reduce delays, lower costs, and increase transparency in international trade for Cameroon.

Asiapacific Customs Adopts Remote Training for Capacity Building

Asiapacific Customs Adopts Remote Training for Capacity Building

The 19th WCO Asia/Pacific Regional Training Center Heads Meeting was held online, focusing on the challenges and practices of distance learning under the pandemic. Participants shared experiences, discussed innovative models, and emphasized collaborative construction, aiming to enhance regional customs capacity building and respond to the new international trade environment. The meeting highlighted the importance of adapting training methodologies to effectively address the evolving needs of customs administrations in the region and ensure continued professional development despite global disruptions.

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits in Joint Workshop

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits in Joint Workshop

Under the World Customs Organization framework, Uzbekistan and Maldives Customs successfully held an online seminar focusing on the exchange of Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) experiences. The Maldives shared their practices in organizational structure, legal framework, operating procedures, and IT systems, aiming to enhance Uzbekistan's capabilities in PCA. This exchange also strengthened customs cooperation between the two countries, fostering trade facilitation and improving customs administration efficiency. The seminar provided a platform for knowledge sharing and best practice adoption in the area of post-clearance audit.

Ukraine Customs Modernization Aims to Enhance Trade Efficiency

Ukraine Customs Modernization Aims to Enhance Trade Efficiency

With the assistance of the World Customs Organization, the State Customs Service of Ukraine has completed a draft strategic planning framework. This framework aims to strengthen customs border management, modernize customs operations, and enhance Ukraine's institutional trade platform. The plan encompasses key elements such as stakeholder analysis, SWOT analysis, and a reimagined vision and mission. It emphasizes the importance of risk management, specific measures, timelines, and performance indicators. This strategic plan lays the foundation for the modernization and transformation of Ukrainian customs.

Africaasia Customs Boost Wildlife Trafficking Fight Via INAMA

Africaasia Customs Boost Wildlife Trafficking Fight Via INAMA

The INAMA project supports nine countries in Africa and Asia to enhance their capacity to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT) by deploying expert missions. The project focuses on training frameworks, legal instruments, risk management, and action plans. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Customs Cooperation Fund, this initiative aims to effectively curb IWT crimes and protect global biodiversity through international cooperation. It strengthens customs enforcement and promotes sustainable solutions to address the complex challenges posed by wildlife trafficking.

Gambia Boosts Customs Risk Management with Global Partners

Gambia Boosts Customs Risk Management with Global Partners

The Gambia Revenue Authority, with support from the World Customs Organization and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), conducted a series of workshops aimed at building a strategic framework for risk management. This initiative introduces an intelligence-driven risk management approach to enhance trade facilitation and strengthen customs controls. This marks a significant step for The Gambia in improving customs administration and promoting smoother trade processes. The focus is on proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks while simultaneously streamlining legitimate trade flows.