WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

WCO Trains Customs Officials to Fight Cultural Heritage Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO) trained Customs officers from the Middle East and North Africa in Beirut to enhance their capacity to combat cultural property smuggling. The training covered key areas including identification of smuggled artifacts, international cooperation, relevant legal frameworks, and practical enforcement techniques. The aim was to equip officers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively identify, seize, and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage items, thereby contributing to the protection of cultural heritage in the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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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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Saudi Customs Launches Single Window for MENA Trade

Saudi Customs Launches Single Window for MENA Trade

A regional workshop held by the World Customs Organization in Saudi Arabia focused on coordinating border management, Single Window implementation, and the application of the WCO Data Model in the Middle East and North Africa region. The conference emphasized the importance of strategic planning, business process re-engineering, and data harmonization. The aim is to facilitate regional cross-border trade and economic development by streamlining procedures, improving efficiency, and enhancing transparency. This initiative seeks to create a more seamless and effective trade environment within the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO and ZATCA Enhance MENA Customs Training to Ease Trade

WCO and ZATCA Enhance MENA Customs Training to Ease Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with Saudi ZATCA, organized a Harmonized System (HS) expert pre-certification workshop for the Middle East and North Africa region. This initiative aims to cultivate local experts, enhance regional customs capacity, and facilitate trade. Through a rigorous assessment and certification process, the WCO will expand its pool of experts, support regional capacity building efforts, and promote the standardization of global trade practices. The workshop is a key step in strengthening regional customs expertise and streamlining trade processes.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Ecommerce Giants Eye 70B World Cup Sales Boom

Ecommerce Giants Eye 70B World Cup Sales Boom

The Qatar World Cup has ignited the cross-border e-commerce market, with total retail sales in the Middle East and North Africa projected to reach $70 billion. The report reveals the hot-selling trends of World Cup-related products, such as jerseys and souvenirs. Sellers need to focus on market research, logistics support, and compliant operation to seize opportunities and achieve business growth. This event presents a significant chance for e-commerce businesses to expand their reach and capitalize on the increased consumer demand.

01/16/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Russian IFLY Airlines Expands in Europe Middle East and Asia

Russian IFLY Airlines Expands in Europe Middle East and Asia

I-FLY Airlines is a Russian airline based in Moscow, established in 2009 with IATA code H5 and ICAO code RSY. The airline focuses on operating tourist flights to destinations in Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Asia. I-FLY Airlines is committed to providing passengers with a safe, comfortable, and convenient flying experience. It continuously optimizes its route network and service quality to meet the growing demands of the tourism sector.

09/26/2025 Airlines
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EU and Middle East Differ in Air Freight Customs Rules

EU and Middle East Differ in Air Freight Customs Rules

International air freight customs clearance varies by country. This article focuses on the EU and the Middle East, detailing the differences in required documentation, specific regulations, and declaration processes. The EU emphasizes standardization, requiring a uniform customs declaration. The Middle East requires attention to pallet requirements and religious/cultural restrictions. Mastering these differentiated customs clearance secrets will help your goods flow smoothly worldwide. This knowledge is crucial for efficient and compliant international air transport.

01/29/2026 Customs Knowledge
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World Customs Organization Boosts Gender Equality in East and Southern Africa

World Customs Organization Boosts Gender Equality in East and Southern Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through Phase II of the Finland-East and Southern Africa Project, is helping customs administrations in the region enhance their gender equality capabilities. This includes providing tools, organizing training, and promoting cooperation. Workshops focused on gender mainstreaming, sharing practical examples, and developing guidelines for regional development. The WCO will continue to support national customs agencies in building a more equitable, inclusive, and efficient working environment.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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MENA Nations Unite Against Antiquities Trafficking

MENA Nations Unite Against Antiquities Trafficking

A Middle East and North Africa Customs workshop was held in Tunisia, focusing on cultural heritage protection. The meeting analyzed the challenges of smuggling and proposed recommendations including strengthened cooperation, training, and the application of technology. Participants discussed strategies to combat illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts and enhance regional collaboration among customs administrations. The workshop emphasized the importance of raising awareness and building capacity to safeguard cultural heritage in the face of increasing threats from organized crime. The goal is to preserve the region's rich history and cultural identity.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches Antitrafficking Training in MENA to Protect Cultural Heritage

WCO Launches Antitrafficking Training in MENA to Protect Cultural Heritage

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with various partners, successfully conducted a training-of-trainers workshop for customs officers in the Middle East and North Africa region. This initiative aimed to enhance the capacity of customs personnel to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The training covered cultural property identification, risk management, and international cooperation, emphasizing the importance of implementing relevant WCO resolutions. This training represents a significant step by the WCO in the field of cultural heritage protection and contributes to strengthening the defenses against cultural property crime.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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