WCO Chief Visits Dutch Customs to Boost Global Trade Links

WCO Chief Visits Dutch Customs to Boost Global Trade Links

WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited the Netherlands Customs, focusing on information sharing, GNC, data quality, the Multilateral Mutual Assistance Convention, and mutual recognition, discussing global customs cooperation. The Secretary General expressed gratitude for the Netherlands' contribution to WCO technical assistance and looks forward to continued collaboration to build an open, efficient, and secure new global trade landscape. The visit highlighted the importance of strengthened partnerships and innovative solutions for addressing evolving challenges in international trade and customs administration.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Customs Officers Get Guide to Key Environmental Treaties

Customs Officers Get Guide to Key Environmental Treaties

This handbook provides customs officers with a practical guide to key Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) such as the Basel Convention and CITES. It aims to assist frontline personnel in quickly identifying violations and taking appropriate action. The handbook emphasizes its use in conjunction with the 'Green Customs Initiative MEA Guide'. It helps customs officials understand their role in enforcing environmental regulations and preventing illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods, thereby contributing to global environmental protection and sustainable development.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Wcos Clean Seas Initiative Tackles Asiapacific Plastic Waste

Wcos Clean Seas Initiative Tackles Asiapacific Plastic Waste

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Asia Pacific Border Management Waste Project, is assisting Indonesian and Philippine Customs in enhancing their control over plastic waste via virtual diagnostic missions. The project aims to strengthen Customs' ability to handle legal plastic waste imports, reduce the risk of illegal shipments, and raise awareness of the Basel Convention amendments. The WCO will provide customized implementation plans and host regional workshops to foster collaboration and address the challenges of plastic waste management.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Evaluates Ugandas CITES Enforcement Capabilities

WCO Evaluates Ugandas CITES Enforcement Capabilities

In 2017, the World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a diagnostic assessment of the Uganda Revenue Authority's capacity to enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The assessment utilized an institutional assessment tool, combined with field visits and interviews, aiming to enhance Uganda Customs' ability to combat illegal wildlife trade. The assessment findings will guide future cooperation between the WCO and the Uganda Revenue Authority, contributing to global biodiversity conservation efforts.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Strengthens Environmental Rules to Curb Illegal Waste Trade

WCO Strengthens Environmental Rules to Curb Illegal Waste Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is strengthening its collaboration with the Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Network (ENFORCE) to enhance customs' role in combating the illegal cross-border trade of waste. Through capacity building, information sharing, international cooperation, and policy advocacy, the WCO assists its member customs administrations in effectively implementing the Basel Convention. This collaborative effort aims to address global environmental challenges and build a sustainable future by preventing and countering illegal waste shipments across borders.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Streamlining ATA Carnet Compliance for Global Trade Efficiency

Streamlining ATA Carnet Compliance for Global Trade Efficiency

This paper analyzes the problems with the ATA Convention Contracting Party information submission interface, including unclear field validation rules, vague error messages, and difficult CAPTCHA recognition. It proposes optimization suggestions such as clarifying validation rules, optimizing error prompts, improving CAPTCHA recognition rate, and providing help information. The aim is to improve user experience, reduce error rates, and enhance customs clearance efficiency. The improvements focus on making the system more user-friendly and reliable for submitting required information.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Maersk VGM Declarations A Guide for Compliant Shipping

Maersk VGM Declarations A Guide for Compliant Shipping

This article provides a detailed guide on declaring Verified Gross Mass (VGM) through the Maersk platform. It covers the definition and importance of VGM, the declaration steps, authorized personnel for declaration, weighing methods, and frequently asked questions. The aim is to help users ensure their cargo complies with the International Maritime Organization's SOLAS convention, avoiding delays or legal liabilities arising from VGM issues. It outlines the process to properly submit VGM information via Maersk to ensure smooth and compliant cargo transportation.

09/28/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
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New Global Rules Tighten Tracking of Chemical Weapons Precursors

New Global Rules Tighten Tracking of Chemical Weapons Precursors

The World Customs Organization has issued new recommendations urging member economies to incorporate specific substances controlled by the Chemical Weapons Convention into national statistical directories. This aims to more accurately track and monitor the international movement of these sensitive goods. Businesses should comprehensively review their product lines, update internal coding systems, and enhance employee training to ensure trade activities comply with relevant laws and regulations. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining international trade compliance and preventing the proliferation of chemical weapons.

11/03/2025 HS Code Query
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WCO Guidelines Boost Global Trade and Border Efficiency

WCO Guidelines Boost Global Trade and Border Efficiency

The 2017 WCO Global Transit Conference focused on improving cross-border transportation efficiency, releasing the 'Transit Guidelines' which emphasized the importance of political will, technological application, and international cooperation. The conference explored the development challenges faced by landlocked countries and shared successful experiences such as the EU's NCTS and the TIR Convention. The aim was to build a more efficient, convenient, and secure global transit ecosystem. The guidelines and discussions highlighted the need for harmonized procedures and data exchange to streamline transit operations.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Georgia Boosts Customs Efficiency With HS Reforms Global Partnerships

Georgia Boosts Customs Efficiency With HS Reforms Global Partnerships

Georgia Customs enhanced commodity classification skills and promoted customs modernization by hosting a Harmonized System (HS) workshop. The workshop, jointly organized by the WCO and the Georgian Revenue Service, covered the HS Convention, tariff classification practices, and advance ruling systems. It aimed to establish a tariff classification system compliant with international standards and facilitate trade. The experience of Georgia provides a valuable reference for other developing countries seeking to improve their customs procedures and ensure accurate commodity classification according to the HS.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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