EUWCO Project Boosts African Customs Modernization Trade

EUWCO Project Boosts African Customs Modernization Trade

The EU-WCO cooperation project promotes customs modernization in Africa by optimizing the Harmonized System and rules of origin, and strengthening capacity building. This creates a more efficient trade environment, fostering intra-African trade and regional economic integration. The project has yielded significant results and will continue to support African customs development, contributing to the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Its focus on streamlining procedures and enhancing skills will be crucial for unlocking Africa's trade potential and fostering sustainable economic growth across the continent.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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MENA Customs Boost Efficiency in Wcoled Workshop

MENA Customs Boost Efficiency in Wcoled Workshop

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a workshop on organizational performance evaluation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, aiming to enhance regional customs effectiveness. The workshop covered core topics such as strategic planning indicator design and work area planning. Qatar Customs shared their experience in business intelligence exploration. Based on WCO standards, this event assists customs administrations in the MENA region to improve management and promote regional trade development. This initiative aims to foster efficiency and collaboration within the customs community.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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MSC Raises Asiaeurope Shipping Rates Amid Supply Chain Strains

MSC Raises Asiaeurope Shipping Rates Amid Supply Chain Strains

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced an increase in shipping rates from the Far East to Europe, effective June 2025, covering Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and North Africa. This will increase supply chain cost pressures. Businesses need to optimize their layout, improve inventory management, negotiate freight rates, consider alternative transportation methods, and increase product added value to cope. Experts point out that the long-term upward trend of shipping costs cannot be ignored, and companies should pay close attention to market dynamics.

01/08/2026 Logistics
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WCO Supports Guineabissau Customs Modernization Efforts

WCO Supports Guineabissau Customs Modernization Efforts

Under the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization (WACAM) project, funded by the Swedish government, the World Customs Organization (WCO) supported Guinea-Bissau Customs in resource mobilization. Through training, Guinea-Bissau Customs enhanced its project planning capabilities, completing draft project proposals and a donor mapping exercise. The next step involves the WACAM project assisting the country in hosting a national donor roundtable conference to promote customs modernization. This initiative aims to secure funding and partnerships crucial for advancing customs reforms and efficiency in Guinea-Bissau.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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International Aid Strengthens Malis Customs Crisis Response

International Aid Strengthens Malis Customs Crisis Response

The World Customs Organization (WCO) collaborates with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) through the C-RED project to support Mali in enhancing its customs clearance capacity for emergency relief goods. This initiative aims to strengthen customs' preparedness for emergencies in West Africa by focusing on capacity building, coordination mechanisms, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The goal is to ensure the rapid delivery of relief supplies, contributing to the protection of lives and livelihoods during crises.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Gambia Advances Tax Reform with WCO to Boost West African Standards

Gambia Advances Tax Reform with WCO to Boost West African Standards

With the support of the WCO, the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) has initiated strategic management reforms aimed at enhancing organizational project management capabilities and strategic monitoring and evaluation frameworks. This collaboration aims to position the GRA as a strategic management role model in West Africa, ultimately increasing fiscal revenue and promoting economic development. The reforms focus on building internal capacity and establishing robust mechanisms for tracking progress and ensuring accountability in achieving strategic objectives. The expected outcome is a more efficient and effective revenue collection system.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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China Launches dragon Action to Curb Export IP Theft

China Launches dragon Action to Curb Export IP Theft

National Customs launched a three-month "Dragon Action" to severely crack down on import and export infringement activities, focusing on exports to Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and countries along the "Belt and Road" initiative. Key products include small appliances and electronic goods. Through increased penalties, criminal prosecution, and support for civil justice, Customs will collaborate to provide strong intellectual property protection for export enterprises, helping Chinese brands to thrive overseas. This initiative aims to safeguard Chinese innovation and ensure fair trade practices.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Egypts Sokhna Port Emerges As Key Trade Hub for Three Continents

Egypts Sokhna Port Emerges As Key Trade Hub for Three Continents

This article provides an in-depth analysis of Sokhna Port's locational advantages, shipping network, customs clearance procedures, logistics services, and fee structure, revealing its strategic importance as a trade hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. By analyzing operational data and partner shipping companies, it offers practical guidance for import and export businesses to efficiently utilize Sokhna Port. The aim is to help optimize logistics costs and enhance supply chain resilience. This serves as a valuable resource for businesses seeking to leverage Sokhna Port's capabilities for international trade.

12/31/2025 Port Encyclopedia
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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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Algeria Boosts Trade Security with Dutch Customs Lab Aid

Algeria Boosts Trade Security with Dutch Customs Lab Aid

Algerian experts visited the Netherlands to study customs laboratories, aiming to adopt best practices for building a modern customs laboratory in Algeria. The visit focused on work organization, infrastructure, and technology application, with a deep dive into the laboratory's role in tariff classification. This initiative is part of the EU-World Customs Organization (WCO) HS-Africa Programme, designed to enhance customs management in African countries, promoting trade facilitation and security. The knowledge gained will contribute to Algeria's efforts to improve its customs procedures and efficiency.

01/16/2026 Customs Knowledge
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