West and Central African Customs Officials Boost Skills Via WCO Training

West and Central African Customs Officials Boost Skills Via WCO Training

Customs trainees from French-speaking West, Central, and parts of African countries visited the WCO Secretariat. Through thematic lectures and exchange visits, they gained in-depth understanding of the WCO's operational mechanisms, strategic planning, and capacity building projects. The training aims to enhance the professional level of customs officers in developing countries, promote international customs cooperation, and build a safer and more efficient global trade system. The visit fostered knowledge sharing and strengthened relationships within the global customs community.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Launches ACE Portal to Strengthen Global Customs Training

WCO Launches ACE Portal to Strengthen Global Customs Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched the ACE Expert Portal to optimize global expert resource management and enhance capacity building efficiency. This platform empowers individual expert development, facilitates knowledge sharing, and supports member-driven development. Through centralized management and permission settings, the ACE Expert Portal helps the WCO build a talent-driven customs organization, contributing to global trade security and facilitation. It aims to streamline expert identification, deployment, and knowledge transfer, ultimately strengthening customs administrations worldwide.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Central America Adopts Kyoto Convention to Modernize Customs

Central America Adopts Kyoto Convention to Modernize Customs

The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)-World Customs Organization Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) launched an assistance program in Central America to help countries adopt the Revised Kyoto Convention, simplify customs procedures, and promote trade facilitation. Through workshops, self-assessments, and capacity building, the project will support Central America in improving customs management and integrating into the global trade system. The initiative aims to enhance efficiency and transparency in customs operations across the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Thailand Strengthens IP Rights Enforcement with WCO Support

Thailand Strengthens IP Rights Enforcement with WCO Support

Thailand Customs, guided by the WCO, is upgrading its intellectual property border enforcement system through data analysis and risk management optimization. The workshop promoted international cooperation and communication with rights holders. Future efforts will focus on strengthening data analysis capacity building, exploring the application of artificial intelligence, and improving laws and regulations to more effectively combat counterfeit products. This includes enhancing data-driven decision-making and fostering collaboration to address the challenges posed by IP infringements at the border.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Liberia Upgrades Tax Agency HR Systems with WCO Assistance

Liberia Upgrades Tax Agency HR Systems with WCO Assistance

With the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO), the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) is modernizing its Human Resource Management (HRM). This includes developing a job catalog and competency framework, as well as initiating capacity assessments and change management. Emerging as a model in West Africa, the LRA is progressing towards becoming a regional leader in HRM, offering valuable lessons for other developing nations. The modernization efforts aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the LRA's workforce.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Madagascar Customs Boosts Valuation Skills Via WCO Support

Madagascar Customs Boosts Valuation Skills Via WCO Support

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted an online workshop to enhance Madagascar Customs' valuation capabilities, covering valuation principles, Incoterms, the transaction value method, used vehicle valuation, and combating under-invoicing. Madagascar Customs officials actively participated, significantly improving their valuation skills. WCO experts commended their efforts and recommended strengthening valuation database development, enhancing risk management, fostering international cooperation, and continuing capacity building initiatives. This initiative aims to improve revenue collection and ensure fair trade practices in Madagascar.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Georgia Enhances Customs Skills with WCO Classification Training

Georgia Enhances Customs Skills with WCO Classification Training

With the support of the WCO, Georgia hosted a national workshop on commodity classification, aimed at enhancing the institutional capacity of the Revenue Service and cultivating a core team of experts. Through theoretical learning, practical exercises, and expert exchanges, participants significantly improved their understanding and application of the HS, laying a solid foundation for the future development of Georgian Customs. This workshop also provides valuable experience for other countries seeking to improve their commodity classification expertise.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Unveils Major Customs Reform to Boost Trade

Uzbekistan Unveils Major Customs Reform to Boost Trade

Uzbekistan launched the second phase of the Global Trade Facilitation Program (GTFP), aiming to enhance customs capabilities, optimize trade processes, reduce trade costs, and promote cross-border trade development. The project will focus on organizational development and trade facilitation, leveraging WCO capacity-building tools to upgrade Uzbekistan's customs system, injecting new momentum into economic growth. This initiative seeks to streamline procedures, improve efficiency, and ultimately contribute to a more competitive and integrated trading environment for Uzbekistan.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Backs Trade Growth for Landlocked Nations

WCO Backs Trade Growth for Landlocked Nations

The World Customs Organization (WCO) reaffirms its commitment to the Vienna Programme of Action (VPoA), assisting Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in overcoming geographical constraints and achieving trade facilitation and economic transformation through simplified customs procedures, capacity building, and international cooperation. WCO's specific actions include developing standards, implementing projects, issuing guidelines, and establishing a pool of experts. These efforts aim to build an efficient, transparent, and secure global trade environment, jointly promoting the sustainable development of LLDCs.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Scholarship Program Aims to Develop Nextgen Customs Leaders

WCO Scholarship Program Aims to Develop Nextgen Customs Leaders

The first phase of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Scholarship Programme's 83rd edition has successfully concluded. Participants' research will contribute to customs modernization. The WCO Secretary General encouraged the scholars to share their practical experiences and praised them as "the future of customs." This program aims to cultivate customs elites with a global perspective and innovative spirit, contributing to the development of global trade. It focuses on building capacity and fostering collaboration within the international customs community.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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