WCO Enhances PICARD Standards to Strengthen Global Customs Operations

WCO Enhances PICARD Standards to Strengthen Global Customs Operations

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is upgrading the PICARD Professional Standards (PS) to adapt to the evolving global trade landscape. The updated standards will encompass key areas such as public-private sector cooperation, customs and tax function integration, and coordinated border management. It will also address emerging trends, security, trade facilitation, technological advancements, and project management. The WCO invites stakeholders to participate in capacity building initiatives to jointly promote global customs development. This collaborative effort aims to enhance customs efficiency and effectiveness worldwide.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
New Guide Simplifies Freight Logistics and Customs Clearance

New Guide Simplifies Freight Logistics and Customs Clearance

This article provides a practical guide for freight forwarding newcomers, covering learning methods, customs clearance practices, special situation handling, bill of lading interpretation, and volumetric weight conversion. It helps newcomers quickly get started with freight forwarding by learning during lunch breaks, differentiating between tax refunds and buying out, understanding Iran business considerations, interpreting HBL and OBL, and mastering volumetric weight conversion for air and sea freight. This guide offers essential tips and knowledge to accelerate the learning curve and improve efficiency in daily freight forwarding tasks.

08/22/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
Read More
Amazon FBA Sellers Gain Edge With Streamlined Shipping Customs Tips

Amazon FBA Sellers Gain Edge With Streamlined Shipping Customs Tips

This article provides a detailed analysis of the complete Amazon FBA shipping and customs clearance process. It offers a practical guide covering stages from booking, warehousing, and shipping to customs documentation preparation, declaration, tax payment, inspection, and release. The aim is to help sellers clarify their approach, choose suitable freight forwarders, and ensure efficient and safe delivery of goods to Amazon FBA warehouses, ultimately gaining a competitive edge in the market. It emphasizes understanding the intricacies involved for a smoother and more profitable cross-border trading experience.

11/03/2025 Logistics Encyclopedia
Read More
Crossborder Ecommerce Streamlines Logistics to Boost Satisfaction

Crossborder Ecommerce Streamlines Logistics to Boost Satisfaction

Frequent complaints arise in cross-border e-commerce logistics, with customs clearance delays and last-mile delivery being primary culprits. Optimizing the entire cross-border logistics chain is crucial. This includes domestic 'three inspections' standards, intelligent sorting, international air and sea freight options, RCEP customs clearance channels, destination country pre-clearance, EIN tax number requirements, variations in last-mile delivery efficiency, overseas warehouse models, and a full-link visualization system. Addressing these factors can significantly improve the overall customer experience and efficiency in cross-border e-commerce.

11/03/2025 Logistics
Read More
Transforming Customs Declarations Enhancing Trade Efficiency and Regulation in China

Transforming Customs Declarations Enhancing Trade Efficiency and Regulation in China

This article provides a detailed analysis of the key changes between the old and new customs declarations, emphasizing the impact of removed and added content on businesses. The removal of items like the original approval number and settlement certificate aims to simplify the declaration process. The addition of special relationship confirmation and a unified social credit code further enhances tax management and trade transparency. Changes in naming and optimization of product categories improve overall operational convenience, contributing to the continuous improvement of the trade environment.

07/28/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Malawi Revenue Authority Adopts Competencybased HR System

Malawi Revenue Authority Adopts Competencybased HR System

With the support of the WCO and Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) is actively building a competency-based human resource management system (CBHRM) to enhance organizational effectiveness. This initiative aims to improve talent selection, customize training programs, implement objective performance evaluations, and optimize career development. MRA's experience provides valuable lessons for other developing countries' tax administrations. The CBHRM framework helps MRA to strategically manage its workforce, ensuring it possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively administer taxes and contribute to national development.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Updates Audit Guidelines to Strengthen Trade Security

WCO Updates Audit Guidelines to Strengthen Trade Security

A WCO expert group seminar focused on revising the Post Clearance Audit (PCA) Guidelines to address evolving international trade rules, combat tax fraud, and enhance customs efficiency. The revised guidelines will optimize PCA processes, strengthen international cooperation, and improve the professional capabilities of PCA personnel, ultimately promoting trade facilitation, strengthening border security, and increasing revenue collection. Technological advancements will further drive the intelligence and efficiency of PCA. This update ensures PCA remains a vital tool for modern customs administrations in a dynamic global trade environment.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Benin Customs Adopts Competency Model to Enhance Efficiency

Benin Customs Adopts Competency Model to Enhance Efficiency

With the support of the Swedish government through the WACAM project, Benin Customs has successfully implemented a competency-based human resource management system. This system covers key areas such as recruitment, training, and performance evaluation, aiming to enhance the overall effectiveness of the customs administration. The Minister of Finance expressed support for the project and hopes to extend it to the tax department. A pilot competency assessment project will be launched at Cotonou Airport, laying the foundation for the modernization of human resources within Benin Customs.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Crossborder Ecommerce Faces New Customs Valuation Challenges

Crossborder Ecommerce Faces New Customs Valuation Challenges

The World Customs Organization released Advisory Opinion 4.19, clarifying how to handle royalties that include both patent rights for imported raw materials and trademark rights for the final product in customs valuation. This opinion aims to enhance valuation certainty, reduce trade friction, and assist businesses in tax planning. It offers valuable guidance for cross-border e-commerce and import-export enterprises, particularly regarding the treatment of royalties in determining customs value. The advisory opinion provides a framework for consistently applying valuation principles to complex licensing agreements.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
VAT Zerorating Boosts International Aviation Connectivity

VAT Zerorating Boosts International Aviation Connectivity

The unique nature of international air transport clashes with traditional tax jurisdictions. This paper argues for the necessity of implementing a zero-rating VAT refund mechanism for international aviation. It emphasizes that this mechanism can reduce operational costs, promote international travel and trade, enhance competitiveness, and ensure fairness. ICAO resolutions provide guidance for governments to develop relevant policies, contributing to the construction of an interconnected global aviation network. This approach helps to streamline processes and foster a more efficient and equitable system for international air travel.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More