WCO Promotes Gender Equality in Global Customs Operations

WCO Promotes Gender Equality in Global Customs Operations

The WCO Gender Equality Conference highlighted progress in gender equality within customs administrations, sharing best practices and urging member collaboration to build a fair and inclusive environment. The conference emphasized the importance of mainstreaming gender perspectives in customs policies and operations. Participants discussed strategies for promoting women's leadership and addressing gender-based discrimination. The call for collaborative efforts aims to foster a global customs community that values diversity and ensures equal opportunities for all, ultimately contributing to more effective and equitable trade facilitation.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Asiapacific Nations Boost Customs Cooperation at WCO Meeting

Asiapacific Nations Boost Customs Cooperation at WCO Meeting

The 32nd WCO Asia-Pacific Regional Contact Points Meeting was held in Australia, focusing on regional cooperation, strategic planning, and WCO policy updates. The meeting highlighted the importance of data strategy, green customs, and technology application. The aim is to strengthen customs cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, address global challenges, and promote trade security and facilitation. Discussions centered around enhancing information sharing, capacity building, and the implementation of international standards to improve efficiency and effectiveness in customs operations across the region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Backs Ethiopias Customs Modernization with Talent Assessment

WCO Backs Ethiopias Customs Modernization with Talent Assessment

WCO assists Ethiopian Customs in improving human resource management, promoting modernization. Experts recommend optimizing recruitment, training, and performance evaluation, providing a reference for developing countries. The focus is on building a skilled and motivated workforce to support customs reforms and enhance operational efficiency. This initiative aims to strengthen Ethiopia's capacity to effectively manage its borders and facilitate trade, ultimately contributing to economic growth and regional integration. The recommendations offer practical guidance for other developing countries seeking to modernize their customs administrations.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Efficiency Training

West Africa Customs Modernization Enhances Efficiency Training

The WACAM project, funded by SIDA, aims to promote regional trade development by enhancing the capacity of West African Customs in human resources, stakeholder relations, and resource mobilization through workshops. The project focuses on Customs Modernization and Capacity Building, specifically targeting improvements in skills and knowledge. By facilitating better collaboration and resource management, WACAM contributes to a more efficient and effective customs environment, ultimately fostering economic growth within the region. The project's emphasis on Resource Mobilization ensures sustainable operations and long-term impact.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Iran WCO Host Trade Facilitation Workshop

Iran WCO Host Trade Facilitation Workshop

Iran, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization, hosted a national workshop on the Harmonized System (HS). The workshop aimed to enhance the professional capabilities of Iran Customs in commodity classification, promote the uniform application of the HS, and strengthen cooperation with international organizations. This initiative is expected to contribute to the country's economic development by facilitating smoother international trade and ensuring accurate tariff application. The focus was on improving the efficiency and accuracy of customs procedures related to the HS nomenclature.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Boosts Trade Controls in Azerbaijan to Counter WMD Threats

WCO Boosts Trade Controls in Azerbaijan to Counter WMD Threats

The WCO's ACES project has assisted Azerbaijan Customs in enhancing its control over weapons of mass destruction. This initiative involved training customs officers and certifying experts, enabling Azerbaijan to fulfill UN Security Council resolutions and contribute to building a global security barrier. The project strengthens strategic trade control and customs capacity building, ultimately aiming to prevent the proliferation of WMDs and ensure a safer global environment. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing critical security challenges.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO ENFORCE Team Up to Tackle Illegal Waste Trade

WCO ENFORCE Team Up to Tackle Illegal Waste Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) actively supports the Environmental Network for Optimizing Regulatory Compliance on Illegal Traffic (ENFORCE) initiative to combat illegal waste trade. As a formal member of ENFORCE, the WCO is committed to enhancing the capacity of customs officers to address the threat of illegal waste through strengthened customs enforcement, capacity building, and international cooperation. This collaborative effort aims to build a global environmental security line, protecting both the environment and human health from the detrimental effects of illicit waste trafficking.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Peru Boosts Customs Oversight with Global Partnerships

Peru Boosts Customs Oversight with Global Partnerships

Peru hosted a virtual forum to discuss risk management in customs valuation. Participating countries shared their experiences, highlighting best practices and challenges. The Peruvian Customs Service outlined plans to strengthen value verification processes and deepen public-private partnerships to improve compliance and combat fraud. The forum emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing valuation-related risks and ensuring fair trade practices. The discussions focused on leveraging technology and data analysis to enhance risk assessment and improve the efficiency of customs operations.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Pacific Islands Enhance Customs Skills Via WCO Training Program

Pacific Islands Enhance Customs Skills Via WCO Training Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched a Harmonized System (HS) expert development program for Pacific Island Countries, aiming to enhance customs capacity in the region by building a regional pool of experts. The first working group activity was held in October 2021, with the participation of customs administrations from six countries, including Fiji and Papua New Guinea. This initiative, a collaboration between the WCO and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), seeks to promote trade development and economic cooperation among Pacific Island Countries.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Eswatini Launch Customs Capacity Pilot Program

WCO Eswatini Launch Customs Capacity Pilot Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Eswatini Revenue Authority (ERA), launched a capacity building assessment pilot project. This initiative aims to enhance training quality and effectiveness, facilitate knowledge transfer, and strengthen customs capacity building through a systematic five-level evaluation model. The project's findings will be shared with WCO members, contributing to the security and facilitation of global trade. The assessment framework will provide valuable insights for optimizing training programs and ensuring sustainable capacity development within customs administrations.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More