New Customs Rules Affect Licensing Fees Royalties

New Customs Rules Affect Licensing Fees Royalties

The World Customs Organization (WCO) has released new Advisory Opinion 4.19 on customs valuation, addressing the complex valuation issues related to royalties and license fees under Article 8.1(c) of the Customs Valuation Agreement. This opinion clarifies the valuation principles for single royalties encompassing both patents and trademarks. It assists businesses in accurately calculating import costs, reducing valuation disputes, and promoting the healthy development of international trade. This guidance aims to provide clarity and consistency in the application of customs valuation rules related to intellectual property rights.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Malaysia Boosts Customs Oversight with WCO Audit Training

Malaysia Boosts Customs Oversight with WCO Audit Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held a Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) training in Malaysia, aiming to enhance the customs' PCA capabilities and promote trade facilitation. The workshop covered PCA concepts, risk management, valuation, and auditing techniques, sharing case experiences from Japan and China. This training will help Malaysian Customs provide more convenient customs clearance services for enterprises while ensuring revenue collection, thereby promoting economic development. The training emphasized practical skills and knowledge transfer to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of post-clearance controls.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Customs Agencies Boost Biodiversity Protection Efforts

Global Customs Agencies Boost Biodiversity Protection Efforts

The World Customs Organization actively responds to World Environment Day, focusing on biodiversity protection. Through combating environmental crime, capacity building, and international cooperation, it is committed to building a sustainable future. The WCO emphasizes the crucial role of customs in protecting ecosystems, combating illegal trade, and promoting sustainable development. It calls for global joint efforts to protect our planet. The organization advocates for strategies to prevent the exploitation of natural resources and the illegal trafficking of endangered species, reinforcing customs' commitment to environmental security.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Korea Partner to Enhance Global Customs Platform Clikc

WCO Korea Partner to Enhance Global Customs Platform Clikc

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Korea Customs Service (KCS) signed an agreement where KCS will provide funding for the WCO's CLiKC! e-learning platform. This funding will support platform upgrades and enhanced functionalities. The upgraded CLiKC! platform will feature updated course content, optimized technology, and expanded multilingual support. The goal is to enhance the professional skills and knowledge of customs officials worldwide, benefiting supply chains and promoting trade facilitation and compliance. This initiative aims to foster greater efficiency and effectiveness within customs administrations globally.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Ecommerce Declaration Signals New Growth Era

Global Ecommerce Declaration Signals New Growth Era

The inaugural Global Cross-border E-commerce Conference was held in Beijing, bringing together global experts to discuss the trends and challenges of cross-border e-commerce development. The conference adopted the 'Beijing Declaration,' providing guidance for future development. It emphasized international cooperation, standardization, and SME empowerment, aiming to build a secure, convenient, and inclusive cross-border e-commerce ecosystem and promote sustainable global trade growth. The declaration highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing regulatory hurdles and fostering consumer trust in the digital marketplace.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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AI Enhances Customs Fraud Detection Curbing Tax Evasion

AI Enhances Customs Fraud Detection Curbing Tax Evasion

The DATE neural network model, developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), leverages a dual attention mechanism and tree-aware embedding techniques to effectively identify potential customs fraud transactions and improve inspection efficiency. Successfully piloted in Nigeria and open-sourced for use by customs administrations worldwide, this model has the potential to become a new tool in combating cross-border tax evasion. It offers a data-driven approach to detecting irregularities and enhancing risk assessment in international trade, ultimately contributing to fairer and more secure global commerce.

01/27/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Strengthens Zambias Crackdown on Wildlife Trafficking

WCO Strengthens Zambias Crackdown on Wildlife Trafficking

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the WCO-INAMA project, supports Zambia Customs in enhancing its intelligence capabilities to combat the illegal trade in endangered species. Expert teams provide strategic guidance covering intelligence gathering, analysis, dissemination, risk management, and international cooperation. The project also promotes technology empowerment, aiming to promote Zambia's sustainable development and safeguard its green future. This initiative strengthens Zambia's ability to protect its natural resources and combat wildlife crime, contributing to global conservation efforts and fostering a more secure and sustainable environment.

01/27/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits in Joint Workshop

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits in Joint Workshop

Under the World Customs Organization framework, Uzbekistan and Maldives Customs successfully held an online seminar focusing on the exchange of Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) experiences. The Maldives shared their practices in organizational structure, legal framework, operating procedures, and IT systems, aiming to enhance Uzbekistan's capabilities in PCA. This exchange also strengthened customs cooperation between the two countries, fostering trade facilitation and improving customs administration efficiency. The seminar provided a platform for knowledge sharing and best practice adoption in the area of post-clearance audit.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Customs Efficiency with Wcobacked AEO Program

Saudi Arabia Boosts Customs Efficiency with Wcobacked AEO Program

A World Customs Organization (WCO) expert team recently visited Saudi Arabia to provide AEO system capacity building training to the Saudi ZATCA. The training focused on key elements such as the SAFE Framework of Standards, risk management, and Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs). This initiative aims to assist Saudi Customs in optimizing AEO implementation, enhancing trade facilitation, and promoting economic diversification. By strengthening its AEO program, Saudi Arabia can improve efficiency, security, and predictability in its customs procedures, ultimately contributing to a more competitive and attractive business environment.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Sudan Customs Adopts WCO Model to Modernize HR Management

Sudan Customs Adopts WCO Model to Modernize HR Management

With the support of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Sudan Customs has launched a human resource modernization project. This initiative aims to enhance the level of customs services and improve the organization's overall competitiveness. The project likely involves developing and implementing a competency model to identify and cultivate the skills and knowledge required for customs officials to effectively perform their duties. This modernization effort signifies Sudan Customs' commitment to aligning with international best practices and improving its efficiency in facilitating trade and protecting national borders.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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