Customs Agencies Tackle Global Waste Trade Crisis

Customs Agencies Tackle Global Waste Trade Crisis

A World Customs Organization report highlights the serious global waste trade situation, emphasizing the crucial role of customs in border control. The report analyzes the regional characteristics of waste trade and major illegal trade targets. It proposes strengthening risk management, increasing resource investment, enhancing international cooperation, and applying technology to address the issue. The aim is to build a new global waste governance framework. The report underscores the importance of effective customs procedures to combat illegal waste shipments and protect the environment.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Global Customs Basel Convention Unite Against Illegal Waste Trade

Global Customs Basel Convention Unite Against Illegal Waste Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is strengthening cooperation with the Basel Convention to combat environmental crimes such as the illegal cross-border trade in waste. This collaboration aims to enhance customs enforcement capabilities through developing training materials, utilizing online training platforms, strengthening networking, and conducting joint operations. By working together, the WCO and the Basel Convention seek to build a new landscape of global environmental governance and jointly safeguard the sustainable development of the planet.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Asiapacific Nations Crack Down on Illegal Plastic Waste Trade

Asiapacific Nations Crack Down on Illegal Plastic Waste Trade

The Asia-Pacific region faces a significant challenge from the illegal trade of plastic waste. The Asia Pacific Plastic Waste (APPW) project, initiated by the World Customs Organization, aims to strengthen customs' response capabilities, mitigate the threat of illegal shipments, and promote the Basel Convention amendment. Through Coordinated Border Management (CBM) and international cooperation, the project seeks to effectively control and facilitate plastic waste trade, collectively building a future without 'plastic enclaves'.

01/16/2026 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
Asiapacific Nations Strengthen Customs Cooperation Against Illegal Plastic Waste Trade

Asiapacific Nations Strengthen Customs Cooperation Against Illegal Plastic Waste Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Asia-Pacific customs administrations in upgrading their plastic waste management. Through virtual diagnostics, tailored implementation plans were developed for Indonesia and the Philippines. A regional workshop is planned to strengthen cooperation in addressing the challenge of 'foreign waste' and protecting the blue skies of the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aims to enhance customs enforcement capabilities and ensure compliance with the Basel Convention, ultimately combating the illegal trade and improper disposal of plastic waste.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
New HS 2028 Codes Target Plastic Waste for Trade Compliance

New HS 2028 Codes Target Plastic Waste for Trade Compliance

HS 2028 refines HS codes for plastic waste to more accurately identify waste regulated under the Basel Convention. This aims to support customs enforcement and corporate compliance, jointly addressing the global plastic pollution challenge and building a new order for green trade. By providing more specific classifications, HS 2028 facilitates better tracking and management of plastic waste, contributing to the effective implementation of international environmental agreements and promoting sustainable trade practices.

01/30/2026 HS Code Query
Read More
WCO Aids Asiapacific in Plastic Waste Management Reform

WCO Aids Asiapacific in Plastic Waste Management Reform

The World Customs Organization (WCO) completed virtual diagnostic missions to Indonesian and Philippine Customs to assist in implementing the Basel Convention's plastic waste amendments. The project covers strategy, legal frameworks, procedures, enforcement, policy, and capacity building. It will provide detailed implementation plans and regional workshops to strengthen customs controls on plastic waste trade in the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative aims to enhance the collective response to the challenges posed by plastic waste and improve customs' ability to effectively manage its transboundary movement.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Sri Lanka Tackles Plastic Waste With World Customs Support

Sri Lanka Tackles Plastic Waste With World Customs Support

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is assisting Sri Lanka Customs in upgrading its border controls to address the growing problem of cross-border plastic waste flows. Through virtual diagnostic missions, customized implementation plans, and regional workshops, the WCO aims to strengthen customs' management of plastic waste, curb illegal shipments, protect the environment, and build a new global framework for plastic waste governance. This initiative highlights the importance of international collaboration in tackling environmental challenges and enhancing customs' role in preventing illicit trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
WCO Proposes Green HS Codes to Support Circular Economy

WCO Proposes Green HS Codes to Support Circular Economy

A World Customs Organization seminar focused on Green HS, exploring how to improve the HS coding system to more accurately track the lifecycle of materials like plastics, metals, and wood, thereby promoting the circular economy. Experts suggested introducing more granular HS codes to differentiate types of waste, trace their origin and destination, and align with international agreements like the Basel Convention to achieve environmentally sustainable trade. The goal is to use customs trade as a tool for tracking materials and promoting responsible waste management.

01/26/2026 HS Code Query
Read More