Pacific Islands Boost Customs Skills with Trainer Program

Pacific Islands Boost Customs Skills with Trainer Program

The WCO-JICA MTP project focuses on developing customs trainers in Pacific Island Countries, aiming to enhance their skills in valuation and classification. This initiative contributes to improved customs administration and ultimately facilitates regional trade. Through comprehensive training programs and knowledge transfer, the project empowers local customs officials to effectively implement international standards and best practices. This leads to more efficient border procedures and a more predictable trading environment, supporting economic growth and regional integration within the Pacific region.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Latin America Boosts Customs Valuation Skills in Guatemala Summit

Latin America Boosts Customs Valuation Skills in Guatemala Summit

The inaugural Regional Certification Workshop for Spanish-speaking Customs Valuation Experts was successfully held in Guatemala. It brought together customs officials from various countries to enhance their professional skills and certify them as expert trainers. The workshop established a regional expert working group to review and update WCO training materials, promoting experience exchange and knowledge sharing within the region. This initiative injects new vitality into the field of customs valuation in the Americas and the Caribbean.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

East Africa Launches Customs Capacity Building Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) joint project, 'Train-the-Trainers Programme', has made significant progress in East Africa, enhancing customs capacity by developing a pool of post-clearance audit experts and creating training materials. The project innovatively adopted a 'virtual working group' model during the pandemic to ensure its smooth continuation. Moving forward, the project will further improve training skills and build a sustainable mechanism for customs capacity enhancement in the region.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Senegal Customs Adopts HR Modernization Under West Africa Project

Senegal Customs Adopts HR Modernization Under West Africa Project

Funded by the Swedish government, the World Customs Organization (WCO) supported the modernization of human resources management in Senegalese Customs through the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization Project. The project focused on building a competency-based human resources management system. Key tools such as job classifications, competency models, and job descriptions were developed to improve Senegalese Customs' management efficiency and international competitiveness. The initiative aims to strengthen the customs administration's capacity and contribute to regional economic development.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Algeria Boosts Customs Tech with Dutch Lab Expertise

Algeria Boosts Customs Tech with Dutch Lab Expertise

Algerian customs experts visited the Netherlands to study its customs laboratory, aiming to learn from its best practices in operational models, infrastructure, and technology applications. This visit was a support activity under the EU-WCO HS-Africa Programme, designed to assist Algeria in building a modern customs laboratory and enhancing its capabilities in tariff classification, commodity analysis, and trade facilitation. The initiative seeks to strengthen Algeria's customs infrastructure and expertise, ultimately contributing to more efficient and effective trade processes.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Zambia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked AEO Program

Zambia Boosts Trade Efficiency with Wcobacked AEO Program

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supports the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) in establishing an internationally compliant Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program. This initiative aims to enhance trade facilitation, strengthen supply chain security, and ultimately achieve mutual recognition agreements with neighboring countries, promoting regional trade development. The support involves capacity building and study visits. This collaboration is part of the UK's HMRC's 'Accelerating Trade Facilitation' program, designed to assist Zambia in meeting international standards and improving its overall trade environment.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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US and World Customs Organization Discuss Trade Efficiency Heritage Protection

US and World Customs Organization Discuss Trade Efficiency Heritage Protection

World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited the United States, engaging in in-depth discussions with U.S. Customs and the State Department on topics including the progress of the “Single Window” project, cultural heritage protection, and international cooperation. The meeting highlighted the crucial role of customs in the tax system and explored new approaches to combatting cultural heritage trafficking through collaboration with museums. The aim is to build a safer and more efficient global trade system.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Wcos 2021 SAFE Framework Enhances Global Trade Security

Wcos 2021 SAFE Framework Enhances Global Trade Security

The World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework 2021 has been officially released, adding a core element of cooperation between customs and other government agencies, and revising content such as smart security devices and mutual recognition arrangements. It aims to enhance supply chain security, efficiency, and transparency, reduce trade costs, and promote global trade facilitation and sustainable development. The updated framework emphasizes collaboration and technology to improve the overall security and flow of goods across international borders.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Togo Customs AEO Program Boosts Trade Meets Global Standards

Togo Customs AEO Program Boosts Trade Meets Global Standards

Togo, with WCO support, is developing an AEO program to enhance trade facilitation. It faces challenges in compliance, regulation, and mutual recognition. The goal is to become a trade hub in West Africa. The AEO program aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce inspection rates for trusted traders, and improve overall efficiency in the supply chain. Success will depend on effective implementation and collaboration with regional and international partners. This initiative is crucial for Togo's economic growth and competitiveness.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Wcos Revised Kyoto Convention Boosts Global Customs Efficiency

Wcos Revised Kyoto Convention Boosts Global Customs Efficiency

The WCO is actively promoting the review of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). The meeting reviewed the revision plan, discussed the direction of advancement, and emphasized cooperation in addressing global trade challenges. The participants expressed their expectation that the RKC will promote trade facilitation. The discussions focused on how the RKC can be further modernized and adapted to the evolving needs of international trade, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness in streamlining customs procedures and promoting economic growth worldwide.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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