Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Expertise

Uzbekistan Boosts Customs Audits with Maldives Expertise

Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, a delegation from Uzbekistan Customs visited the Maldives to study post-clearance audit. Through experience exchange and practical exercises, Uzbekistan learned about the Maldives' best practices in risk management and trader compliance. Adapting these practices to their own context, Uzbekistan developed reform plans to improve its national post-clearance audit system and promote trade facilitation. The visit focused on building capacity and understanding practical implementation of modern audit techniques for enhanced efficiency.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Serbia Enhances Trade Efficiency with Customs Modernization

Serbia Enhances Trade Efficiency with Customs Modernization

Supported by the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme, Serbian Customs has made significant progress in standardization, transparency, cooperation, and automation, particularly in the AEO program, online application systems, and automation projects. These achievements have not only promoted Serbia's international trade but also injected new impetus into regional economic development. Serbia's reform experience provides valuable lessons for other developing countries. The advancements highlight the positive impact of targeted support and strategic implementation in streamlining customs procedures and fostering economic growth.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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EUWCO Project Supports African Free Trade with Harmonized Rules

EUWCO Project Supports African Free Trade with Harmonized Rules

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme aims to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by 2025. It focuses on finalizing the rules of origin, harmonizing key African origin regimes, and developing a community of practice for rules of origin. This initiative is expected to lay the groundwork for economic prosperity in Africa by facilitating trade and ensuring the smooth implementation of the AfCFTA agreement. The program will contribute to a more predictable and transparent trade environment across the continent.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
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EUWCO Project to Strengthen Afcfta Via Rules of Origin by 2025

EUWCO Project to Strengthen Afcfta Via Rules of Origin by 2025

The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme Steering Committee recently convened to review the 2025 project objectives. These objectives include assisting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in finalizing its rules of origin and harmonizing the rules of origin regimes across African countries. The program aims to foster intra-African trade growth and promote regional economic integration. The project seeks to streamline trade processes and reduce barriers within the continent, ultimately contributing to a more unified and prosperous African economy.

01/15/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Colombia Customs Boosts Efficiency with WCO Partnership

Colombia Customs Boosts Efficiency with WCO Partnership

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), remotely assisted the Colombian Customs (DIAN) in strategic planning and optimizing its Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) system to improve management efficiency. The project aims to build a sustainable performance management system, supporting DIAN's institutional transformation and capacity building. This initiative lays the foundation for the modernization of Colombian Customs and contributes to global trade facilitation efforts. The GTFP's support is crucial for enhancing DIAN's strategic alignment and operational effectiveness.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

With the support of the EU-WCO Harmonized System Programme for Africa, the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) organized a national commodity classification workshop. This initiative aims to enhance the commodity classification skills of customs officers, address issues such as incorrect classification and false declarations, and close tax loopholes. By combining online learning with offline workshops, the program strengthens both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, building a comprehensive support system. This contributes to customs modernization, ultimately promoting economic prosperity in Namibia.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Aids Guatemala in Boosting Trade for Economic Growth

WCO Aids Guatemala in Boosting Trade for Economic Growth

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the Mercator Programme, provides technical assistance to Guatemala's Tax Administration (SAT) to effectively implement trade facilitation measures. Following an assessment, a WCO expert team offered recommendations for improvement, covering areas such as information transparency, procedural simplification, risk management, inter-agency cooperation, and private sector involvement. The WCO committed to providing follow-up support to help Guatemala enhance trade efficiency and promote economic growth. This initiative aims to streamline customs processes and boost Guatemala's participation in global trade.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Perboosts Trade Efficiency with Facilitation Project

Perboosts Trade Efficiency with Facilitation Project

The Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) partnered with SUNAT, the Peruvian Customs Authority, to conduct a strategic planning workshop. The aim was to enhance SUNAT's strategic planning capabilities by refining strategic objectives and developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a more efficient regulatory model. WCO experts tailored a strategic map and integrated control panel for Peruvian Customs, supporting its digital transformation and sustainable development. This collaboration seeks to improve SUNAT's overall effectiveness and contribute to Peru's economic growth through streamlined trade processes.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Global Customs Agencies Crack Down on Illegal Wildlife Trade

Global Customs Agencies Crack Down on Illegal Wildlife Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) Environment Programme, in collaboration with customs administrations from 11 countries, is enhancing capabilities to combat illegal wildlife trade (IWT) through online diagnostic assessments. Focusing on key areas such as training, enforcement, legislation, cooperation, intelligence, and risk management, the program tailors solutions and gathers international experts to build a global anti-smuggling defense line and safeguard ecological security. The initiative aims to improve customs' effectiveness in detecting and preventing the trafficking of endangered species and related products.

01/30/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Perus Customs Modernization Boosts Global Trade Efficiency

Perus Customs Modernization Boosts Global Trade Efficiency

The Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) partnered with Peruvian Customs (SUNAT) to host an online strategic planning workshop, aiming to enhance SUNAT's strategic planning capabilities and optimize customs clearance processes. The workshop focused on strategic goal deployment, key performance indicator (KPI) identification, and leveraging international best practices. It provided SUNAT with a draft strategic map and balanced scorecard. SUNAT will carefully study and implement the workshop's outcomes, which are expected to lead to a new leap in customs clearance efficiency.

02/02/2026 Customs Knowledge
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