Zimbabwe Enhances Customs Oversight with WCO Assistance

Zimbabwe Enhances Customs Oversight with WCO Assistance

The World Customs Organization (WCO) supported the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) in enhancing its capabilities to effectively implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement by hosting a customs project management training workshop in Zimbabwe. This training aimed to strengthen ZIMRA's capacity in project management and human resources to address trade facilitation challenges and promote economic development in Zimbabwe. The initiative also serves as a model for other developing countries. The workshop focused on practical skills and knowledge transfer to improve ZIMRA's efficiency and effectiveness in customs operations.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Malawis Customs Talent Strategy Wins World Praise

Malawis Customs Talent Strategy Wins World Praise

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully assessed the talent development foundation of the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), aiming to help build a stronger human resource system to address the challenges posed by the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The assessment covered key areas such as strategic orientation, capacity building, and training systems. A national e-learning platform was also launched to support the MRA in enhancing customs professional capabilities. This initiative is crucial for Malawi to effectively implement trade facilitation measures and improve its overall customs efficiency.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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International Aid Strengthens Malis Customs Crisis Response

International Aid Strengthens Malis Customs Crisis Response

The World Customs Organization (WCO) collaborates with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) through the C-RED project to support Mali in enhancing its customs clearance capacity for emergency relief goods. This initiative aims to strengthen customs' preparedness for emergencies in West Africa by focusing on capacity building, coordination mechanisms, and the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The goal is to ensure the rapid delivery of relief supplies, contributing to the protection of lives and livelihoods during crises.

02/03/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Sri Lanka Boosts Customs Nuclear Detection Capabilities

Sri Lanka Boosts Customs Nuclear Detection Capabilities

Sri Lanka Customs, with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the U.S. Department of Energy through the RANDA Project, conducted radiation and nuclear detection training. This initiative aims to enhance customs officers' awareness and response capabilities to related threats. The training covered legal frameworks, risk management, detection technologies, and included field visits and international cooperation. The goal is to build a stronger nuclear security line of defense at the border, improving the ability to identify and interdict illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials.

02/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Certification Boosts Trade in Francophone Africa

WCO Certification Boosts Trade in Francophone Africa

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through its Technical and Operational Advisors (TOA) accreditation program, aims to cultivate customs experts proficient in commodity classification, rules of origin, and valuation. This initiative enhances customs capacity in French-speaking African countries, reduces trade costs and friction, and creates more market opportunities for businesses. By fostering expertise and efficiency, the program contributes to a future where trade facilitation is embraced, benefiting both governments and the private sector. The ultimate goal is to streamline processes and promote economic growth.

02/06/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Asiapacific Customs Agencies Combat Plastic Waste Surge

Asiapacific Customs Agencies Combat Plastic Waste Surge

The World Customs Organization (WCO) concluded virtual diagnostic missions to Indonesia and the Philippines, aiming to enhance customs' capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to combat the illegal cross-border movement of plastic waste. The project involved assessing the current state of customs in both countries, developing improvement plans, and planning a regional workshop to foster cooperation in addressing the plastic waste challenge. This initiative supports the implementation of the Basel Convention's Plastic Waste Amendments and promotes collaborative efforts to manage plastic waste effectively.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Program Boosts Colombias Customs Efficiency for Trade

WCO Program Boosts Colombias Customs Efficiency for Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO), at the invitation of the Colombian Customs Authority (DIAN), successfully conducted an online Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop. The project aimed to enhance the leadership and management skills of senior Colombian customs officials, covering key areas such as self-awareness, emotional intelligence, effective communication, and personnel management. This initiative supports the creation of high-performing teams and promotes international trade facilitation by equipping leaders with the necessary tools to excel in their roles and foster a positive work environment.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Nicaragua Launches AEO Trade Security Pilot with NORAD Support

Nicaragua Launches AEO Trade Security Pilot with NORAD Support

With support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), Nicaraguan Customs launched an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) pilot program. This initiative aims to optimize customs procedures and enhance trade security and efficiency through capacity building and Time Release Study (TRS). The program seeks to streamline the flow of goods, reduce release times, and contribute to Nicaragua's economic development by fostering a more secure and efficient trading environment. Ultimately, the AEO program is expected to boost international trade and investment.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Seminar Focuses on Streamlining Crossborder Rail Freight

WCO Seminar Focuses on Streamlining Crossborder Rail Freight

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully held the Asia-Pacific Railway Seminar, aiming to promote the implementation of the Railway Guidelines, simplify customs procedures for railway transportation, improve clearance efficiency, and reduce business costs. The seminar fostered communication and cooperation between customs authorities, railway departments, and international organizations from various countries, injecting new impetus into the development of cross-border railway freight in the Asia-Pacific region. The event highlighted the importance of streamlined processes and collaboration for efficient and cost-effective railway transport.

01/22/2026 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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