Georgia Joins Revised Kyoto Convention to Boost Trade

Georgia Joins Revised Kyoto Convention to Boost Trade

Georgia has officially joined the Revised Kyoto Convention, becoming its 116th contracting party, marking a significant step in its trade facilitation efforts. The Convention, considered the "gold standard" for global trade facilitation, promotes international trade development through simplified customs procedures and increased transparency. The World Customs Organization encourages more countries to join, working together to build an open and efficient global trade system. This accession highlights Georgia's commitment to streamlining trade processes and fostering economic growth through adherence to international standards.

01/08/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Thailand Sierra Leone Join Revised Kyoto Convention Enhancing Global Trade

Thailand Sierra Leone Join Revised Kyoto Convention Enhancing Global Trade

The Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) has surpassed 100 contracting parties, with Thailand and Sierra Leone's accession further boosting global trade facilitation. The convention aims to simplify and harmonize customs procedures by applying information technology and risk management, improving customs efficiency and reducing trade costs. The World Customs Organization (WCO) actively promotes the RKC's implementation and encourages more members to join, fostering global trade prosperity. The growing number of signatories demonstrates the international commitment to streamlined customs processes and enhanced trade efficiency.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Qatar Chamber Adopts ATA System to Ease International Trade

Qatar Chamber Adopts ATA System to Ease International Trade

The Qatar Chamber of Commerce's accession to the ATA international guarantee chain facilitates the cross-border movement of goods for businesses. The ATA Carnet simplifies customs procedures, eliminates tariffs, saves time and costs, and promotes international trade facilitation. Businesses should seize this opportunity, understand the ATA Carnet regulations, and expand into the Qatari market. This provides a streamlined process for temporary import and export, making it easier for businesses to participate in international exhibitions, fairs, and other temporary activities in Qatar.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO and UNCTAD Partner to Boost Global Trade Efficiency

WCO and UNCTAD Partner to Boost Global Trade Efficiency

In 2014, the WCO and UNCTAD Secretaries-General met in Geneva, focusing on the harmonized implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). They emphasized providing needs assessments and technical assistance based on WCO instruments to avoid implementation divergence. Discussions also covered addressing complex cross-border trade issues, improving transportation and logistics efficiency. Both parties committed to further strengthening cooperation to build an efficient and transparent global trade system.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Supports Sudan in Improving Customs Risk Management

WCO Supports Sudan in Improving Customs Risk Management

A WCO assessment of Sudan Customs' risk management practices aims to support the country's implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The report acknowledges progress while also identifying shortcomings and providing recommendations for improvement. This includes strengthening risk assessment methodologies, enhancing data analysis capabilities, and fostering better coordination among different customs units. The assessment seeks to optimize resource allocation and streamline customs procedures, ultimately contributing to increased trade efficiency and security for Sudan.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO UNCTAD Aid Ghanas Trade Reforms Under Mercator Program

WCO UNCTAD Aid Ghanas Trade Reforms Under Mercator Program

The WCO and UNCTAD are supporting Ghana in enhancing its trade facilitation capabilities to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, improve its trade environment, and promote economic development. Funding support is provided by the UK's HMRC. This initiative aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade costs, and boost Ghana's competitiveness in the global market. By strengthening institutional capacity and promoting international cooperation, the project contributes to sustainable economic growth and regional integration.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Moldova Boosts Customs Efficiency to Streamline Trade

Moldova Boosts Customs Efficiency to Streamline Trade

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held a Customs Valuation workshop in Moldova to enhance the country's customs expertise in customs valuation and promote trade facilitation. The workshop covered topics such as the application of the WTO Valuation Agreement, the establishment and utilization of valuation databases, the valuation of second-hand goods, the treatment of assistance and license fees, and the advance ruling system. This provided valuable learning opportunities for Moldovan customs officials.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Armenia Enhances Trade Via Customs Time Release Study

Armenia Enhances Trade Via Customs Time Release Study

The WCO organized a TRS workshop in Armenia to enhance customs efficiency and promote trade facilitation. The workshop aimed to improve the effectiveness of Armenian customs procedures. Through the Time Release Study (TRS), bottlenecks were identified and action plans were developed to address them. This initiative aligns with WTO requirements for trade facilitation and contributes to streamlining cross-border trade processes. The TRS provides valuable insights for optimizing customs operations and reducing delays, ultimately benefiting businesses and consumers.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Colombia Customs Businesses Collaborate to Streamline Trade

Colombia Customs Businesses Collaborate to Streamline Trade

With the support of SECO-WCO GTFP, Colombian Customs hosted a trade facilitation forum. The forum focused on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, shared experiences from Abu Dhabi's customs reform, and explored the impact of disruptive technologies on the future of customs. The goal was to support DIAN's customs transformation, creating an efficient, transparent, and modern customs system. Ultimately, this initiative aims to promote trade development in Colombia by streamlining processes and embracing innovation within the customs framework.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Nicaraguas AEO Program Boosts Trade Efficiency Reduces Costs

Nicaraguas AEO Program Boosts Trade Efficiency Reduces Costs

Nicaragua is actively promoting the AEO program to improve customs clearance efficiency and reduce trade costs. Supported by the WCO-Norad project and aligned with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, the program certifies businesses to enjoy benefits like prioritized inspection and simplified documentation. Participation in the AEO program can lower operating costs, improve efficiency, and enhance credibility, allowing companies to stand out in the market. This initiative aims to streamline trade processes and foster economic growth within Nicaragua.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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