Customs seizes counterfeit dollars and euro worth milllions of Chilean pesos

31 May 2016

A bus passenger was travelling with bundles of notes concealed in his luggage and on his body. He was bound for Santiago (Chile), and then onwards to Mendoza (Argentina).

Publication of the WCO Study Report on Customs Brokers

31 May 2016

The WCO is pleased to inform of the publication of the newly developed Study Report on Customs Brokers.

WCO participates at i-Customs Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia

31 May 2016

In partnership with the World Customs Organization (WCO), ITMO University (St. Petersburg, Russia) organized and hosted the i-Customs Conference, which is an international Youth Conference, on 20-21 May 2016 in St. Petersburg.

WCO Valuation Train-the-Trainers Event for Nigeria and Ghana

31 May 2016

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) came together for a joint WCO Valuation Train-the-Trainers event held at the WCO Regional Training Centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria from 23 to 27 May.

WCO’s contribution to countering terrorism and violent extremism recognized at G7 Ise-Shima Summit

27 May 2016

For the first time in eight years since the leaders’ summit took place in Toyako, the Group of Seven (G7) leaders convened for the Summit in Asia. Under the Presidency of Japan, the G7 Ise-Shima Summit was held on 26-27 May in Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Bahamas Customs and Excise Department Highlights Training As Reform & Modernization Priority

27 May 2016

In response to a request from the Bahamas Customs and Excise Department (BCED) Comptroller, the WCO conducted a mission to review and assess BCED’s human resources and training development strategies.

WCO successfully facilitates Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) Gap Analysis mission in Sierra Leone

27 May 2016

Following an invitation from the National Revenue Authority (NRA) of Sierra Leone, WCO successfully conducted a needs assessment mission in partnership with the Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group, from 3 - 12 May 2016.

East and Southern Africa Governing Council Meeting

27 May 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Thomas Moyne, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended the 21st Governing Council Meeting on 26 and 27 May 2016. The Meeting was hosted by the Lesotho Revenue Authority in the capital Maseru, and was chaired by Chief Officer of SARS Mr. Jed Michaletos.

WCO organizes a Regional Workshop on combating cross-border smuggling of goods for the MENA region

26 May 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Adel BEN HASSEN, Director General of Tunisian Customs, WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the opening ceremony of the Regional Workshop on combating cross-border smuggling of goods, held in Tunis on 23 May 2016.

WCO attends the Shanghai World Conference of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA)

26 May 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Shantanu Bhadkamkar, Chairman of the International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations (IFCBA), WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the IFCBA World Conference held in Shanghai, China, from 18 to 20 May 2016.

WCO Accreditation Workshop in Japan Identifies Another Five Experts to Support the Mercator Programme

26 May 2016

The WCO, in its effort to increase the pool of experts assisting Members with implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), held an accreditation workshop in the WCO Regional Training Center in Kashiwa, Japan.

National Time Release Study in Serbia

26 May 2016

The Serbia Customs Administration, in cooperation with the World Customs Organization (WCO), organized a National Workshop on Time Release Study (TRS) in Belgrade, Serbia, from 16th to 20th May 2016.

Training seminar on Customs valuation control for Customs valuation experts and trainers from the Office Togolais des Recettes

26 May 2016

As part of the WCO’s technical assistance for the Office Togolais des Recettes (Togo Revenue Authority – OTR) in preparation for full resumption of its Customs valuation function which had been partially outsourced to two private-sector inspection companies, the WCO organized a training seminar in Lomé from 17 to 21 May 2016 on Customs valuation control of imports.

HS National Workshop in Brazil

25 May 2016

A WCO national workshop on the Harmonized System (HS), funded by CCF China, was held in Brasilia, Brazil, from 9 to 13 May 2016, at the WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC). The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy General Coordinator of the Customs Administration of Brazil, Mr. Ronaldo Salles Feltrin Correa, who emphasized the importance of the close co-operation between the WCO and Brazilian Customs for the improvement of tariff classification work and the correct application of the HS. The Director of the School of Administration of the Ministry of Finance (ESAF) of Brazil, Ms. Rai Ferreira de Almeida, was also present at the opening ceremony and stressed the importance of the partnership between the WCO, Brazilian Customs (Receita Federal do Brasil) and the ESAF to strengthen capacity building activities with a view to improving the performance of the institutions committed to economic and social development.

Brazilian Customs detects 811 kg of cocaine inside a large block of granite

25 May 2016

On 6 May 2016, Brazilian Customs (Receita Federal Do Brasil) made a seizure of 811 kg of cocaine concealed inside a large block of granite stone.

Customs commitment highlighted at the World Humanitarian Summit

25 May 2016

At the invitation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya participated in the first World Humanitarian Summit held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 23 and 24 May 2016.

WCO supports JICA Trade Facilitation Project in the Eastern Africa Region

24 May 2016

The WCO Capacity Building Director, Ernani Checcucci, attended the 6th Regional Joint Coordination Committee meeting for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project on capacity development for international trade facilitation in the East Africa region. The meeting was held in Dar es Salaam on 19 May 2016 and was chaired by Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority, Mr. Alphayo Kidata.

WCO Sub-Regional Workshop on Risk Management in Skopje

24 May 2016

A Sub-Regional Workshop on Risk Management was held at the WCO Regional Training Centre in Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, from 10 to 12 May 2016 with support from the China Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF/China).

The countries of the WCO MENA region are preparing for the implementation of the 2017 edition of the HS

24 May 2016

The WCO, with the support from the Qatari General Authority of Customs, conducted a regional workshop to assist Members of the WCO North of Africa, Near and Middle East (MENA) Region with the uniform interpretation, application and timely implementation of the Harmonized System Nomenclature 2017 Edition, and improvement of fair, efficient and effective revenue collection, in Doha, Qatar, from 9 to 12 May 2016.

Azerbaijan hosts Regional Workshop on the HS 2017 for the WCO Europe Region

23 May 2016

Under the sponsorship of the Customs Co-operation Fund/Korea, a Regional Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS) 2017 amendments for administrations of the Europe Region was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 25 to 28 April 2016.

National Workshop on the Revised Kyoto Convention and Rules of Origin in Haiti

20 May 2016

Within the framework of the Capacity Building Programme, the World Customs Organization (WCO), with financial support from the European Union through the Caribbean Export Development Agency, organized a National Workshop on the Revised Kyoto Convention, Trade Facilitation and Rules of Origin for the Haiti Customs Administration.

WCO Europe Regional Heads of Customs Conference in Kazakhstan

20 May 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Stephen Quest, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, and Vice-Chair of the WCO Europe Region, Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended the Conference of Heads of Customs of the Europe Region held in Astana, Kazakhstan, on May 19 and 20.The meeting was hosted by the Kazakh Customs Service.

WCO Welcomes APEC Ministerial Statement

19 May 2016

On 18 May, the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) issued a Joint Ministerial Statement.

WCO Accreditation Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit in RTC Korea

19 May 2016

In cooperation with the Regional Office for Capacity Building for Asia/Pacific (ROCB A/P) and under the sponsorship of the Korean Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF Korea), the WCO organized an Accreditation Workshop for Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) Technical and Operational Advisors for the Asia / Pacific Region.

WCO attends Launch of the MoveAfrica Initiative

18 May 2016

At the invitation of Dr. Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of the NEPAD Agency, WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the launch of the MoveAfrica Initiative - Moving Goods & Facilitating Trade, held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 11 and 12 May 2016. This Initiative, which was developed in close partnership with the private sector, aims to package and mainstream soft infrastructure issues to reduce transport costs along corridors and promote a multi-sectorial and comprehensive approach for corridor development.

WCO Accreditation Workshop for Technical Operational Advisers TOAs in the area of the WCO Time Release Study (TRS)

18 May 2016

Under the sponsorship of the Japan Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF- Japan), a World Customs Organization (WCO) Accreditation Workshop for Technical Operational Advisers (TOAs) in the area of the WCO Time Release Study (TRS) was held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, from 25 to 29 April 2016.

Oman becomes the 154th Contracting Party to the Harmonized System Convention

18 May 2016

On 12 May 2016, Oman deposited with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization its instrument of accession to the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (Harmonized System).

Iran and Korea Sign Agreement on Customs Cooperation

18 May 2016

In a joint economic cooperation committee meeting of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Korea held in Tehran, Iran on 2 May 2016 headed by the President of Korea, Ms. Park Geun-hye, and her Iranian counterpart, President Hasan Rouhani, their respective Customs organizations formally agreed to expand their cooperation.

Iran and Turkey Customs on the way to implement the 2nd phase of e-TIR

18 May 2016

On 10 May 2016 the Heads of Iran and Turkey Customs, Dr. Masoud Karbasian and Mr. Cenap Asci agreed to commence implementation of the 2nd phase of the e-TIR in July 2016 to cover more Customs offices in the two countries.

National Workshop on the Harmonized System in Guatemala

17 May 2016

Under the sponsorship of CCF Japan, a national Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS), organized jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the "Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria - SAT", was held in Ciudad de Guatemala (Guatemala), from 10 to 12 May 2016.

WCO National Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit in Bahrain

13 May 2016

Following a request for capacity building in the area of effective revenue collection, the WCO conducted a National Workshop on Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) in Manama, Bahrain, from 17 to 21 April 2016. The Workshop welcomed some 20 middle-management Customs officers in charge of Post-Clearance-Audit (PCA) and from other related Customs areas such as risk management.

WCO participates in the International Expert Meeting on safeguarding Libyan cultural heritage

13 May 2016

WCO participates in the International Expert Meeting on safeguarding Libyan cultural heritage

Seizure of one million pairs of counterfeit glasses by Brazilian Customs during an operation

13 May 2016

In April 2016, Brazilian Customs conducted an operation called “Blind 3”, aimed at addressing the illicit trade in glasses and sunglasses and targeting counterfeiting practices such as trademark and copyright infringements as well as smuggling of legitimate products and tax evasion.

3rd WCO AEO Conference opens in Mexico

12 May 2016

More than 1,000 delegates from over 80 countries attended the opening of the WCO Global AEO Conference in Cancun, Mexico, yesterday 11 May, to discuss dynamic developments in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes widely acknowledged as a key driver for solid Customs-Business partnerships.

Senior officials of the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community (CPLP) develop a joint Strategic Plan and set out their Vision for the next five years

11 May 2016

The WCO organized a workshop in Lisbon, Portugal, 19th – 22nd April, on Strategic Planning for selected representatives from the Portuguese Speaking Countries Community/Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (CPLP).

Opening of the WCO’s 69th Fellowship Programme

10 May 2016

The 69th WCO Fellowship Programme, also the 6th edition intended for Spanish-speakers, was launched in Brussels on Monday 9 May 2016.

WCO-EAC CREATe Project Update: The East African Community officially adopts the Manual of Standard Operating Procedures for the EAC regional AEO programme!

10 May 2016

The WCO-EAC CREATe project, funded by Sweden, held its Steering Committee meeting in the framework of the EAC Committee on Customs on the 28th of April 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The WCO INAMA Project Supports Customs Administrations in Sub-Saharan Africa to address complex illegal wildlife trade challenges

10 May 2016

Under the auspices of the WCO INAMA project, an advanced training on Intelligence was held in Lusaka (Zambia) from 18 to 22 April.

09 May 2016

The WCO, under its Data Model Project Team (DMPT), has successfully finalized the production of the version 3.6.0 of the WCO Data Model, a collection of international standards on data and information required not only by Customs, but also by government agencies, developed with the objective of achieving a consensus on the manner in which data will be used in applying regulatory facilitation and controls in global trade.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal discuss efficient transit regimes in South Asia

04 May 2016

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in cooperation with the Indian Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) and the Asia/Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P), organized a WCO Sub-Regional Workshop on Transit Corridors in South Asia funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of Japan (CCF/Japan).

Heads of Customs of the West and Central Africa region discuss their priorities

03 May 2016

At the invitation of the Director General of Cameroon Customs, Mr. Edwin Nuvaga Fongod in his capacity as Vice-Chair of the West and Central Africa region, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to attend the Regional Conference of Directors General of Customs of West and Central Africa, from 27 to 29 April 2016.

Under the Mercator Programme, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus validates the results of the self-assessment against the TFA provisions

03 May 2016

Under the Mercator Programme and supported by the Customs Cooperation Fund of Korea, the WCO and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Belarus organized a national "Workshop on the Implementation of the TFA – Self-validation of the findings from a WTO self-assessment". The Workshop took place in Minsk from 25-27 April 2016.

Workshop in Malaysia to Support the Implementation of an Advance Ruling System for Origin

03 May 2016

A WCO National Workshop on Advance Ruling on Origin, funded by CCF Japan, was held in Melaka, Malaysia, from 25 to 28 April 2016.