WCO meets with Indian Ambassador in the context of MCTP Meetings

31 October 2016

As part of the overseas component of the Indian Customs Administration Mid-Career Training Programme (MCTP), two delegations of high-level Customs officers visited WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium: the first one on 14 October and the second one on 28 October 2016.

31 October 2016

Following an invitation from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), the WCO successfully supported updating the administration’s training and talent management strategies from 26 – 30 September 2016. The core objective of the support was to incorporate modern, competency based training and talent management strategies, taking into account the provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA), and incorporating best practices from the WCO’s Framework of Practices and Principles on Customs Professionalism.

A new WCO Regional Customs Laboratory in Moscow

31 October 2016

At the occasion of the exhibition by Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation to mark its 25th anniversary, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Moscow, Russian Federation on 25 and 26 October 2016.

The 2017 edition of the Harmonized System Nomenclature is coming. What's new ?

28 October 2016

Today, the World Customs Organization (WCO) released the 2017 edition of the Harmonized System Nomenclature, the world’s global standard for classifying goods in international trade, which will enter into force on 1 January 2017.

WCO supports the EAC region to sensitise additional 116 stakeholders on the EAC Regional AEO program

28 October 2016

As the East African Community (EAC) Regional Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme begins to take shape, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the EAC Secretariat ensure the involvement of stakeholders within the region in the programme.

The WCO and the ECOWAS Commission Customs Directorate successfully lay down the basis for a regional training strategy!

28 October 2016

During a working session held in Abuja from 18 to 20 October, the WCO and the ECOWAS Commission Customs Directorate have identified the lack of mastery of ECOWAS instruments by West African Customs Administrations as a major obstacle to regional integration and intra-regional trade.

27 October 2016

On 27 October 2016, the Secretary General of the WCO Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, in his capacity as the depository of the Convention, took receipt of the instruments of accession of Samoa to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures (Revised Kyoto Convention), from HE Fatumanava III Dr. Pa'olelei Luteru, Ambassador of the Independent State of Samoa to Belgium and the European Union.

WCO attends the 7th Meeting of the ECO Council of Customs Administrations Heads

26 October 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Masoud Karbasian, Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the 7th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Customs Administrations of the Economic Cooperation Council (ECO), held in Tehran, Iran, from 17 to 19 October 2016.

USD 460 million and hundreds of weapons seized in global counter-smuggling operation

26 October 2016

More than USD 460 million in cash and bearer negotiable instruments (BNIs) and some 300 weapons have been seized in a global counter-smuggling operation coordinated by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and INTERPOL.

WCO releases Guidelines on Customs-Tax Cooperation

25 October 2016

Today, the WCO released Guidelines for strengthening cooperation and exchange of information between Customs and Tax authorities at the national level. These Guidelines have been formulated with the support of WCO Members and development partners, especially the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The Guidelines aim to provide reference guidance to Customs and Tax authorities who wish to go further in their cooperation and develop operational models which enable agencies to work together to their mutual benefit.

WCO Addresses High Level Meeting of Customs Directors General of the European Union

25 October 2016

At the invitation of Ms. Dana Meager, State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, Ms. Ana Hinojosa, Director, Compliance and Facilitation, addressed the High Level Meeting of Customs Directors General of the European Union, held in Brussels on 25 October 2016.

Joint ICAO-WCO Regional Workshop on Air Cargo Security and Facilitation

25 October 2016

From 17 to 20 October 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a second joint Workshop on Air Cargo Security and Facilitation, at Moroccan Customs Headquarters in Rabat (Morocco), with the financial support of the Japanese Customs Co-operation Fund and the assistance of Moroccan Customs.

Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro host two WCO National Workshops on the modernization of their Customs Laboratories

21 October 2016

Two National Workshops on the modernization of the Customs Laboratories of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro, respectively, organized jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Customs Administration of these two Members, with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Germany (CCF Germany), were held from 17 to 20 October.

WCO successfully facilitates Strategic planning workshop in Sierra Leone

21 October 2016

Following an invitation from the National Revenue Authority (NRA), and further to the Mercator Implementation Plan for Sierra Leone, the WCO successfully facilitated a strategic planning workshop in Freetown from 7 – 13 September 2016

Armenia’s new Government pledges continuous political support for Customs reform

20 October 2016

At the invitation of newly appointed Chairman of State Revenue Committee of Armenia, Mr. Vardan Harutyunyan, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Yerevan, Armenia on 18 October 2016.

Latest edition of WCO News now available

19 October 2016

This edition features a special dossier on the 2016 Council Sessions, in particular the latest developments in the core WCO areas of work: tariff and trade affairs, trade facilitation, enforcement, and capacity building. It also puts a spotlight, in its focus section, on the Customs brokers profession, including the practices adopted by some Customs administrations related to licensing and regulatory regimes.

The WCO welcomes 'New Deal' to phase out HFCs under the Montreal Protocol

18 October 2016

The 1987 Montreal Protocol, considered by many to be the most successful multilateral environmental agreement, is an international agreement which contributes towards the substantial reduction in emissions of substances that deplete the ozone layer, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which were phased out under the Protocol.

213th/214th Permanent Technical Committee concludes its robust discussions with high level of commitment

17 October 2016

On Friday 14 October 2016, the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) concluded its 4-day discussions on many topical themes of relevance for trade facilitation and procedures. Around 140 delegates engaged in discussions focusing on Digital Customs, Future of Customs and the Economic Competitiveness Package.

58th Session Harmonized System Committee Concludes

17 October 2016

The WCO Harmonized System Committee (HSC) held its 58th Session from 28 September to 7 October 2016 at the WCO headquarters in Brussels.

WCO attends EU High Level Seminar on e-Commerce

17 October 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Marian Banas, Undersecretary of State, Head of the Poland Customs Service, WCO Deputy Secretary General attended the Customs 2020 High Level Seminar “e-Commerce: Opportunity or Challenge for EU Customs”, held in Krakow, Poland, on 10 and 11 October 2016.

WCO Cargo Targeting System Air Cargo Pilot Commences in New Zealand

17 October 2016

New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) is assisting the WCO by conducting a pilot of the newly developed air cargo capability for the WCO Cargo Targeting System (WCO CTS).

WCO attends UPU 2016 Ministerial Conference

14 October 2016

At the invitation of Mr. Bishar A. Hussein, UPU Director General, WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the 2016 UPU Ministerial Conference held in Istanbul, Turkey, on 4 October 2016. The Conference was organized during the UPU 26th Congress, held from 20 September to 7 October, gathering 2000 representatives from 155 countries to set the course of UPU’s work for the next four years.

Regional Security Workshop held in Pretoria, South Africa

14 October 2016

One of six Regional Workshops, under the WCO Security Programme, was held in Pretoria, South Africa, for the East and Southern Africa Region (ESA), from 12 to 14 October 2016.

WCO successfully evaluates Sierra Leone’s Customs valuation capacities

14 October 2016

Following an invitation from the National Revenue Authority (NRA) of Sierra Leone, WCO successfully delivered a diagnostic evaluation of valuation, classification and origin controls in Freetown from 26 – 30 September 2016. The core objective of the mission was to support the NRA in building valuation capacity controls in keeping with Sierra Leone’s commitments under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA).

WCO advocates for more resources for Customs to combat illicit wildlife trade at the European Parliament’s public hearing

13 October 2016

On Wednesday, 12 October, the WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya was invited to address the issue of trade policy and the sustainability of wildlife at the public hearing of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade in Brussels.

The WCO ESA pool of trainers meet for the 2nd Regional Training of Trainers Workshop

12 October 2016

This second ToT Workshop, financed by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), enabled to equip the ESA (East and South Africa) pool of trainers with knowledge and skills to deliver training related to a chosen topic; risk management. The session was held from 26 to 30 September 2016 in Mauritius.

WCO promotes collaboration at the IATA Cargo Security and Facilitation Forum 2016

12 October 2016

At the invitation of International Air Transport Association (IATA), WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya delivered a keynote speech at the opening session of the IATA Cargo Security and Facilitation Forum being held in Brussels, Belgium, from 11 to 13 October 2016.

The WCO Trade Facilitation Agreement Working Group successfully concluded its 6th Meeting in conjunction with the Permanent Technical Committee

12 October 2016

More than 180 delegates representing Customs, Trade and other Ministries from WCO Members, the WTO and other international organisations, development partners, academia and business convened at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels on 10 and 11 October 2016.

The 4th Customs Laboratory Programme

12 October 2016

The 4th Customs Laboratory Programme commenced on 10 October 2016 at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, under the sponsorship of Japan (CCF/Japan). Six experienced Customs chemists from Afghanistan, Belarus, Jordan, Nepal, Nicaragua and Vietnam are taking part in the Programme.

Training seminar on Customs valuation control for Haitian and Dominican Customs officers held in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) from 26 to 30 September 2016

10 October 2016

The World Customs Organization (WCO) led a training seminar on Customs valuation control which took place in the Marriott hotel in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) from 26 to 30 September 2016. This training seminar was funded by the European Union through the Caribbean Export Development Agency.

The WCO and the Customs Administration of Guinea reinforce their cooperation under the WCO - WACAM Project!

10 October 2016

The cooperation between the Customs Administration of Guinea and the World Customs Organization (WCO) has made significant progress. From 20 to 24 September 2016, two WCO experts have conducted a scoping mission to Conakry in the framework of the West African Customs Administrations Modernization (WACAM) Project, which is financed by the government of Sweden.

WCO International Seminar on Countering New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)

06 October 2016

WCO International Seminar on Countering New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)

WCO ESA Regional Accreditation Workshop on Risk Management Hosted by SARS

06 October 2016

WCO ESA Regional Accreditation Workshop on Risk Management, in cooperation with SARS and ROCB ESA, and funded by UK Department for International Development (UK-DFID), was conducted from 26 to 30 September 2016 in Pretoria, South Africa.

WCO at 2016 FIATA World Congress

06 October 2016

WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, as Guest of Honour, addressed the opening session of the 2016 FIATA (International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association) World Congress held in Dublin, Ireland, from 3 to 8 October 2016.

Joint WCO/OECD workshop on Transfer Pricing and Customs Valuation for Customs and Tax Administrations

05 October 2016

A workshop on Transfer Pricing and Customs Valuation was held in Ankara Multilateral Tax Centre in the Republic of Turkey from Monday 19 to Friday 23 September 2016.