Operation PRAESIDIO boosts global efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade

29 March 2019

Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) remains one of the most pervasive crimes against both the environment and society, greatly harming our precious fauna and their ecosystems and depleting countries of critical resources.

WCO and Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) celebrate their new Partnership

29 March 2019

In December 2018, Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the WCO signed a 5.5 million Swiss Franc contract to jointly support selected Members of the WCO and their stakeholders, including the private sector, in the implementation of their priority trade facilitation initiatives.

Reflecting On the Past, Embracing the Future

28 March 2019

Join us in Brussels for the 10th Session of the Capacity Building Committee (8 to 10 April 2019) and the 18th Session of the Integrity Sub-Committee (11-12 April 2019).

Iraq Customs gets ready for modernization

27 March 2019

At the invitation of the Director General of Iraq Customs, Mr. Mundher Abdulameer Asad Heyer, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Baghdad, Iraq from 24 to 26 March 2019 to complete a diagnostic mission.

WCO and OECD move ahead with their anti-corruption agenda

27 March 2019

On 20 and 21 March 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) hosted the 7th OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum at its Headquarters in Paris, with the theme “Tech for Trust”. Among the topics discussed were the ways that blockchain, big data analytics, artificial intelligence and other new technologies are transforming how governments, business and society operate. The 2019 Forum focused on the risks and opportunities of new technologies for anti-corruption and integrity, while new insights related to trade, foreign bribery, competition and development cooperation also featured in the discussions.

WCO continues to support the Bahamas in Customs valuation

27 March 2019

The World Customs Organization (WCO), under the framework of the WCO-Bahamas Training Programme, organized a second national workshop on Customs valuation for Bahamas Customs and Excise Department (BCED).

Successful completion of the second step towards development of a “Pool of Customs Valuation Trainers” in Southern Africa

27 March 2019

Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the Second Working Group Activity (sub-regional workshop) of the Master Trainers Programme (MTP) on Customs Valuation (CV) was held in Maputo, Mozambique from 18-22 March 2019

WCO supports Tonga to strengthen its Time Release Study (TRS) capacities

27 March 2019

Following the Mercator Implementation Plan for the Kingdom of Tonga, the WCO jointly organized together with the World Bank, a 5-day training workshop in Tongatapu from the 11th to 15th of March 2019 to strengthen trade stakeholder’s capacities in the Time Release Study (TRS).

WCO Successfully Assesses the Malawi Revenue Authority’s People Development Foundations as a Strategic Contributor to Trade Facilitation

27 March 2019

The coming-into-force of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) and the wider challenges of Customs reform and modernization requires Customs administrations to constantly adapt their management and operational models.

Development of Customs Risk Management Framework in Tanzania for the further enhancement of its risk management function

27 March 2019

Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, a national workshop for the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) on the development of Customs Risk Management (RM) Framework was organized in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 18-22 March 2019.

The WCO further enhances its capabilities to provide Capacity Building support in the area of Transit

26 March 2019

An Accreditation Workshop for French-speaking experts on Transit was held from 18 to 22 March 2019 at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels with the support of the Japanese Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF Japan).

WCO supports Azerbaijan Customs to build capacity in X-ray image analysis

22 March 2019

A National Train-the-Trainers Workshop on X-ray image interpretation was delivered by the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Baku, Azerbaijan in the period 11-15 March 2019.

First steps for the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme for Customs in Sierra Leone

21 March 2019

The first activity of the new WCO A-CIP Programme took place in Sierra Leone 11-15th March.

Asia Pacific training managers gathered to discuss further cooperation in the region

21 March 2019

The WCO, in cooperation with Japan Customs and the ROCB A/P, organized a regional workshop on Training Management from 4 to 8 March 2019 at the RTC Japan in Kashiwa, under the sponsorship of the Japanese Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF/Japan).

Enhanced cooperation with Italy

20 March 2019

At the invitation of Mr. Benedetto Mineo, Director General of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, and Mr. Giorgio Toschi, General Commander of the Guardia di Finanza, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited both agencies in Rome, Italy on 19 March 2019.

WCO attends Development Partners Meeting for the Americas and Caribbean region

20 March 2019

The WCO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Ricardo Treviño Chapa, attended the 2019 Development Partners Coordination Meeting for the Americas and Caribbean region held in Washington, D.C., United States on 14 March 2019. The event was co-organized by the WCO, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and hosted by the IDB.

The WCO supports Gambia Revenue Authority and stakeholders in the preparation of the Time Release Study (TRS)

20 March 2019

From 4 to 8 February 2019 in Banjul (Gambia), the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a National Workshop to raise awareness of and prepare for the Time Release Study (TRS).

WCO and IPPC agree on a Joint Work Plan for Cooperation

19 March 2019

At the invitation of the Secretary to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), Mr. Jingyuan Xia, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited the IPPC Secretariat hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, Italy on 18 March 2019. Both parties agreed on a Joint Work Plan for Cooperation (2019-2022) between the two Organizations, following on from the Agreement signed on 19 June 2018.

The 38th Session of the Enforcement Committee discusses SMART borders and how to enhance Customs controls

19 March 2019

More than 200 Customs delegates participated in the 38th Session of the WCO Enforcement Committee (EC) which took place in Brussels from 11 to 15 March 2019 under the theme “SMART Borders: Knowledge-based Customs enforcement”.

Jamaica becomes the second country in the Americas and Caribbean region to implement the nCEN

19 March 2019

The WCO finalized the deployment of the National Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) application in Jamaica with an nCEN Workshop in Kingston.

The WCO organized a successful Regional Workshop for the Accreditation of TRS experts in Xiamen, China

19 March 2019

Under the sponsorship of the China Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF- China), 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 Regional Training Centre in Xiamen, China, from 11 to 15 March 2019.

Conference of Directors General of Customs of the West and Central Africa region

18 March 2019

At the invitation of the WCO Council Vice-Chair, Général de Brigade Toumany Sangaré, Director General of Guinea Customs, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya attended the 24th Conference of Directors General of Customs of the West and Central Africa region, held in Bangui (Central African Republic) from 13 to 15 March 2019.

RILO WE Meeting with New Director of German Federal Customs Criminological Office – Dr. Rainer Mellwig

18 March 2019

At the invitation of the new Director of German Federal Customs Criminological Office (Zollkriminalamt), Dr. Rainer Mellwig, the RILO WE Team visited him on 14 February 2019.

The PTC endorses the Study Report on Disruptive Technologies

18 March 2019

The Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) held its 223rd/224th Sessions from 5 to 8 March 2019 at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels.

New UNESCO tools to fight the illicit trafficking of cultural property

15 March 2019

As part of a joint initiative with the European Union, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has developed two new tools to help the judiciary and law enforcement agencies fight the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

Time Release Study (TRS) Guide

14 March 2019

The WCO published the updated version of the Time Release Study (TRS) Guide (Version 3).

Joint WCO - OECD Regional Workshop on Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing in Yangzhou, China

14 March 2019

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) with the support of China Customs Cooperation Fund organized a regional Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Workshop for Customs and Tax officials of the WCO Asia Pacific region.

UNODC – WCO Container Control Programme receives BIC Award

14 March 2019

On 11 March 2019, the opening day of this year’s Enforcement Committee Meeting, Mr. Douglas Owen, Secretary General of the Bureau International des Containers (BIC), and Mr. Giordano Guerrini, BIC Chairman of the Board, presented the BIC Award to Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, WCO Secretary General, and to Mr. John Brandolino, Director of the Division for Treaty Affairs, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in recognition of the effectiveness of the UNODC – WCO Container Control Programme (CCP).

11th TFA Working Group explores new opportunities for the Time Release Study

14 March 2019

The WCO Trade Facilitation Agreement Working Group (TFAWG) met for the eleventh time on 4 and 5 March 2019 in Brussels at the WCO’s Headquarters.

3rd Meeting of National Contact Points for Capacity Building in the WCO Americas and Caribbean Region

13 March 2019

The 3rd Regional Meeting of National Contact Points (NCPs) for Capacity Building in the Americas and the Caribbean region (AMS) was held from 5 to 7 March 2019 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

WCO Conducts a Post Clearance Audit Diagnostic for the Customs Division of Antigua and Barbuda

13 March 2019

Following the recommendations of the Mercator Implementation Plan for Antigua and Barbuda, the WCO conducted a five-day diagnostic on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) from 25 February to 1 March 2019 in St John’ s.

The National Revenue Authority (NRA) of Sierra Leone modernizes its Human Resource system by integrating a competency-based approach

13 March 2019

Recognizing the strategic importance of human resources in the process of creating organizational values, the NRA pays particular importance to the modernization of its Human Resources (HR) system.

Accreditation workshop for Technical and Operational Advisors on the Revenue Package for the administrations of French-speaking African countries

13 March 2019

As part of its Capacity Building strategy, and under the patronage of the programme “Harmonizing the classification of goods based on WCO standards to enhance African trade”, funded by the European Union (EU), the WCO organized an accreditation workshop for Technical and Operational Advisors (TOAs) on the cross-cutting tools on classification, origin and valuation developed under the Revenue Package.

13 March 2019

In response to an express request from the Director General of Customs of the Union of the Comoros and with financial support from the Finnish Government through the Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF) for the WCO East and Southern Africa (ESA) region, the WCO organized a national workshop, for the Comorian Customs Administration, on the amended International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, known as the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC).

WCO continues to support the Bahamas in the area of tariff classification

13 March 2019

The World Customs Organization (WCO), under the framework of the WCO and Bahamas Customs and Excise Department (BCED) technical assistance agreement, organized a second national workshop on the Harmonized System.

WCO Risk Management diagnostic mission to support Gambia Revenue Authority

13 March 2019

The WCO conducted a Risk Management (RM) diagnostic mission in Gambia, from 25 February to 1 March 2019, to support the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) with its ongoing reform and modernization programme.

Launch of the EU-WCO Programme for Harmonized System in Africa

11 March 2019

The Continental Inaugural Conference of the EU-WCO Programme for the Harmonized System (HS) in Africa was held on 27-28 February 2019 at the headquarters of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Japan continues to support the WCO counter-terrorism initiative for South East Asia

08 March 2019

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, met the Japanese Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Mr. Hajime Hayashi, at the Headquarters of the WCO in Brussels, Belgium on Friday, 8 March 2019, during which a Note Verbale was exchanged on the Government of Japan’s continuing financial contribution to the WCO Security Project in the Asia/Pacific region.

Another Successful Step in the Development of “Pool of PCA Trainers” in East Africa

08 March 2019

Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the Second Working Group Activity (sub-regional workshop) of the Master Trainers Programme (MTP) on Post Clearance Audit (PCA) was held in Nairobi, Kenya from 4- 8 March 2019, comprising the same participants from the five countries in East Africa who participated in the first sub-regional workshop held in Tanzania in September of last year.

The global Customs community celebrates International Women’s Day 2019

08 March 2019

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is pleased to join the international community in celebrating International Women’s Day 2019 with the theme ‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change,’ which focuses on innovative ways to advance gender equality, particularly in relation to social protection systems, access to public services, and sustainable infrastructure.

Strong political support for Customs modernization in Uzbekistan

07 March 2019

At the invitation of the Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Mr. Murotjon Azimov, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 6 and 7 March 2019 to deliberate on further cooperation with Uzbek Customs.

WCO Members engage in a Pilot project to test the Unified File Format Development

07 March 2019

1 March 2019 witnessed the start of the execution of a Pilot Project to test the development under Phase 2 of the Unified File Format Development Programme.

Kazakhstan expands logistics at borders and in main cities under strong political leadership

05 March 2019

At the invitation of Mr. Marat Sultangaziyev, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Kazakhstan on 4 and 5 March 2019 to meet political leaders and observe the velocity of the bilateral trade movements in these logistic hubs.

WCO supports MENA Region in the implementation of the Pre-arrival Processing System

04 March 2019

The WCO with the support from the Japanese Customs Cooperation Fund and Jordanian Customs conducted a regional workshop on the ‘Development of Pre-arrival Processing System’ for the North Africa and Middle East (MENA) region in Amman/Jordan from 25 to 28 February 2019.

Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Workshop in Bogota, Colombia

04 March 2019

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales, Colombia (DIAN) and the support of the Korean Customs Cooperation Fund, organized a Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Workshop for the Customs Department and Tax Administration of Colombia.

Dynamic WCO Leadership and Management Development Workshop in Jamaica

04 March 2019

Under the framework of the HMRC-WCO-UNCTAD-Mercator Programme, funded by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) via Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom, the WCO organized a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) workshop from 11 to 22 February 2019 benefitting 19 senior managers of the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA).

Enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China: Custom’s role highlighted

01 March 2019

At the invitation of the Director General of Macau Customs, Mr. Alex Vong, and the Commissioner of Hong Kong Customs, Mr. Hermes Tang, Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited both Customs Administrations of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People’s Republic of China on 26 and 27 February 2019. On 1 March 2019 he also visited Hong Kong Customs College, which serves as a WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC).

WCO discusses benefits and challenges relating to free trade zones at The Economist's Asian Trade Summit

01 March 2019

At the invitation of The Economist, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya addressed participants at the Asian Trade Summit, held in Hong Kong (China) on 28 February 2019, on the WCO’s work relating to free trade zone (FTZ) management.

WCO celebrates World Wildlife Day 2019 - Life below water: for people and planet

01 March 2019

The World Customs Organization (WCO) joins its international partners in celebrating World Wildlife Day 2019, and pledges its continuing support to its close partner, the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), whose admirable work in protecting our planet’s biodiversity is unrelenting.