From 21 to 24 March 2023, within the SECO-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP) framework, the WCO delivered a Follow-up Mercator Mission to the Customs Administration of Colombia (DIAN), aimed to assess the progress made by DIAN since the diagnostic mission held back in July 2019.

Through a series of interviews with the DIAN and relevant stakeholders, the WCO team was able to review the progress made after four years of implementation of the Mercator Programme, concluding that DIAN had addressed a high percentage of the recommendations from 2019, and pointing out to significant progress in fields such as information available through the internet, post clearance audit and the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) where there was a whopping increase in the number of AEOs.

Based on the results of the dedicated work during the five-day mission, the WCO team took note of further developments to date, including the enhancement of the DIAN’s strategy, the establishment of a trade facilitation division, and the strengthening of their human resources training plan. Also, the WCO team provided additional recommendations to ensure the sustainable implementation of trade facilitation measures in the country.

Under the methodology of the Mercator Programme, the GTFP has provided tailor-made assistance to its beneficiary countries to address the Customs administrations’ priorities and needs. The WCO and the GTFP will continue to support DIAN in its efforts in the holistic planning and implementation of Customs modernization, particularly in trade facilitation.

For more information on the GTFP, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.