The Royal Malaysia Customs Department (RMCD) has taken a significant step towards modernizing its trade facilitation efforts in collaboration with the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme. The WCO facilitated a comprehensive gap analysis of Malaysia’s Post Clearance Audit (PCA) processes, conducted by the Programme experts with the support of accredited experts from Denmark and China. This five-day activity, held in Putrajaya from 21 to 25 October 2024, is the first in a series of strategically tailored engagements under the Programme designed to strengthen Malaysian Customs capabilities and support WTO TFA implementation.

In the buildup to this activity, RMCD officials participated in a series of virtual sessions with WCO experts, aligning the RMCD’s objectives with targeted support areas. Through these engagements, the groundwork was laid to enable the RMCD to purposefully participate in the intensive 5-day programme, which included gathering insights into the current PCA approach in Malaysia and the critical relationship between risk management and PCA. Modernizing Customs clearance processes, strengthening PCA officer expertise, and enhancing Human Resource Management tools and materials, were identified as essential underpinnings of a modern Customs administration.

During the sessions, the dedicated Working group collaboratively developed a PCA Modernization Roadmap. This roadmap aims to improve trader compliance, enable more strategic resource allocation within Customs, and create a streamlined environment for legitimate trade – directly aligning with WTO TFA Article 7.5. As a major trading nation with one of the largest deep-water ports and a role as a global trade hub, Malaysia recognizes the importance of effective Customs and Border management as part of Malaysia’s strategy for enhancing trade facilitation and achieving more substantial economic outcomes for Malaysians. The collaboration with WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme reflects a shared commitment to create lasting improvements that go beyond theory and policy and impact the daily operations of Customs officers and the Private Sector in a positive way.

During the closing ceremony, RMCD leadership expressed gratitude for the Programme’s support in strengthening RMCD’s capabilities and advancing Malaysia’s trade competitiveness. This capacity-building initiative is part of RMCD’s comprehensive collaboration with the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, which aims to create an enhanced business-enabling environment that drives prosperity and inclusive trade-led growth.

The WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, funded by the United Kingdom, looks forward to its continued partnership with RMCD to drive further improvements in Malaysia’s trade facilitation landscape.
For more information on the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, please see here.

For more information on WCO capacity building, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.