Operation Cosmo’s interdiction phase concludes

31 octubre 2014

As part of its Strategic Trade Controls Enforcement (STCE) Project, the WCO, with the support of its international partners (INTERPOL, UNODC, UNODA, IAEA, and OPCW) and its Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) Network, has been organizing an unprecedented law enforcement operation to detect and prevent illicit trafficking of strategic goods in international supply chains.

UEMOA High-Level Meeting

31 octubre 2014

At the invitation of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya participated in the high-level follow-up meeting of the UEMOA Customs modernization project supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), held in Dakar, Senegal on 29 October 2014.

Successful Conclusion of the World Bank-funded Customs Capacity Enhancement in Sub Saharan Africa Project

31 octubre 2014

On October 21 – 23, 2014, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) co-organized and hosted the closing workshop for the training and e-learning component of the Customs Capacity Enhancement in Sub Saharan African project, which has been made possible through a grant of €2,200,000 from the World Bank’s Trade Facilitation Facility (TFF).

French-speaking Customs meeting to enhance cooperation

29 octubre 2014

French-speaking Customs meeting to enhance cooperation

nCEN goes live in Botswana

29 octubre 2014

The WCO launched its national Customs Enforcement Network (nCEN) application in Botswana in October 2014. Following the pilot projects in Mauritius and Kenya, the nCEN is already operational in Namibia, Swaziland, and the Seychelles, providing these countries crucial opportunities for regional cooperation in the enforcement field.

National Workshop on HS in Vanuatu

24 octubre 2014

More than 20 Customs Officials participated in a National Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS), organized jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Vanuatu Customs & Inland Revenue Department, with the support of Euroscustoms, in Port Vila, Vanuatu, from 13 to 17 October 2014.

WCO addresses the US Interagency Committee on WCO matters

22 octubre 2014

At the invitation of US Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Gil Kerlikowske, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya addressed the US Interagency Committee on WCO matters.

Latin America and the Caribbean in the 21st Century Trade Architecture

22 octubre 2014

Tanzania hosts 4 WCO National Seminars on the Harmonized System

22 octubre 2014

Four National Seminars on the Harmonized System (HS), organized jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), with the support of the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), were held at the Institute of Tax Administration (ITA) in Dar es Salaam, from 22 to 29 October 2014.

National Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights for Indonesian Customs

22 octubre 2014

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in cooperation with the Asia Pacific Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB A/P), conducted a WCO National Seminar on Intellectual Property Rights in Jakarta, Indonesia from 23 to 25 September 2014. The Seminar took place at the Indonesia Customs headquarters under the sponsorship of the Customs Cooperation Fund IPR/Japan.

National Workshop on the Harmonized System in Tonga

22 octubre 2014

A National Workshop on the Harmonized System (HS), organized jointly by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Ministry of Revenue and Customs of Tonga, with the support of Euroscustoms, was held at the Ministry of Finance in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from 6 to 10 October 2014. Customs Officers from the Tonga Customs Service and Customs Brokers in Tonga participated in the five days workshop.

Second Indian MCTP Delegation at the WCO

21 octubre 2014

As part of the overseas component of the Indian Customs Administration Mid Career Training Programme (MCTP), a second Delegation of high-level Officials from the National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) and the Indian Tax, Excise and Customs Services, visited WCO Headquarters on 17 October 2014.

WCO assists with Support Programme for implementation of Cameroon Customs Modernization Plan (PAPMOD)

21 octubre 2014

WCO assists with Support Programme for implementation of Cameroon Customs Modernization Plan (PAPMOD)

WCO supports Time Release Study for goods transported from Dar es Salaam to Bujumbura and Kigali

21 octubre 2014

The World Customs Organization (WCO) attended a regional Time Release Study (TRS) Workshop organized by the East African Community (EAC) in Kigali, Rwanda, from 6 to 10 October 2014.

Dialogue with ICC Commission on Customs and Trade Facilitation

17 octubre 2014

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) held its Commission on Customs and Trade Facilitation, chaired by Mr. Norman Schenk, Vice President, United Parcel Service (UPS), at WCO Headquarters on 16-17 October 2014.

WCO harmonization and coordination support in Timor-Leste

17 octubre 2014

In October 2014 a WCO Capacity Building support mission was undertaken to Timor-Leste. The mission was the fourth in a series of inputs as part of the Project for Customs Capacity Building for WCO members 2012-15 which is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

WCO addresses sustainable growth in logistics at the FIATA World Congress

16 octubre 2014

At the invitation of the President of International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), Mr. Francesco Parisi, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya gave a keynote speech at the FIATA World Congress held in Istanbul, Turkey on 15 October 2014.

WCO Capacity Building support provided to Viet Nam

15 octubre 2014

In September 2014 a WCO Capacity Building support mission was undertaken to Viet Nam. The mission was the sixth in a series of inputs as part of the Project for Customs Capacity Building for WCO members 2012-15 which is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

5th meeting in Gabon of the Capacity Building Contact Points for the West and Central Africa region

15 octubre 2014

Over 15 to 17 October 2014, the contact points of 15 Customs administrations, the Vice Chair, the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB), the Regional Training Centres (RTC), the Regional Intelligence Liaison Offices (RILOs), representatives of the Economic Community of Central African States and AFRITAC-Central Africa, and the WCO Regional Development Manager of the West and Central Africa region, met for their 5th meeting in Libreville, capital of Gabon.

WCO announces the results of its first global operation against illicit trade in tobacco

13 octubre 2014

The first global Customs operation focused on the illicit trade in tobacco resulted in the seizure of 593 million cigarettes, 77 tons of smoking tobacco, 31 tons of raw tobacco, 15 tons of water pipe tobacco, 5 tons of chewing tobacco, and 2.5 tons of hand rolling and pipe tobacco.

Workshop on Customs Valuation for the Customs Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina

13 octubre 2014

The WCO recently conducted a five-day workshop dedicated to Customs valuation for the Indirect Taxation Authority of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Financial support for the event was provided by the German Customs Cooperation Fund. Twenty four officials representing both headquarters and regional offices took part in the workshop.

National Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) Workshop in Papua New Guinea

13 octubre 2014

The WCO, responding to a request for capacity building in the field of revenue, conducted a National Workshop on PCA for the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Customs Service in Port Moresby, PNG, from 22 to 26 September 2014, in co-operation with the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building for the Asia Pacific Region (ROCB A/P).

Workshop on Customs valuation and transfer pricing for Thai Customs, Revenue and Excise departments

08 octubre 2014

The WCO recently conducted a workshop in Bangkok for Thai Customs and tax departments on the topics of Customs valuation and transfer pricing. Following a series of regional events based on this format, this was the first national workshop to bring together Customs and tax officials to discuss these overlapping issues.

Conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement on Capacity Building with the Korea Customs Service

08 octubre 2014

Mr. Nak-Hoe Kim, Commissioner of Korea Customs Service, and Mr. Kunio Mikuriya, Secretary General of the WCO, concluded a Cooperation Agreement under the auspices of the Korean Customs Cooperation Fund in Seoul, Korea on 8 October 2014.

Korean Ministry of Finance provides support for WCO capacity building

08 octubre 2014

Korean Ministry of Finance provides support for WCO capacity building

WCO participates in World BASC International Congress

08 octubre 2014

At the invitation of Mr. Fermín Cuza, International President of the World Business Alliance for Secure Commerce (BASC), WCO Deputy Secretary General Sergio Mujica attended the VI World BASC International Congress held on 2 and 3 October 2014 in Washington D.C. The central theme of the meeting was: "Business and Government Working Together: The Road to Global Prosperity".

TIACA Conference addresses air cargo facilitation and security

07 octubre 2014

At the invitation of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA), Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya delivered a keynote speech at its Air Cargo Forum and Exhibition held in Seoul, Korea on 7 October 2014.

WCO promotes the role of Customs in Trade Facilitation at WTO Public Forum in Geneva

07 octubre 2014

On 1-3 October, the WCO participated in the WTO Public Forum 2014 which was held at the WCO headquarters in Geneva. The annual WTO Public Forum, previously known as the Public Symposium, was first held in 2001.

Harmonized System Workshop for Chemists opens at the WCO

06 octubre 2014

The 2nd Customs Laboratory Programme was launched on 6 October 2014 at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, under the sponsorship of Japan (CCF/JAPAN).

Programme Global Shield accredited trainers lead End User Verification trainings in Pakistan

06 octubre 2014

WCO Programme Global Shield (PGS) accredited trainers from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan delivered PGS End User Verification (EUV) trainings to their colleagues in Pakistan in September 2014.

2nd Meeting of the TFA Working Group agrees to progress the trade facilitation agenda

06 octubre 2014

The 2nd Meeting of the WCO Working Group on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFAWG) was held in Brussels from 29 to 30 September 2014.

Montenegro hosts WCO National Workshop on the implementation of its Customs Laboratory

06 octubre 2014

With sponsorship of the German Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF/Germany), a WCO National Workshop on the implementation of the Customs Laboratory was held in the headquarters of the Montenegro Customs in Podgorica, from 29 September to 3 October 2014.

WCO Leadership and Management Development Workshop in Zambia

03 octubre 2014

In support of its broader Customs Capacity Building agenda, the WCO in partnership with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) organized a Leadership and Management Development (LMD) Workshop from 25 August until 5 September, 2014 for 19 senior managers. The overall objective of the two-week interactive workshop was to strengthen senior management capacity to lead and drive reforms within ZRA’s Customs modernization agenda.

Opening of the WCO’s 64th Fellowship Programme

03 octubre 2014

The 64th WCO Fellowship Programme, intended for English-speakers, was launched in Brussels on Monday 29 September 2014.

WCO Accreditation workshop for Customs Modernization Advisors in the United States of America

02 octubre 2014

From 22 to 26 September 2014, an accreditation workshop for WCO Customs Modernization Advisors was conducted at the United States Customs and Border Protection’s Advanced Training Center in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, USA. The workshop was funded by USAID.