Imagine global goods flowing like vehicles on a superhighway, with national customs authorities serving as intelligent toll stations working in seamless coordination to ensure both security and efficiency. This vision is not a distant future scenario, but an active initiative being advanced by the World Customs Organization (WCO) through its Global Networked Customs (GNC) concept. The recent visit by WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya to Dutch Customs marked a significant step toward realizing this ambitious vision.
Dutch Customs: A Strategic Hub in Global Trade
On October 14, 2013, Secretary General Mikuriya conducted an official visit to the Dutch Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration. During the visit, he held substantive discussions with Angelique Berg, Director-General of Dutch Customs; Ellie van Berkelaer, Customs Manager; Hans van den Bergraven, Legislative Director; and senior members of the Customs management team. The visit not only recognized the crucial role of Dutch Customs in global trade but also acknowledged the Netherlands' contributions to advancing customs modernization.
Key Discussion Points: Information Sharing, Data Quality and Mutual Assistance
The bilateral talks addressed critical challenges and opportunities facing global customs operations, focusing on several core issues:
Information Exchange: In an increasingly complex global trade environment, effective information sharing serves as the foundation for combating smuggling and ensuring trade security. The parties explored how advanced technologies could establish more efficient and secure information-sharing mechanisms to achieve seamless connectivity between customs administrations worldwide.
Global Networked Customs (GNC): As one of WCO's central strategies, GNC aims to create an interconnected global customs network that achieves both trade facilitation and security objectives. The discussions covered implementation pathways, technical standards, and cooperation models for GNC.
Data Quality: Recognizing that high-quality data forms the basis for customs decision-making, both sides agreed that improving data quality represents a crucial component of customs modernization. They examined methods to enhance data collection, analysis, and management to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
Multilateral Mutual Assistance Conventions: Special attention was given to conventions such as the OECD Mutual Assistance Convention and the Johannesburg Convention, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in combating cross-border crime and maintaining global trade order. Both parties committed to strengthening collaboration under these frameworks to address shared challenges.
Mutual Recognition: As an important tool for trade facilitation, mutual recognition of customs control standards and procedures can reduce duplicate inspections, lower trade costs, and improve clearance efficiency. The discussions focused on advancing mutual recognition to create a more open and efficient trading environment.
Dutch Contributions: Technical Assistance and Innovation Leadership
Secretary General Mikuriya expressed appreciation for the Netherlands' generous support through its contributions to various technical assistance programs and its consistent high-quality engagement with WCO initiatives. He welcomed continued Dutch Customs support and acknowledged Director-General Berg's commitment to provide assistance within available resources. Dutch Customs has played an active role in global customs affairs, not only through substantial technical assistance but also by contributing expertise to WCO programs.
Looking Ahead: Collaborative Progress Toward a New Global Trade Framework
The visit strengthened cooperation between WCO and Dutch Customs while providing strategic direction for global customs collaboration. In an era of multiple trade challenges, enhanced international cooperation represents the key to achieving both trade facilitation and security objectives. The partnership between WCO and Dutch Customs will make significant contributions to building a more open, efficient, and secure global trade framework. Their joint efforts will advance the development of smarter, more coordinated customs operations worldwide, injecting new vitality into global trade prosperity.
Secretary General Mikuriya's visit to Dutch Customs symbolizes a new phase in global customs cooperation. Facing increasingly complex international trade environments, customs administrations worldwide must work together to effectively address challenges, seize opportunities, and jointly build a more prosperous, secure, and efficient global trade system. This vision represents not only WCO's aspiration but also the shared expectation of all stakeholders committed to global trade development.