The gears of global trade are turning more smoothly as cross-border customs clearance efficiency improves significantly. This vision is becoming reality through continuous efforts in international customs cooperation. Recently, Costa Rica took an important step by formally joining the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC), becoming its 140th contracting party and injecting new vitality into global trade facilitation.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) announced that the Republic of Costa Rica has officially acceded to the International Convention on the Simplification and Harmonization of Customs Procedures, known as the Revised Kyoto Convention. Originally signed in Kyoto on May 18, 1973, and revised on June 26, 1999, this move demonstrates Costa Rica's commitment to streamlining customs procedures and promoting international trade facilitation.
On October 23, 2025, Her Excellency Eliana María Villalobos Cárdenas, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the Kingdom of Belgium, formally submitted the instrument of accession to the WCO Secretary General. This milestone marks Costa Rica's official status as the 140th contracting party to the RKC.
Notably, Costa Rica becomes the 12th country among 33 WCO members in the Americas to join the convention. Its accession expands the RKC's contracting parties, with 140 of the WCO's 187 members now participating—a testament to the convention's global significance and influence.
The Revised Kyoto Convention's Framework
Recognized as the most comprehensive standard instrument in international customs, the RKC provides a framework for simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures. At its core, the convention focuses on simplified, harmonized, and standardized customs processes designed to reduce trade barriers, improve clearance efficiency, lower trade costs, and foster healthy international trade development. By adopting modern customs management techniques and risk management methods, the RKC helps national customs administrations better address challenges in global trade.
The RKC's primary objectives include:
- Simplifying and standardizing customs procedures: Reducing complexity and uncertainty through uniform terminology, definitions, and processes.
- Improving clearance efficiency: Shortening cargo clearance times, lowering trade costs, and enhancing business competitiveness.
- Promoting trade facilitation: Streamlining customs procedures to reduce trade barriers and facilitate international trade flows.
- Strengthening customs cooperation: Encouraging information exchange and collaboration among customs administrations to combat smuggling and fraud.
- Enhancing transparency: Publishing customs laws, regulations, and procedures to ensure businesses have timely access to relevant information.
Benefits for Costa Rica
Costa Rica's RKC accession will yield multiple positive impacts:
- Trade growth: Simplified customs procedures will reduce trade costs and improve clearance efficiency, attracting foreign investment and boosting exports to drive economic development.
- Enhanced competitiveness: Adoption of international customs standards will help Costa Rican businesses compete more effectively in global markets.
- Improved business environment: Reduced administrative burdens and increased efficiency will create a more favorable operating environment.
- Regional cooperation: RKC membership will strengthen trade collaboration with other American nations and promote regional economic integration.
- Customs modernization: Implementing RKC standards will elevate customs administration capabilities to better address global trade challenges.
The WCO Secretary General welcomed Costa Rica's accession and pledged continued support for effective RKC implementation to benefit the country's customs administration, trade community, and broader society. The WCO will provide technical assistance, training, and capacity building to help Costa Rica maximize the convention's advantages.
Costa Rica's accession brings new energy to the RKC and additional momentum to global trade facilitation efforts. Within the RKC framework, Costa Rica is expected to further enhance its customs administration, promote trade development, and contribute to global economic prosperity. The move also encourages more nations to join the convention and collectively advance trade facilitation for mutual benefit.
As global trade continues evolving, customs administrations play increasingly vital roles in both facilitating trade and ensuring national security. The Revised Kyoto Convention serves as a cornerstone international standard for advancing trade facilitation worldwide. Through collaborative efforts, the RKC will continue making significant contributions to global trade prosperity.