Papua New Guinea Upgrades SEZ Customs to Meet Global Standards

Papua New Guinea Upgrades SEZ Customs to Meet Global Standards

Papua New Guinea Customs Service (PNGCS) is actively improving its management of Special Economic Zones. A workshop organized by the World Customs Organization (WCO) helped PNGCS benchmark against international standards, identify gaps, and learn from other countries' experiences. The outcomes of the discussions will be used to revise laws and regulations, aiming to establish a more efficient and transparent SEZ management system and promote economic development. This initiative underscores PNG's commitment to aligning with global best practices in customs administration and fostering a favorable investment climate.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Advances Digital Shift with Online Document Meeting

WCO Advances Digital Shift with Online Document Meeting

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully concluded its first fully online document conference, marking an innovation in international cooperation. The conference focused on key issues such as pandemic response, e-commerce development, and the future of customs, facilitating efficient interaction through a digital platform and providing a reference for the global trade digital transformation. Data analysis shows the high feasibility of the fully online model, the crucial role of digital tools, the relevance of the agenda setting, and a clear results-oriented approach.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Madagascar Shares Disaster Resilience Strategies Amid Crises

Madagascar Shares Disaster Resilience Strategies Amid Crises

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and Columbia University's National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP), held a workshop in Madagascar to enhance the country's capacity to respond to pandemics and natural disasters. Through the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and practical exercises, Madagascar gained valuable lessons, providing insights for other developing countries facing challenges posed by climate change. The workshop aimed to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience through customs facilitation and international collaboration.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO SAFE Upgrade Boosts SME Security in Global Ecommerce

WCO SAFE Upgrade Boosts SME Security in Global Ecommerce

The 30th WCO SAFE Working Group meeting focused on empowering MSMEs and securing emerging trade models. It promoted the continuous evolution of the SAFE Framework through measures like upgrading technical standards, expanding AEO programs, and strengthening the security of cross-border e-commerce and free zone trade. The meeting emphasized data security, standardization, MSME participation, and the application of emerging technologies. These efforts aim to build a safer, more efficient, and inclusive global trade system, contributing to global economic prosperity.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO UN Call for Unimpeded Trade for Landlocked Nations During Pandemic

WCO UN Call for Unimpeded Trade for Landlocked Nations During Pandemic

The World Customs Organization and the United Nations urge ensuring smooth trade for landlocked developing countries during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of freedom of transit and international cooperation. By simplifying customs procedures, investing in infrastructure, and diversifying trade partners, we can collectively address the impact of the pandemic on landlocked countries' trade and build a more resilient global supply chain. This collaborative effort aims to mitigate disruptions and foster sustainable economic growth for these vulnerable nations during and after the crisis.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Kazakhstan Enhances Trade Transit with Wtobacked Customs Reforms

Kazakhstan Enhances Trade Transit with Wtobacked Customs Reforms

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held an online workshop for Kazakhstan to support the implementation of Article 11 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, aiming to improve transit efficiency. The workshop focused on the role of the National Transit Coordinator and shared best practices. It provided support for Kazakhstan to optimize transit procedures and promote trade facilitation, strengthening its position as a transit hub in Central Asia. The initiative is expected to streamline customs processes and boost regional trade.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Finalizes Key Ecommerce Trade Standards

WCO Finalizes Key Ecommerce Trade Standards

The World Customs Organization (WCO) Working Group on E-Commerce (WGEC) held its final meeting in Brussels, finalizing key annexes to the Technical Specifications of the E-Commerce Standards Framework, laying the foundation for the implementation of global standards for cross-border e-commerce. The meeting emphasized the importance of data sharing, case studies, and capacity building, and looked forward to the future development direction of cross-border e-commerce standards. These achievements have significant implications for the development of China's cross-border e-commerce.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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El Salvador Joins Revised Kyoto Convention Boosting Global Trade

El Salvador Joins Revised Kyoto Convention Boosting Global Trade

The 32nd Session of the Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC) Management Committee concluded successfully, with El Salvador joining, bringing the number of contracting parties to 135. The meeting finalized the review of updated guidelines for both general and specific annexes, covering key areas such as customs security, advance rulings, and coordinated border management. Moving forward, the RKC will continue to be updated, contributing to global trade facilitation. The updates aim to streamline customs procedures and enhance security measures for international trade.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Brazil Study Reveals Trade Facilitation Opportunities

Brazil Study Reveals Trade Facilitation Opportunities

Brazil's first national Time Release Study (TRS) revealed an average release time of 7.5 days, with customs clearance accounting for less than 10% and private sector processes exceeding half. The study, following the WCO methodology, aims to enhance transparency and promote trade facilitation, with plans to publicly release the raw data. The research underscores the critical role of data-driven approaches in optimizing customs procedures and fostering trade facilitation. It highlights areas for improvement within both public and private sectors to streamline the overall import/export process.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Americas Caribbean Boost Crossborder Ecommerce Supply Chains

Americas Caribbean Boost Crossborder Ecommerce Supply Chains

The Americas and Caribbean Customs-Postal Strategy Conference highlighted the crucial role of customs-postal cooperation in fostering cross-border e-commerce. The WCO emphasized data-driven approaches and standardized frameworks, while the UPU and PUASP focused on process optimization and combating smuggling. Participants committed to strengthening collaboration to build a more efficient and secure global postal supply chain, laying the groundwork for the future development of cross-border trade. This includes enhanced data exchange and harmonized procedures to facilitate smoother and safer international transactions.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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