Botswana Boosts Customs Audits with WCO Assistance

Botswana Boosts Customs Audits with WCO Assistance

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a Post Clearance Audit (PCA) workshop for the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS) to enhance its revenue administration capabilities. This activity, part of the Swedish government-funded Sida-WCO TFCM Programme, covered topics like risk management and customs valuation. The workshop aims to assist Botswana in increasing tax revenue, combating smuggling, and promoting trade facilitation and sustainable development. It focuses on strengthening BURS's ability to effectively conduct PCA and improve overall customs control.

01/20/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Pacific Islands Boost Customs Skills Via WCO Training

Pacific Islands Boost Customs Skills Via WCO Training

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched the Harmonized System (HS) Classification Master Trainer Program for Pacific Island Countries, aiming to enhance their HS coding capabilities by developing a pool of regional experts. The inaugural working group event brought together experts from various countries to share experiences and discuss development strategies, laying the foundation for trade facilitation in the Pacific Island region. This initiative is crucial for improving customs efficiency and ensuring accurate tariff application, ultimately contributing to economic growth and regional integration.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation in Pacific Islands

WCOJICA Enhances Customs Valuation in Pacific Islands

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), launched a Customs Valuation Mentor Training Program for Pacific Island Countries, aiming to build a regional pool of experts and enhance customs valuation capabilities. The program promotes regional cooperation, enhances competitiveness, and achieves sustainable development by cultivating local experts and developing regional training materials. Recommended follow-up actions include strengthening training evaluation, establishing an information-sharing platform, and improving legal and regulatory frameworks.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits Via Virtual Workshop

Uzbekistan Maldives Boost Customs Audits Via Virtual Workshop

Uzbekistan and Maldives Customs held a virtual workshop where Uzbekistan learned from the Maldives' experience in post-clearance audit to enhance its own capabilities. The workshop facilitated knowledge sharing and best practices in customs procedures, specifically focusing on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of post-clearance audit processes. This collaboration highlights the importance of international customs cooperation in strengthening national customs administrations and promoting trade facilitation.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Trains Pakistan Customs to Boost Trade Via Audit Efficiency

WCO Trains Pakistan Customs to Boost Trade Via Audit Efficiency

The World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully conducted an advanced Post Clearance Audit (PCA) training in Pakistan, aiming to enhance the PCA capabilities of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). This initiative fosters cooperation between customs and businesses, ultimately promoting trade facilitation. The training, based on the WCO's newly developed Advanced PCA Training Package, emphasized practical techniques and was supported by various funding sources. It's a crucial step in strengthening Pakistan's customs administration and contributing to a more efficient and compliant trade environment.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Gambia Revenue Authority Boosts Staff Training with WACAM Partnership

Gambia Revenue Authority Boosts Staff Training with WACAM Partnership

The World Customs Organization (WCO), through the West Africa Customs Administration Modernization Project, supported the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) in implementing competency-based human resource management modernization. The expert team assisted the GRA in refining key tools such as the competency directory and job directory, laying the foundation for subsequent communication, change management, and system implementation. This initiative aims to improve tax collection efficiency and promote national economic development.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Lesotho Boosts Trade with Enhanced Customs Audits

Lesotho Boosts Trade with Enhanced Customs Audits

A high-level virtual workshop on Post-Clearance Audit was successfully conducted for the Lesotho Revenue Authority under the joint framework of HMRC, WCO, and UNCTAD. The workshop aimed to support developing countries in effectively implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. It enhanced the professional skills of Lesotho Revenue Authority officials and fostered cooperation between customs and businesses, contributing to Lesotho's economic development. The training focused on modern PCA techniques and risk management strategies to optimize revenue collection and improve trade compliance.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Mongolia Boosts Customs Efficiency Via HS Rules Advance Rulings

Mongolia Boosts Customs Efficiency Via HS Rules Advance Rulings

With the support of the World Customs Organization, Mongolia successfully hosted a national workshop on the HS Nomenclature and Advance Rulings, aimed at enhancing the commodity classification skills of customs officials and addressing the increasingly complex challenges of international trade. Through international cooperation and experience exchange, Mongolian Customs is committed to improving efficiency, promoting trade facilitation, and contributing to national budget revenue. The workshop emphasized practical application and knowledge sharing to strengthen customs operations.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO and JICA Boost Customs Risk Management in Central Asia Caucasus

WCO and JICA Boost Customs Risk Management in Central Asia Caucasus

The WCO and JICA are conducting a Customs Risk Management Master Trainer Program (MTP) in the Central Asia and Caucasus region to enhance regional self-training capabilities. The second phase of the activity was held in Kazakhstan, focusing on lecturing skills and experience sharing. This initiative aims to strengthen customs risk management practices and promote sustainable training expertise within the region.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

Namibia Boosts Customs Skills to Improve Tax Revenue

With the support of the EU-WCO Harmonized System Programme for Africa, the Namibian Revenue Agency (NamRA) organized a national commodity classification workshop. This initiative aims to enhance the commodity classification skills of customs officers, address issues such as incorrect classification and false declarations, and close tax loopholes. By combining online learning with offline workshops, the program strengthens both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, building a comprehensive support system. This contributes to customs modernization, ultimately promoting economic prosperity in Namibia.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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