Global Customs Intensifies Crackdown on Fake COVID Supplies in Southeast Asia

Global Customs Intensifies Crackdown on Fake COVID Supplies in Southeast Asia

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is strengthening cooperation with ASEAN to combat cross-border smuggling of counterfeit and substandard COVID-19 supplies. This collaboration aims to enhance customs control capabilities, strengthen intelligence sharing, and leverage technology to build a new framework for global customs cooperation. The initiative seeks to safeguard global health security by preventing the proliferation of illicit medical products and ensuring the integrity of supply chains. This partnership underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing transnational threats and protecting public health.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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East Africa Boosts Antismuggling Efforts with WCO JICA Support

East Africa Boosts Antismuggling Efforts with WCO JICA Support

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) jointly held a workshop in Uganda to enhance customs intelligence analysis capabilities and strengthen anti-smuggling efforts in East Africa. Customs officials from various East African countries collaborated to develop post-seizure analysis training materials. Experts from the WCO and Japan Customs provided guidance to help East African customs improve their intelligence-driven risk management and combat smuggling crimes. The workshop aimed to build capacity and foster regional cooperation in tackling cross-border illicit trade.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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United Group Hunan University Partner on Smart Logistics Training

United Group Hunan University Partner on Smart Logistics Training

Lianyu Group and Hunan International Economics University are jointly building a university-enterprise cooperation base to create a new model for smart logistics talent cultivation. This will be achieved through proactive talent development, promotion of industry-academia integration, and construction of talent pipelines. The two parties will engage in in-depth cooperation focusing on "enterprise entering the classroom and students entering projects," realizing resource sharing and jointly building a highland for smart logistics talent. The goal is to deliver high-quality talents to the industry.

01/15/2026 Logistics
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Global Customs Groups Boost Collaboration at Annual Meeting

Global Customs Groups Boost Collaboration at Annual Meeting

The Customs Representatives Association's online annual meeting celebrated its reconstruction. The Secretary-General of the World Customs Organization congratulated the association and emphasized the importance of cooperation. The meeting adopted measures to optimize the organization, improve services, and expand international cooperation. These efforts aim to strengthen the association's role in facilitating international trade and promoting effective customs practices worldwide. The focus was on building a more robust and responsive organization to meet the evolving challenges of the global trade landscape and foster stronger partnerships among customs administrations.

01/19/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Central American Customs Boost Global Trade with New Partnerships

Central American Customs Boost Global Trade with New Partnerships

The Heads of Customs Administrations of the Americas and the Caribbean Conference was held in Guatemala, focusing on global connectivity, risk management, and customs-business cooperation. The importance of the Revised Kyoto Convention was emphasized. Guatemala was elected as the new WCO Regional Vice-Chair. The conference promoted regional customs cooperation and pointed the way for global trade facilitation. It addressed key challenges and opportunities in the region, aiming to enhance efficiency and security in international trade flows. The discussions highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to streamline customs procedures.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Chief Praises Uzbekistans Growing Trade Prospects

WCO Chief Praises Uzbekistans Growing Trade Prospects

In 2010, the WCO Secretary-General visited Uzbekistan, meeting with the President to focus on regional customs cooperation and economic development. As a double-landlocked country, Uzbekistan faces unique challenges but remains committed to trade liberalization, emphasizing the importance of the private sector and education. The WCO pledged its support, highlighting the role of customs in facilitating trade. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to jointly promote regional economic development. The visit underscored the importance of customs cooperation in fostering economic growth in Central Asia.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Workshop Enhances Panama Customs Valuation Practices

WCO Workshop Enhances Panama Customs Valuation Practices

With the support of the China Customs Cooperation Fund, the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a virtual workshop on customs valuation for Panama Customs, aiming to enhance its capacity to implement the WTO Agreement on Customs Valuation. The workshop covered key concepts, latest developments, and post-clearance audit applications of the Agreement. Through a combination of theory and practice, it improved participants' skills in document review, customs clearance, and risk management. The WCO will continue to deepen cooperation to support global customs capacity building and promote trade prosperity.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Caribbean Customs Postal Services Strengthen Ecommerce Ties

Caribbean Customs Postal Services Strengthen Ecommerce Ties

A Caribbean Customs-Postal Cooperation Workshop was held in Guyana, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of e-commerce. The workshop emphasized the importance of electronic data interchange (EDI) and security measures to facilitate cross-border trade. Participants aimed to establish a regional cooperation framework to address the evolving needs of the e-commerce landscape within the Caribbean. The discussions highlighted the need for strengthened collaboration between customs and postal services to ensure efficient and secure handling of e-commerce shipments and to foster sustainable e-commerce development in the region.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO and IPPC Boost Global Trade with Stricter Plant Health Rules

WCO and IPPC Boost Global Trade with Stricter Plant Health Rules

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) signed a cooperation agreement to promote the safety and efficiency of international trade in plants and plant products. The cooperation will focus on five key areas: electronic data exchange, e-commerce, sea containers, single windows, and communication and promotion. The aim is to build a safer and more efficient plant trade system, inject new vitality into global trade, and build a global community of plant health. This partnership will contribute to smoother and more secure international trade flows.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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WCO South Korea Aid Yemens Customs Reform Amid Crisis

WCO South Korea Aid Yemens Customs Reform Amid Crisis

With funding from the Korea Customs Cooperation Fund (CCF), the World Customs Organization (WCO) held a high-level seminar in Amman, Jordan, to assist Yemen Customs in transitioning from crisis response to recovery. The seminar focused on key issues such as capacity building and strategic planning. The WCO provided technical assistance and resource coordination, while Korea provided financial support. The Head of Yemen Customs expressed gratitude to the WCO and pledged to enhance trade security and competitiveness to achieve national recovery. This initiative highlights the importance of international cooperation in supporting fragile states.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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