Philippines Boosts IP Protection in Customs Via WCO Workshop

Philippines Boosts IP Protection in Customs Via WCO Workshop

The World Customs Organization (WCO) held an online workshop for Philippine Customs to enhance its capacity to combat counterfeit and pirated goods. The workshop focused on customs challenges under the pandemic, WCO's intellectual property protection tools, and counterfeit goods identification. Rights holders were invited to provide training. The workshop significantly improved the intellectual property protection awareness and counterfeit goods identification skills of Philippine Customs officials, promoting cooperation between customs and rights holders. This initiative aims to strengthen IP enforcement and protect legitimate trade in the Philippines.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Crossborder Ecommerce Faces New Customs Valuation Challenges

Crossborder Ecommerce Faces New Customs Valuation Challenges

The World Customs Organization released Advisory Opinion 4.19, clarifying how to handle royalties that include both patent rights for imported raw materials and trademark rights for the final product in customs valuation. This opinion aims to enhance valuation certainty, reduce trade friction, and assist businesses in tax planning. It offers valuable guidance for cross-border e-commerce and import-export enterprises, particularly regarding the treatment of royalties in determining customs value. The advisory opinion provides a framework for consistently applying valuation principles to complex licensing agreements.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Walmart Tops Fortune 500 As Logistics Firms Gain Momentum

Walmart Tops Fortune 500 As Logistics Firms Gain Momentum

The Fortune 500 list has been released, with Walmart topping the rankings again, followed by Amazon. Notably, several cross-border logistics companies, including UPS, FedEx, and C.H. Robinson, are also featured, highlighting the significance and growth potential of the cross-border logistics industry in global trade. These companies play a crucial role in connecting global markets by providing efficient logistics solutions. Their presence on the list underscores the increasing importance of seamless and reliable logistics in facilitating international commerce and supporting the global economy.

01/05/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Crossborder Ecommerce Faces Customs Valuation Challenges

Crossborder Ecommerce Faces Customs Valuation Challenges

The World Customs Organization issued Advisory Opinion 23.1, clarifying that low-price transactions of flash sale goods can be used as a basis for customs valuation, provided they comply with the Valuation Agreement and the transaction is genuine and valid. This opinion guides cross-border e-commerce enterprises in compliant declaration, reduces trade risks, and provides customs authorities with scientific valuation methods, promoting the healthy development of cross-border e-commerce. It emphasizes adherence to existing valuation principles while acknowledging the unique characteristics of flash sales.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
EMCCA Customs College Overhauls Strategy with WCO Backing

EMCCA Customs College Overhauls Strategy with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) assisted the Inter-State School for Customs of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (ISSC-CEMAC) in reshaping its development strategy, aiming to modernize its training system through capacity building. The WCO's diagnostic assessment provided recommendations for ISSC improvements, and a new development strategy was jointly formulated to enhance the professional competence of regional customs officers and promote trade facilitation. The focus is on strengthening the ISSC's role as a key training hub for customs administrations in the CEMAC region.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
VAT Zerorating Boosts International Aviation Connectivity

VAT Zerorating Boosts International Aviation Connectivity

The unique nature of international air transport clashes with traditional tax jurisdictions. This paper argues for the necessity of implementing a zero-rating VAT refund mechanism for international aviation. It emphasizes that this mechanism can reduce operational costs, promote international travel and trade, enhance competitiveness, and ensure fairness. ICAO resolutions provide guidance for governments to develop relevant policies, contributing to the construction of an interconnected global aviation network. This approach helps to streamline processes and foster a more efficient and equitable system for international air travel.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
Read More
Guide to Avoiding Trucking Dry Run Fees

Guide to Avoiding Trucking Dry Run Fees

This article delves into the issue of “deadhead fees” in trucking, detailing the reasons for their occurrence and their impact on international trade. It offers practical strategies for avoiding deadhead fees, including advance planning, accurate information provision, selection of reliable carriers, and real-time cargo tracking. Furthermore, it outlines how to properly handle deadhead fees, helping businesses effectively control logistics costs and enhance competitiveness. By understanding and mitigating deadhead fees, companies can optimize their supply chains and improve overall profitability within the freight transportation sector.

01/05/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
Read More
Transloading Eases Crossborder Bottlenecks for Nearshoring

Transloading Eases Crossborder Bottlenecks for Nearshoring

The rise of nearshoring is creating bottlenecks in US-Mexico cross-border transportation. Traditional methods are struggling to keep up, leading to the emergence of transloading and shared distribution models. Transloading at the border and leveraging US domestic capacity helps businesses mitigate regulatory risks and enhance control. Shared distribution networks reduce costs and improve efficiency. Companies should promptly adopt these strategies to build more resilient cross-border supply chains. This adaptation is crucial to maintaining competitiveness in the evolving landscape of nearshoring and international trade.

01/06/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More
Shopee Crossborder Ecommerce Profitability and Market Guide

Shopee Crossborder Ecommerce Profitability and Market Guide

This article delves into the operational model and profit logic of cross-border e-commerce platform Shopee, addressing common questions for beginners. It emphasizes that cross-border e-commerce is a new trade model that profits from information asymmetry and exchange rate differences. The analysis covers opportunities and challenges for newcomers entering Shopee, along with the platform's market potential. The conclusion is that cross-border e-commerce is an industry worthy of long-term investment, offering significant potential for growth and profitability despite the initial hurdles.

01/06/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
Read More
USMCA Enforcement Urged to Bolster North American Power Supply

USMCA Enforcement Urged to Bolster North American Power Supply

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is urging stronger enforcement of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to address surging electricity demand and increased global competition. NEMA emphasizes USMCA's crucial role in securing North American electricity supply chains and promoting U.S. manufacturing. They are urging the USTR to swiftly complete the review and update of USMCA, eliminating trade barriers and combating fraudulent practices. Strengthening USMCA is vital for ensuring a level playing field and fostering economic growth within the region's electrical manufacturing sector.

01/08/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
Read More