WCO Boosts East and Southern Africa Customs for Trade Growth

WCO Boosts East and Southern Africa Customs for Trade Growth

The 36th WCO ESA Regional Steering Group Meeting focused on customs modernization, emphasizing capacity building, regional cooperation, and strategic guidance. The ROCB's report highlighted its contributions to capacity building and technical assistance. The WCO Secretariat presented strategic plans and emerging issues. Businesses should focus on policies, strengthen compliance, participate in capacity building initiatives, communicate with customs authorities, and embrace technological innovation to seize opportunities and achieve business growth. This meeting underscored the importance of collaborative efforts and strategic alignment for effective trade facilitation in the region.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Americas Caribbean Customs Unite to Strengthen Supply Chains

Americas Caribbean Customs Unite to Strengthen Supply Chains

The Meeting of Directors General of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean focused on the theme of "Recovery, Innovation, and Resilience." Discussions centered on regional priorities and best practices, emphasizing the crucial role of customs in trade facilitation, border security, and sustainable supply chains. Participants shared experiences in innovative technology applications, customs modernization, and personnel skills enhancement. The meeting aimed to strengthen regional cooperation, promote economic recovery, and foster development within the region. The focus was on building stronger, more resilient economies through enhanced customs collaboration.

01/26/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Ghana Customs Officials Attend WCO Leadership Workshop

Ghana Customs Officials Attend WCO Leadership Workshop

The WCO collaborated with the Ghana Revenue Authority to conduct a leadership workshop aimed at enhancing customs management capabilities and promoting modernization. This initiative supports the ongoing efforts to strengthen customs operations in Ghana. The World Bank provides funding to support customs capacity building in Africa, contributing to improved trade facilitation and revenue collection. The workshop focused on developing leadership skills among customs officials, enabling them to effectively manage teams and implement modern customs practices. The ultimate goal is to create a more efficient and effective customs administration in Ghana.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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Ecuador Customs Lab Upgraded With WCO Support

Ecuador Customs Lab Upgraded With WCO Support

The World Customs Organization held a workshop in Ecuador to support the modernization of its customs laboratory and enhance its capabilities in commodity classification, tax collection, and combating smuggling. The meeting focused on topics such as the application of the Harmonized System, analytical methodologies, database applications, and green customs. The workshop highlighted the crucial role of a modern customs laboratory in improving customs clearance efficiency, increasing tax revenue, protecting the environment, and promoting international trade. It underscored the importance of investing in laboratory infrastructure and training for sustainable development.

12/30/2025 Customs Knowledge
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WCO Marks 20 Years of Boosting Asiapacific Customs Capacity

WCO Marks 20 Years of Boosting Asiapacific Customs Capacity

The WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building Asia Pacific (ROCB A/P) celebrates its 20th anniversary. It has significantly enhanced customs capacity in the region and promoted trade facilitation. Moving forward, the ROCB A/P will continue to strengthen cooperation with member administrations and partners. Its focus remains on delivering effective capacity building programs and fostering regional integration to support sustainable economic growth and security within the Asia-Pacific region. The anniversary marks a significant milestone in the ROCB A/P's commitment to advancing customs modernization and regional collaboration.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Philippine Customs Boosts Trade Reforms with WCO Backing

Philippine Customs Boosts Trade Reforms with WCO Backing

The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a leadership workshop for senior officials of the Philippine Customs, aiming to enhance strategic alignment, trust-building, and leadership skills. The workshop focused on challenges such as cross-departmental collaboration, decision-making processes, and strategic thinking. Initiatives like Time Release Study (TRS) were highlighted as tools for customs modernization and promoting trade facilitation reforms. The program sought to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to drive positive change within the Philippine Customs administration and contribute to improved efficiency and effectiveness.

01/22/2026 Customs Knowledge
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World Customs Organization Expands Performance Measurement Initiative

World Customs Organization Expands Performance Measurement Initiative

The World Customs Organization (WCO) launched the second round of its Performance Measurement Mechanism (PMM), encouraging members to enhance customs effectiveness through data self-assessment. The meeting highlighted the PMM's crucial role in capacity building, fostering cooperation, and driving institutional modernization. All members were invited to actively participate in the initiative. This round aims to further improve customs operations globally by leveraging data-driven insights and promoting best practices among member administrations. The PMM serves as a valuable tool for identifying areas for improvement and measuring progress towards achieving trade facilitation goals.

01/26/2026 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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WCO Launches Leadership Program for Palestinian Customs Officers

WCO Launches Leadership Program for Palestinian Customs Officers

The WCO conducted a leadership workshop for Palestinian Customs, aiming to enhance the skills of middle and senior managers and support customs modernization. The workshop received positive feedback from participants. The training focused on improving leadership capabilities within the customs administration to facilitate more effective operations and contribute to the overall modernization efforts of Palestinian Customs. This initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of customs procedures in Palestine.

01/05/2026 Customs Knowledge
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Niger Customs Upgrades HR Systems to Boost Border Efficiency

Niger Customs Upgrades HR Systems to Boost Border Efficiency

With the support of the WCO-WACAM project, Niger Customs launched a human resource management modernization project. This initiative aims to raise awareness and garner broad support for HR modernization both within and outside the customs administration through change management and communication activities. By diagnosing challenges, building a competency framework, and conducting pilot programs, Niger Customs is committed to building an efficient, professional, and dynamic workforce. This workforce will contribute to the country's economic development and ensure its security.

01/07/2026 Customs Knowledge
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