The Strategic Trade Control Enforcement Implementation Guide has been the backbone of the STCE programme since its inception in 2016. The latest update of the Guide is currently available in English, and it contains, among other things, updated HS codes of strategic commodities, as well as new Annexes on Post Control Audit and Investigations. Other language versions will follow in 2024.
The WCO is pleased to launch an updated edition of its Gender Equality Organizational Assessment Tool (GEOAT). Originally launched in 2014, this self-assessment tool aims at assisting Customs and Revenue Administrations in assessing their policies and practices both internally (related to, for instance, human resource management) and externally (in their border operations and stakeholder relations) to further incorporate gender equality and diversity on a cross-cutting basis within their administrations.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has published a comprehensive study detailing the digitalization of the Certificate of Origin (CO). This Study focuses on the practices of WCO Members in origin certification, emphasizing the digital transformation of the origin-related process. It aims to highlight both the challenges and success factors encountered by Members in this transition.
17th October 2023, By Dilyana Gencheva, Bulgarian Customs
WCO News 102 – Issue 3 / 2023 > Dossier: Focus on the port environment
Bulgaria has been a fully-fledged Member State of the European Union (EU) since 1 January 2007 and exerts controls over one of the external maritime borders of the EU with the Black Sea, in accordance with EU Customs policies. The number of inbound and outbound container units going through its largest maritime port, the Port of Varna, has grown steadily over the past 10 years (see Figure 1) but represents a minor part of the flows of goods entering or leaving the European Union through its maritime borders. Most goods entering Bulgaria by sea are released for internal circulation or are in transit to neighbouring EU countries. Transboundary movements to non-EU countries and transshipment operations are an exception.
By Ahmed Mahboob Musabih, Director General, Dubai Customs
Transforming trade: how Dubai Customs is harnessing AI for enhanced trade facilitation and border control (WCO News 102 – Issue 3 / 2023 > Panorama)
The World Customs Organization with the support of the European Union under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme has developed a Practical Guide to assist Customs Administrations and economic operators with the practical implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Annex 2 on Rules of Origin of the Protocol on Trade and its relevant appendices.
РУССКИЙ In a remarkable display of global collaboration and forward-thinking discourse, the 3rd WCO Global Origin Conference commenced its proceedings in Santiago, Chile on 8 November 2023, centred around the theme “Building Trust in the Origin Environment.” This conference, hosted…
The G7 Trade Ministers issued a Statement at a meeting in Osaka-Sakai on 29 October 2023, outlining various policies necessitating actions by Customs administrations. These areas include enhancing supply chain resilience, regulating e-commerce, and addressing the interplay between trade and environmental/climate change issues. The statement is available here.
The 241st/242nd Sessions of the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) took place in Brussels from 24 to 26 October 2023. The event gathered more than 300 participants attending in person and online, comprising a wide range of professionals from Member administrations, international organizations, academia, and the private sector. The blend of perspectives and experiences added depth and richness to the discussions. Over the years, this committee has played a pivotal role in promoting trade facilitation instruments and tools, and addressing contemporary challenges that Customs are facing.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) released the Guidelines on Cooperation between Customs and Port Authorities on the occasion of the IAPH 2023 World Ports Conference which opened today 31 October in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
