World Customs Organization (WCO)
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Introduction | – Establishment: The WCO, originally founded as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) in 1952, adopted its current name in 1994. – Purpose: To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of customs administrations worldwide, facilitating legitimate trade, ensuring security, and promoting international cooperation. – Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium. |
| Objectives | – Develop International Standards: Formulate and promote the implementation of customs standards to harmonize and simplify customs procedures globally. – Facilitate Trade: Enhance the efficiency of customs operations to support legitimate international trade. – Ensure Security and Compliance: Combat illicit trade and ensure compliance with customs laws and regulations. – Capacity Building: Provide technical assistance and training to member administrations to strengthen their capabilities. |
| Members as of December 2024 | – Total Members: 186 countries, representing over 98% of global trade. – Regional Distribution: Members are divided into six regions: Americas and Caribbean, Asia Pacific, Europe, East and Southern Africa, West and Central Africa, and North of Africa, Near and Middle East. |
| All Reports/Indices | – Annual Reports: Summarize the WCO’s mission, activities, and data on member administrations. – Illicit Trade Report: Provides comprehensive analysis of cross-border illicit trade, highlighting trends and enforcement efforts. – WCO News Magazine: A periodic publication offering insights into customs-related developments and WCO activities. |
| Instruments | – Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC): A blueprint for modern and efficient customs procedures. – Harmonized System (HS): An international nomenclature for the classification of goods. – SAFE Framework of Standards: Aims to secure and facilitate global trade. – Customs Enforcement Network (CEN): A tool for collecting and analyzing data on customs offenses. – Time Release Study (TRS): Measures the efficiency of customs procedures. – Data Model: Standardizes data requirements for customs and other regulatory processes. – Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program: Certifies compliant and trustworthy economic operators. – Risk Management Compendium: Provides guidelines on implementing risk management in customs operations. – Single Window Compendium: Assists in establishing a single window environment for trade facilitation. – WCO Framework of Standards on Cross-Border E-Commerce: Addresses challenges and opportunities in e-commerce. |
| Structure | – Council: The supreme decision-making body, comprising all member administrations. – Policy Commission: Advises on strategic directions and policies. – Secretariat: Led by the Secretary General, it manages daily operations. – Committees: Specialized committees focus on areas like the Harmonized System, enforcement, and facilitation. |
| Subsidiary Organs | – Technical Committees: Develop and maintain WCO instruments and tools. – Regional Offices for Capacity Building (ROCBs): Support capacity-building initiatives in respective regions. – Regional Training Centers (RTCs): Provide training and development programs for customs officials. |
| Committees | – Harmonized System Committee: Oversees the maintenance and updates of the HS. – Enforcement Committee: Focuses on combating customs offenses and enhancing enforcement strategies. – Permanent Technical Committee: Deals with trade facilitation and procedural issues. – Technical Committee on Customs Valuation: Provides guidance on customs valuation matters. – Technical Committee on Rules of Origin: Addresses issues related to the determination of the origin of goods. |
| All Initiatives | – BACUDA Project: Aims to build capacity in data analytics among WCO members. – e-Learning Program: Offers online training modules for customs professionals. – Customs Laboratory Programme: Enhances the technical capabilities of customs laboratories. – Mercator Programme: Assists members in implementing the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement. – Colibri Project: Focuses on monitoring and controlling general aviation to combat illicit trade. – Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme: Supports members in strengthening integrity and combating corruption within customs administrations. – Security Programme: Enhances the role of customs in combating terrorism and related security threats. – Environment Programme: Addresses environmental issues, including the illegal trade in wildlife and hazardous materials. – Revenue Programme: Focuses on improving revenue collection and compliance. – Gender Equality and Diversity Programme: Promotes gender equality and diversity within customs administrations. |
