Webinar: Customs-to-Customs Data Exchange on the Way to Cross-Border Paperless Trade
- OVERVIEW
The digitalization of customs administrations plays a crucial role in advancing cross-border paperless trade. However, a key enabler of further progress is the establishment of seamless customs-to-customs data exchange. Through enhanced data-sharing arrangements, customs authorities gain the ability to verify the accuracy and reliability of trade data without requesting traders many paper documents. This is particularly relevant in the context of digital transit corridors, where real-time customs data exchange allows for a smoother flow of goods across borders without unnecessary delays or repeated physical inspections.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has developed multiple initiatives to enhance Customs-to-Customs data exchange, including the WCO Data Model, the Globally Networked Customs (GNC) among others. These initiatives provide standardized structures, legal frameworks, and technical guidance for cross-border data sharing, reducing redundancies and improving risk management.
This webinar will bring together experts from international organizations and customs administrations to discuss best practices, regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and the future of cross-border Customs-to-Customs exchange. It will also discuss the integration of Single-Window environments to support data exchanges between Customs and other Cross-Border Regulatory Agencies.
Objectives
Exploring best practices in cross-border customs data exchange.
Exploring the suite of WCO tools and initiatives that support Customs-to-Customs data exchange, including standards, legal instruments, and technical guidance.
Understanding legal and regulatory aspects: reviewing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), agreements, and governance mechanisms for information sharing.
Discussing technical specifications: protocols, data formats, and real-time vs. batch data exchanges.
Building trust in data exchange: verification mechanisms and how customs authorities utilize shared data.
Showcasing international case studies and lessons learned.
Target Audience
- Customs and border agencies
- International organizations
- Trade facilitation and logistics professionals
- Technology solution providers for customs digitalization
- Single Window operators and policymakers
- Experts in regulatory compliance and interagency data exchange
To visit the webinar series on accelerating cross-border paperless trade facilitation, please CLICK.
- DOCUMENTS
Tentative Programme
PDF- SPEAKERS - Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Yann DuvalChief, Trade Policy and Facilitation Section, ESCAP
Dr. Yann Duval is currently Chief of Trade Policy and Facilitation at ESCAP, the regional branch of the United Nations Secretariat for Asia and the Pacific. Over the past 20 years at UN ESCAP, Mr. Duval has conducted research and delivered technical assistance and advisory services on trade policy and facilitation throughout Asia and the Pacific, including on the WTO Agreements. He spearheaded the development of the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade (ARTNeT), as well as the creation of the ESCAP-World Bank Trade Cost Database and the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation.
His trade policy research and advocacy work has emphasized the importance of mainstreaming sustainable development objectives into trade policy and facilitation. He has led the preparation of UN ESCAP flagship reports on trade and investment in collaboration with UNCTAD and UNEP, examining the role of non-tariff measures in sustainable development as well as how to promote climate-smart trade and investment. During the COVID-19 crisis, he coordinated a UN-wide initiative to develop model provisions in trade agreements for trade in time of crisis, including in cooperation with WTO and civil society organizations. His current work focuses on leveraging digital trade for sustainable development and the design of sustainable development provisions in regional trade agreements.
Mr. Duval was instrumental in the development and negotiation of the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, a UN treaty which entered into force in 2021. He has overseen readiness assessments for cross-border paperless trade in over a dozen countries and co-led the preparation of the WTO/ESCAP/UNCITRAL Cross-Border Paperless Trade Toolkit (2022) as well as the UN online course on Next-Generation Trade Facilitation.
He has actively promoted the use of advanced information and communication technologies for research and building capacity in policy making, including through the launch of the online Trade Intelligence and Negotiation Adviser (TINA), a tool aimed at supporting developing countries in preparing for trade negotiations.
Prior to joining the UN, He held faculty positions and taught economics and management at the Asian Institute of Technology and Washington State University, USA. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University and an engineering degree from PURPAN Toulouse, France.
Mr. Brendan O'HearnActing Director of the Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, World Customs Organization (WCO)
Mr. O’Hearn serves as the Acting Director of the Compliance and Facilitation Directorate at the World Customs Organization (WCO). In this role he directs the development, implementation and maintenance of international treaties, conventions, standards, guidelines and other trade facilitation, compliance and Customs procedure tools. His work includes advancing instruments, tools an a broad portfolio of donor funded projects that support effective and efficient border controls, ensure fair and accurate revenue collection, and safeguard society by preventing and combating illicit and criminal activities. Mr. O’Hearn provides counsel to the Deputy Secretary General and Secretary General on matters relating to the Directorate.
From July 2013 to November 2019, Mr. O’Hearn served as both the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Attaché and Department of Homeland Security Attaché in Tokyo, Japan. In these positions, he managed a broad range Homeland Security, Customs and Immigration issues. He was also responsible for providing advice and counsel to U.S. Ambassadors to Japan Caroline Kennedy and William Hagerty, as well as numerous Japanese lawmakers, on Homeland Security issues.
Before his posting in Japan, Mr. O’Hearn served as the Director of International Organizations and Agreements within the Office of International Affairs at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In this position he was responsible for international policy development for CBP. Mr. O’Hearn directed CBP’s engagement in multilateral organizations (such as the World Customs Organization, the World Trade Organization, APEC, INTERPOL and the G-7 etc.) and managed the negotiation of CBP’s international cooperation and information sharing instruments.
Mr. O’Hearn started his public service career with the U.S. Customs Service in 1995 as an Import Specialist at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. He graduated from the School of International Studies at the University of the Pacific in California, did graduate work in Education at Dowling College in New York and is a graduate of the Senior Executive Fellows Program at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in Massachusetts.
- SPEAKERS - Keynote Speech
Mr. Karl FlöhrTechnical Attaché in the Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, World Customs Organization (WCO)
Karl Flöhr is a Technical Attaché in the Compliance and Facilitation Directorate of the World Customs Organization (WCO). He is mainly involved in Data and Technology topics such as Digital Customs, WCO Data Model, Single Window and modernization of Customs clearance of postal items.
Since 2018, Karl has been an active member of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model Projects Team (DMPT), being part of the development team for the new version of the WCO Data Model, version 4.0, as an updated and improved tool for Customs Cooperation in the area of information exchange, sharing, and management.
Prior to joining WCO Karl Flöhr held a position as Senior Adviser with the Swedish Customs. Karl played an important role in the Swedish Customs' digital transformation and implementation of the Electronic Customs Programme. In his role as Senior Adviser, Karl was responsible for policy development in the areas of digitalization and modernization of Swedish Customs and the implementation of the EU Customs Code. He previously held roles as a Business Analyst and Communication Officer, developing, implementing, and communicating new digital customs processes and strategies to both internal and external stakeholders.
With 16 years of experience as a business developer from both the private and public sectors, Karl brings in-depth knowledge of logistics, customs processes and procedures, and information management related to supply chain management. He has also been the Team Leader for an exploratory EU Expert Team on innovation and new ways of developing Customs IT Systems, involving 17 EU Member States.
- SPEAKERS - Moderator
Mr. Aleksei BondarenkoInternational Consultant, ESCAP
Aleksei Bondarenko is a Trade Facilitation Expert, Writer, Speaker, and former UN/CEFACT Vice-Chair with a PhD in Economics and a robust professional background. With over 14 years of experience, Aleksei has dedicated his career to streamlining trade procedures and enhancing digital trade across Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Currently serving as a Consultant at the United Nations ESCAP, Aleksei is focused on advancing cross-border paperless trade.
As an international consultant, Aleksei participated in several hands-on projects and capacity-building programs at ITC, GIZ, UNECE, and the World Bank.
He has authored several articles and studies on instruments and tools for trade facilitation and Single Window development.
Fluent in both English and Russian, Aleksei is passionate about fostering international collaborations and revolutionizing trade facilitation to create a more interconnected and seamless global trade environment.
- SPEAKERS - Panel Discussion
Mr. William SlusherTechnical Architect, United States Customs and Border Protection
William “Randy” Slusher is a seasoned expert in international trade software, currently serving at the Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security. For over 17 years, he has played a pivotal role in designing and implementing the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the U.S. government’s Single Window system fostering greater transparency, efficiency, and security in international trade operations.
With 29 years of experience spanning both the private and public sectors, William brings a deep expertise in software development, consulting, and international trade. He has established strong partnerships with the International Trade Community, contributing to the design, testing, and deployment of critical systems.
Since 2015, William has been an active member of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Data Model Projects Team (DMPT) and has served as the Product Manager for the WCO Data Model (DM) since April 2020. In this role, he has led efforts to enhance Version 4 of the DM, focusing on making it more user-friendly and efficient for global implementation.
Mr. Zahouani SaadaouiHead of Sector, Electronic Customs, DG Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD), European Commission
Zahouani is a European electronic systems management expert, who has worked in the private sector for about a decade as an IT developer and solution architect before joining the European Commission DG TAXUD IT to work as the development manager for the Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS). For the last 7 years, Zahouani has worked on digital customs initiatives for trade facilitation at DG TAXUD leading a sector with business activities on the Registered Exporters System (REX) which entered into operations on 1st January 2017, the Classification system (CLASS) and the evolution of the Surveillance system. With his team, he now focuses on the legal, policy and business developments of the EU Single Window environment for customs and on the maintenance of the Multi-Annual Strategic Plan for Customs electronic systems (MASP-C). He is also a member of the Blockchain@TAXUD team and is focusing more specifically on customs use cases.
Mr. Mikael GustafssonSenior Customs Officer, Finnish Customs
Mikael Gustafsson is a Senior Customs Officer working for the ICT department in Finnish Customs. Production and maintenance of national message implementing guidelines based on national and international standards have been my responsibility for the past 17 years.
Ms. Tsendsuren DavaaSenior Customs Officer, Customs General Administration of Mongolia
Dr. Tsendsuren Davaa is the Head of the Risk management division at the Customs General Administration of Mongolia and a Member of the Trade Facilitation Committee of Mongolia. She has over 30 years of experience in both practical and academic research related to customs and trade facilitation.
Dr. Tsendsuren began her career as a Customs examination officer and has since held key leadership positions, including Team Leader, Senior Officer, and Deputy Director of the department over the past 15 years.
She holds a Master's degree in Public Finance from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), Japan, and earned her Ph.D. in Business Administration from the National University of Mongolia.
Her customs career development took advantage of the capacity building programme which the WCO developed for its Member Customs administrations.
Over the years, Dr. Tsendsuren has actively participated in WCO, WTO, UNESCAP, UNCTAD, and CAREC conferences, workshops, and seminars, serving as a moderator, speaker, and facilitator on topics such as trade facilitation, risk management, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programme, E_commerce and customs modernization. In 2017, she was accredited as a WCO Customs Technical and Operational Advisor on Risk Management and since then, she has been delivered a number of missions on behalf of the WCO.
To date, Dr. Tsendsuren has published 33 research papers and articles at both national and international levels. Her academic and professional interests include trade facilitation, risk management, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, customs valuation, customs modernization, and coordinated border management.
In addition to her professional duties, she serves as a Visiting Professor at the National University of Mongolia and Citi University of Mongolia, contributing to the development of the next generation of customs and trade professionals.
Most recently, Dr. Tsendsuren was appointed as the Head of the Customs Integrity Sub-Committee, further strengthening her role in promoting transparency and integrity in customs operations.
For more information, please contact
Trade, Investment and Innovation Division +66 2 288-1234 [email protected]