The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.
Today, the WCO represents 186 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. The WCO develops international standards, fosters cooperation and builds capacity to facilitate legitimate trade, to secure a fair revenue collection and to protect society, providing leadership, guidance and support to Customs administrations.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
- How does WCO’s work and activities specifically touch upon e-commerce and the digital economy?
The importance of technology is undisputed in today’s world and could still be further explored by the WCO at many levels. Considering the diversity of its membership, the Organization should focus on reducing the digital gap between Members and initiating concrete steps towards the full digitalization of procedures, the use of data analytics and the exchange of information in a dematerialized way.
WCO addresses the significant needs in this area through three main aspects:
- The provision of digital solutions to expand on trade facilitation, improve risks management and collect revenue in a more efficient way.
- The implementation of a dedicated data strategy within the entire Organization, to take the necessary steps towards the appropriate use of data collected by Customs, through data processing, analysis and support to decision-making.
- The exploration of potential ways of further promoting the exchange of information between administrations, bearing in mind the different legislation and the sensitivity of the information.
- MSMEs given platform to share their realities and experiences with Customs community.
- Agreed to advance the development of a centralized WCO repository of Advance Cargo Information requirements with the aim of simplifying international trade.
- Examined different initiatives to strengthen and facilitate trade through the use of technology and digitalization.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) held the 33rd Meeting of its SAFE Working Group (SWG) from 21 to 23 October 2026, marking an important milestone with the launch of the first-ever annual
