WCO publishes new guide to the ECCAS Rules of Origin
The WCO released the “Guide to the ECCAS Rules of Origin” which aims to assist Customs administrations and economic operators with the practical implementation of the revised rules adopted in October 2024 by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). WCO
2026 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition kicks off in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
The 2026 WCO Technology Conference and Exhibition was officially opened today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with participants gathering across three days to put the spotlight on smart solutions and technological innovations, foster dialogue and cooperation. A key objective is to enhance Customs’ agility to deliver practical, scalable solutions that will have a real and positive impact on Customs operations and lead to more resilient and secure supply chains. The Conference was officially opened by WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, who highlighted the importance of agility, trusted partnerships and modern standards in safeguarding Customs’ capacity to secure borders, facilitating legitimate trade and protecting society. Keynote speeches from His Excellency Ali Mohammed Hammad Al Shamsi – Chairman of the Federal Authority of Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, United Arab Emirates and His Excellency Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahij Al Falasi, Director General of Customs and Port Security were heard by a packed audience. WCO
HS 2028 amends classification of dietary supplements to reduce litigation risks and facilitate controls
Dietary supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients (or other substances) with a nutritional or physiological effect. Such supplements can be put up in measured dose, such as capsules, pills, tablets, ampoules and cachets, or in packings for retail sale. As they are used to maintain general health or well-being, they are usually subjected to a strict control (for example, from health and/or consumer protection authorities).
The HS 2022 and its Explanatory Notes do not include a comprehensive definition of dietary supplements, and such goods are spread among various headings based on their composition, with heading 21.06 – as a residual heading – covering only products that cannot be classified elsewhere in the HS Nomenclature. As a result, the classification of dietary supplements has been subjected to many inquiries and court rulings, leading to divergence in their classification among HS Contracting Parties. The collection and evaluation of their trade data are also very difficult.
At the request of Member administrations, the matter was initiated and subsequently examined in depth over two HS review cycles, from March 2017 to September 2024. This process involved comprehensive technical discussions, with input from the WCO Scientific Sub-Committee and the participation of international organizations, including the FAO and WHO. WCO
WCO announces updates to global customs codes to facilitate vaccination programmes and enhance preparedness for health emergencies
The World Customs Organization has today published a major update of the Harmonized System – the international classification of goods that gives every traded product a standardized code. Managed by the WCO, the HS is used by more than 200 countries and economies as a basis for their Customs tariffs and for the collection of international trade statistics. The changes, which will come into effect on 1 January 2028, to allow time for national adaption, mark the conclusion of six years of technical work carried out by the WCO’s 187 Members. These additions in the HS will provide visibility to products critical to health programmes and emergency response, enabling faster Customs clearance and ease of identification.
The HS facilitates visibility of trade in vaccines
Vaccine production is today concentrated in a few countries, making trade a vital means for deploying vaccines globally. The current classification of vaccines for human use in the HS provides insufficient granularity to assess international trade flows and easily implement trade policies for those vaccines. Under the current HS 2022, vaccines are classified under just two subheadings for human and veterinary medicine. This lack of granularity is also often reflected in national tariff levels.
HS 2028 introduces new headings (30.07 & 30.08) and subheadings for vaccines representing significant current or expected trade volumes and addresses priority diseases where immunization is vital. The new structure reflects two dimensions: it distinguishes outbreak-prone diseases from endemic ones, and it aligns with WHO vaccination guidance by covering vaccines recommended for all programmes, for high-risk groups, for programmes with specific characteristics, and for diseases of local or sporadic nature. WCO
HS 2028 Amendments - Adapting the Harmonized System to Global Priorities and Trade Evolution
The HS 2028 amendments have now been accepted, marking a major milestone in the evolution of the Harmonized System, the international classification of goods that gives every traded product a standardized code, facilitating the implementation of trade regulations and serving as the backbone of international trade statistics. The amendments comprise 299 sets of changes, resulting in a nomenclature of 1,229 headings and 5,852 subheadings. Compared with the HS 2022 edition, six new headings and 428 new subheadings have been created, while five headings and 172 subheadings have been deleted to reflect evolving trade patterns, technological progress and growing regulatory needs. Those changes reflect critical, urgent or emerging topics, such as health emergency preparation, the fight against epidemics, and environmental pollution.
Key updates to the HS 2028
Public health is a central focus of HS 2028. New subheadings enhance the visibility of essential supplies used in health emergencies, including ambulances, personal protective equipment, medical ventilators and diagnostic devices. These changes respond to lessons learned from recent global health crises and will facilitate the application of emergency trade measures and preparedness planning.
HS 2028 also introduces major structural changes for vaccines, reclassifying products previously covered by heading 30.02 into two new headings: heading 30.07 for vaccines for human medicine, with disease-based subheadings, and heading 30.08 for other vaccines, including veterinary vaccines. This new structure improves transparency of vaccine trade flows and supports global immunization programmes, particularly in emergency situations.
Another significant development is the creation of new heading 21.07 for dietary supplements, accompanied by new legal Notes. This amendment resolves long-standing classification challenges at the interface between food and pharmaceutical products, strengthens legal certainty and improves the quality of trade statistics in a rapidly expanding market. WCO
WCO: Integrity of global cargo supply chains: pursuing common safety and security objectives
In the context of building Customs’ resilience to adequately treat supply chain risks, the overall risk profile sits alarmingly high yet varies greatly across the WCO Member regions. Within that context, the WCO Supply Chain Integrity (SCI) Project developed a regional seminar series intended to actively engage the international Customs and trade community and focus collaborative effort and energy where it was most needed. In October 2025, the WCO delivered a final seminar in Namibia for Members from East, South and West Africa, following earlier editions in Cambodia, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic, and Belgium. With generous support from Namibia’s Revenue Agency, and guest presenters from New Zealand Customs Service and the Mediterranean Shipping Company, the seminar illuminated contemporary issues directly impacting the region and introduced recently published guidance material developed under Pillar 1, Standard 9 Security Assessments of the SAFE Framework. WCO
WTO: Panel to review Indian measures on batteries, e-vehicles; US appeals tax credits report
The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 24 February to a request from China for the establishment of a panel to review certain measures imposed by India in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. The United States notified its decision to appeal the panel report in a case initiated by China regarding certain tax credits under the US Inflation Reduction Act. WTO
WTO: Philippines launches safeguard investigation on ceramic tiles
On 10 February 2026, the Philippines notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 5 February 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of ceramic tiles. WTO
WTO: Applications from LDCs open for WTO annual workshop on transfer of technology
Government officials from WTO least-developed country (LDC) members and eligible observers are invited to apply for the 2026 WTO workshop on Article 66.2 (Incentives for Technology Transfer) of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), to be held in Geneva from 21 to 23 April 2026. Applications close on 16 February 2026. WTO
WTO: Fish Fund launches second Call for Proposals
The WTO Fish Fund opened its second Call for Proposals on 2 February, inviting developing and least-developed country (LDC) WTO members that have ratified the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to apply for project grants aimed at supporting their implementation of the Agreement.
WTO panel issues report regarding certain US tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act
On 30 January, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in United States — Certain Tax Credits Under the Inflation Reduction Act (DS623).
WTO revamps data portal with new catalogue of WTO datasets
The WTO has revamped the WTO Data Portal, the principal gateway to all trade data published by the organization. A key feature of the portal is a new catalogue of WTO datasets allowing WTO members and other users to explore WTO data in one self-contained area instead of navigating various platforms. The new catalogue features a simple, user-friendly interface that allows quick access to WTO trade data and better support for trade policymaking by WTO members. The revamped Data Portal supports the Secretariat's 2030 Strategy, particularly its commitment to enhancing information services through improved collection and dissemination of data, and access to knowledge. https://data.wto.org/