WCO Smart Customs Project conducts study mission on Brazil Customs’ blockchain applications
From 30 June to 4 July 2025, the WCO Smart Customs Project, funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China, conducted a study mission to Rio de Janeiro focusing on Brazil Customs’ use of blockchain technology to share information on Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) and to implement Mutual Recognition Arrangements/Agreements (MRAs) in Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) member countries. The mission brought together over 30 participants, including senior officials from Brazil Customs such as Felipe Mendes Moraes (General Coordinator of the Customs Administration), Ronaldo Salles Feltrim Correa (Deputy Superintendent), and Sergio Garcia da Silva Alencar (Operational Coordinator for Customs). Representatives from the IT department, from service providers, from the Customs Law Committee of the State Bar Association (Order of Attorneys of Brazil - OAB) and from the Customs Administrations of Paraguay and Uruguay took part in person, with representatives from Argentina and Bolivia Customs participating remotely. Source: WCO
WCO Publishes Updated Guide to Counter Origin Irregularities
The World Customs Organization (WCO) has published an updated edition of its Guide to Counter Origin Irregularities (excluding fraud). The updated version includes new cases submitted by WCO Members, along with practical insights on how these cases were solved and how future irregularities can be prevented. The update is expected to assist other Members in dealing with similar issues when they encounter them. Updated in 2018 to reflect origin irregularities excluding fraud, the Guide has now been revised to address evolving challenges in the global trading environment. As trade patterns and practices continue to change, the WCO recognized the need to document emerging origin irregularities and share successful countermeasures. At its 139th and 140th Sessions held in June 2022, the WCO Council approved both the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and the Implementation Plan 2023-2024. A key focus of the Implementation Plan is enhancing revenue collection tools, particularly the correct application of the Rules of Origin when preferential treatment is claimed on traded goods. To support this initiative, the WCO Secretariat launched a survey in May 2024, inviting Members to share real cases of origin irregularities through a structured questionnaire. The responses were analysed and selected cases were incorporated into the updated Guide. These cases include both previously identified areas and two newly emerging issues: irregularities related to the Wholly Obtained criteria and those involving Self-Certification. Source: WCO
WCO supports COMESA Business Council with Rules of Origin competency development
Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, the World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the European Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the COMESA Business Council (CBC), held a training of trainers workshop on Rules of Origin for private sector representatives from Eastern and Southern Africa. The workshop was held at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, from 1 to 4 July 2025 with the objective to assist the private sector in enhancing its knowledge and application of preferential Rules of Origin.
The workshop was conducted as part of a comprehensive partnership with private sector stakeholders in Africa and marks the first full competency development cycle for private sector on a regional level. The support provided under the RoO Africa Programme allows for the deployment of wide-ranging capacity building activities to enhance the private sector knowledge on Rules of Origin and contribute to a seamless utilisation and implementation of the AfCFTA and other relevant FTAs.
In his opening remarks, CBC CEO Teddy Soobramanien emphasised that the joint collaboration with the Programme and the EU-TAF is designed to create a multiplier effect, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of the knowledge on Rules of Origin on a regional level within the private sector who will be the actual users of the AfCFTA. The cycle of workshops has demystified Rules of Origin which are an essential tool in the industrialisation of the region and the continent. Source: WCO
World Customs Organization Releases Data Model Version 4.2.0, Advancing the Digitalization of Customs Processes
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is proud to announce the release of the WCO Data Model Version 4.2.0, marking a significant step forward in the digitalization and harmonization of customs procedures worldwide. This latest version introduces two critical data sets: Customs Bonds and Certificates of Origin, providing WCO Members with tools to streamline operations, and enhance the efficiency of digital customs processes. The WCO Data Model provides a comprehensive framework for standardizing data elements in cross-border trade. Version 4.2.0 builds on this foundation by incorporating standardized data sets that support key customs processes.
Key Highlights of Version 4.2.0:
- Customs Bonds Information Package: This new data set enables WCO Members that require surety-issued customs bonds to streamline and digitalize their bonds submission processes. By adopting this standard, Members can reduce administrative burdens, enhance compliance, and automate obligation management to protect revenue. Importantly, the standardized approach also reduces the time and costs required for implementation, enabling Members to achieve operational efficiency and faster deployment of digitalized customs bond processes.
- Certificate of Origin Information Package: Developed using the dataset created by the Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO), this package empowers Members to digitalize electronic Certificates of Origin (eCOs). This digitalization improves validation of product origin, helping to combat fraud and ensure fair trade practices.
The WCO Data Model Version 4.2.0 is now available to WCO Members and stakeholders. The WCO encourages its members to adopt and implement this latest version to fully realize the benefits of standardized and digitalized customs procedures. Source: WCO
WCO Supports the Review of the Technical Aspects of the EAC Rules of Origin
Under the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union (EU), the World Customs Organization (WCO) is providing financial and technical support towards the review of the technical aspects of the East African Community (EAC) Rules of origin (RoO). The support is in alignment to WCO’s strategic objectives on trade facilitation, revenue collection and organisational development, and enables the implementation of the directive of the 34th Meeting of the Council of Ministers for a comprehensive review of the EAC RoO, 2015, and its Procedure Manual. This initiative aims at ensuring that the rules are trade-facilitative, aligned with regional best practices and are supportive of industrial growth. The review of the EAC RoO is timely since it provides an opportunity to address current implementation challenges and build greater transparency, predictability and trust among stakeholders. Considering that Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are building blocks of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), benefits arising from this review are expected to have a long-term effect on intra-African trade. As part of the review process, the EAC Secretariat convened the First Meeting of the Regional Task force which was held in Kampala, Uganda from 10 to 12 June 2025. In attendance were Partner States’ representatives from Customs Administrations, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, other experts; and the EAC Secretariat. The objective of the Meeting was to allow the experts to review the general rules of origin provisions and the updated Annex III on EAC RoO, with a view to identifying necessary revisions and agreeing on proposed amendments to the rules. Source: WCO
WTO - Arbitrators issue award in EU-China intellectual property dispute
On 21 July, the WTO circulated the arbitration award in the proceedings initiated by the European Union under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding to review the findings of a WTO dispute panel in “China — Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights” (DS611). Source: WTO
WTO - Merchandise trade posts strong growth in Q1 ahead of tariff hikes
The volume of world merchandise trade rose 3.6% quarter-on-quarter and 5.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025 as imports surged in North America in anticipation of higher tariffs in the United States, latest WTO data show. Merchandise trade volume growth in the first quarter was stronger than the WTO’s most recent forecast, but WTO economists expect the pace of expansion to slow later in the year as fully stocked inventories and higher tariffs weigh on import demand. Source: WTO
WTO - Items proposed for consideration at the next meeting of Dispute Settlement Body
The WTO Secretariat has circulated a meeting notice and list of items proposed for the next meeting, on 25 July 2025, of the Dispute Settlement Body, which consists of all WTO members and oversees legal disputes among them. The meeting notice is circulated in the form of a document officially called an “airgram”. Source: WTO
WTO issues new edition of World Tariff Profiles
The WTO published on 7 July the 2025 edition of World Tariff Profiles, which provides comprehensive data on the tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 economies. It is a joint publication of the WTO, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Source: WTO