WCO: Origin Determination of Remanufactured and Recycled Goods – WCO publishes new study
The WCO Study on the Origin Determination of Remanufactured and Recycled Goods analyses free trade agreements (FTAs) provisions related to recycled and remanufactured goods and provides key insights into the challenges met by Customs administrations in applying rules of origin which are primarily designed for new products to these categories of goods. While revealing significant gaps in FTAs origin-related provisions, the Study formulates recommendations for unlocking lower tariffs in free trade agreements for these types of goods.
FTAs and circular economy principles
Many FTAs promote the transition to a circular economy where resources are used more efficiently, and economic growth is decoupled from material inputs. For example, the draft trade agreements under negotiation between the European Union (EU) and several countries refers to this notion: the EU-Mexico agreement includes a provision on “inclusive green growth and Circular Economy”, while the agreements with Australia and New Zealand contain provisions aimed at increasing cooperation to promote “sustainable production and consumption, the Circular Economy, green growth and pollution abatement”.
Circular models are based on various industrial processes, including recycling and remanufacturing. Remanufacturing is a truly closed-loop industrial process that intentionally recaptures the value-added component of a product so that it may lead additional useful lives rather than being landfilled or recycled. Recycling reduces products into raw material, which can then be used again.
Some FTAs contain specific provisions aimed at boosting trade in recycled and remanufactured products, including through differential tariffs applied at the six-digit HS codes that specify recycled or remanufactured goods and/or subheadings containing both new and recycled/remanufactured goods. Source: WCO
WCO builds freight forwarders capacity to manage rules of origin, ensuring enhanced compliance and increased preferential tariff treatment use
To ensure that the benefits of its training extend beyond participants, the WCO often equips Customs trainees to become tomorrow’s trainers, and hence ensure that knowledge is spread across institutions, countries and generations of practitioners. The EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme has taken this approach even further by opening its comprehensive competency development cycle to staff from the private sector in East African Community (EAC) Partner States. The objective is to develop a pool of experts from various sectors who can independently transfer knowledge to their peers or clients long after international experts have left.
Return on investment
The EAC is a regional intergovernmental organization focused on economic, political and social integration. It is composed of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Some Customs officers from EAC Partner States have completed the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme competency development cycle and have been delivering rules of origin training to exporters, manufacturers, chambers of commerce, freight forwarders and other economic operators. In so doing, they are enabling their administrations to build capacity using their own specialists rather than relying on external expertise.
The launch of the EAC Freight Forwarders Competency Development Programme on Rules of Origin, in March 2026, represents an important step in this multiplier approach designed to expand the number of individuals that the WCO reaches in the region. Relying on WCO accredited experts from the Community, this initiative was made possible thanks to a long-term investment by the WCO in developing sustainable training capacity across Africa. The importance of competence development for freight forwarders in rules of origin
Under the EAC Freight Forwarders Competency Development Programme on Rules of Origin, which will end in September 2026, some 149 freight forwarders from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda are participating in a full training cycle comprising basic, intermediate and advanced technical training, followed by Training of Trainers (ToT). A freight forwarder is the party who ensures that internationally traded goods move from point of origin to point of destination, serving as a trusted adviser on trade procedures and documentation, and sometimes as a Customs clearing agent. Source: WCO
WCO: E-commerce becoming a primary conduit for global illicit trade: WCO’s flagship Illicit Trade Report finds
The Illicit Trade Report (ITR) transforms front-line enforcement data into strategic intelligence – based on data from 163,850 cases from 170 reporting Customs administrations. The ITR 2025 highlights evolving dynamics, emerging trends and the wide-ranging impact of illicit trade observed through WCO Members’ Customs enforcement activities. The data captured reflects seizures shared by WCO Members through the Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) as well as seizures reported during WCO operations. Key results for the 2025 edition, categorized by six strategic enforcement areas, include:
- Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing: 10,538 cases and 12,261 seizures from 87 reporting administrations. Cash smuggling dominated overwhelmingly with 95.5% of seizures, followed by trafficking in gold (4.2%) and gemstones (0.3%).
- Drugs: 67,757 cases across 146 administrations. Seizures included cannabis – 548.8 tonnes; psychotropic substances – 186.8 tonnes; cocaine – 400.1 tonnes; and opioids and opiates – 24.3 tonnes.
- Environmental Crime: 4,803 environmentally sensitive commodity seizures registered, including waste, ivory, wildlife and plants from 123 administrations.
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Health and Safety: 42,026 cases and 82,596 seizures from 110 administrations. IPR products dominated with 35,759 cases (85.1%) and 74,389 seizures, with medical products amounting to 6,267 cases (14.9%) and 8,207 seizures.
- Revenue:34,236 cases and 40,744 seizures reported by 120 administrations. Tobacco accounted for 92.2% of cases (31,571), along with 674 tonnes of e-cigarettes seized.
Security: weapons trafficking made up 86.9% of security cases, alongside emerging streams covering explosives and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) making up 653 cases. Source: WCO
The WCO Data Model at 30: WCO celebrates three decades of data interoperability and unveils Version 4.3.0
On 8 July 2026, the WCO held a public webinar entitled “The WCO Data Model at 30: Version 4.3.0 and the Future of Data Interoperability”. It traced the origins and evolution of the Data Model, presented Version 4.3.0 of the Model and its maintenance procedure, and explored the future of the Model as the foundation of trusted data exchange.
Opening the webinar, the WCO Deputy Secretary General, Ricardo Treviño, recalled that the idea put forward by the G7 to develop what would become the WCO Data Model was both ambitious and practical: a common language for Customs information at a time when fragmented data requirements placed a burden on governments and businesses alike. Since then, the WCO Data Model has evolved into a widely recognized standard for Customs and cross-border regulatory data. Today, it supports countless digitalization and data-sharing initiatives around the world, including Single Window environments and other data exchange platforms. “Today, interoperability is no longer merely a technical objective; it is a strategic need”, he said, adding that “The WCO Data Model provides a foundation upon which interoperable ecosystems can be built.”
A common language for data exchange
Ieuan Smiton, from the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, traced the origins of the Data Model to a 1996 G7 initiative to standardize Customs procedures and electronic data exchange. Formally adopted by the WCO in 2002 as Version 1.0 of the Customs Data Model, the tool is maintained by experts from both the public and private sectors within the Data Model Projects Team (DMPT). Together, they have developed the Model through a series of milestones, including the addition of safety and security data elements (Version 1.1), the inclusion of transit and conveyance reporting (Version 2, 2006), its expansion to cover all cross-border regulatory agencies – leading to the removal of “Customs” from its name (Version 3, 2009) – and a renewed focus on quality and simplification, together with the launch of the WCO Data Model App (Version 4, 2023).
Ieuan, who serves as the Data Modeller within the DMPT, further explained that the WCO Data Model is a language for exchanging trade data: a shared dictionary of harmonized definitions combined with standardized, reusable message structures that are technology-neutral and can be implemented in UN/EDIFACT, XML, JSON or any other syntax. “As with any language, users determine which harmonized fields within the Data Model they require and use the standardized structures to develop their own template for exchanging data. When two or more parties communicate using the WCO Data Model, ambiguity is removed, ensuring clarity and understanding for everyone involved”, he said.
A new version supporting data exchange related to maritime passengers and AEOs
Niclas Gustafsson, International Coordinator in the IT Department of Swedish Customs and Chairperson of the DMPT, presented the governance of the standard. The DMPT meets three or four times a year in Brussels, and all changes are driven by Members’ needs. He extended an open invitation to WCO Members to join the team, underlining that the DMPT thrives on a mix of profiles, not only technical ones. Data modellers, architects and IT specialists work side by side with individuals who understand the business: experts in Customs procedures and declaration processing, policy and legal officers, and practitioners involved in Single Window, passenger and risk management projects. Since every change to the Data Model begins with a business need, the ability to explain what information is required, and why, is just as valuable as the ability to model it. Previous data-modelling experience is not a prerequisite for contributing.
Sybrand Bootsma, WCO Data Model Architect from Netherlands Customs, presented the Data Maintenance Request (DMR) procedure, from submission through the WCO Data Model App to review, modelling, quality assurance and publication. He highlighted that Version 4.3.0 is a medium release in the annual maintenance cycle, introducing new capabilities while remaining fully compatible with the Version 4 series, enabling administrations that have already implemented the standard to adopt it without disruption. Source: WCO
WTO panel issues report regarding Turkish measures on EVs and other types of vehicles
On 28 July, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in “Türkiye — Measures Concerning Electric Vehicles and Other Types of Vehicles from China” (DS629). Source: WTO
WCO: Russia requests dispute panel on EU carbon border adjustment and emissions trading scheme
At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 24 July, members considered a request from the Russian Federation for the establishment of a dispute panel to review the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Package and alleged export subsidy under the EU scheme for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances. The DSB Chair, Ambassador Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota (Brazil), also updated members on dispute settlement reform consultations and convened an informal discussion after the meeting to further hear members’ views. Source: WTO
WTO: United States launches safeguard investigation on lamb meat
On 17 July 2026, the United States notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 13 July 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of lamb meat. Source: WTO
WTO: South Africa notifies launch of safeguard investigation on certain cold-rolled products of iron and steel
On 14 July 2026, South Africa notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards regarding the initiation on 10 July 2026 of a safeguard investigation on certain cold-rolled products of iron and steel imported into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). Source: WTO
WTO: TBT Committee reviews emerging technology standards, adopts improved notification formats
At its meeting on 7-10 July, the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee tackled a broad agenda, including standards for critical and emerging technologies, climate-resilient buildings and lithium-ion batteries. The Committee also adopted improvements to transparency procedures and related digital tools and reviewed 70 specific trade concerns raised by members. Source: WTO
WTO: Fertilizer trade impacted by Strait of Hormuz conflict
Trade in urea and phosphate fertilizers has been severely disrupted by the conflict in the Persian Gulf, according to data analysed by the WTO Secretariat. Certain economies in Africa and Asia are particularly vulnerable to resulting fertilizer shortages and price hikes. Opening of the Strait of Hormuz – a key channel for fertilizer trade - will in due course contribute to easing trade frictions and restore stability to global markets. Source: WTO
WTO panel issues report regarding EU duties on imports of fatty acid from Indonesia
On 8 July, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Indonesia in European Union – Anti-Dumping Measures on Imports of Fatty Acid from Indonesia (DS622). Source: WTO
WTO-OIF report highlights the transformative impact of digital trade for an inclusive global economy
A new report published today, 2 July, by the WTO and the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) examines the transformative impact of digital trade on global economic structures, with a particular focus on how fit-for-purpose regulatory frameworks can support inclusive growth. The report explores the challenges and opportunities arising from the rapid digitalization of trade and considers how the digital divide between countries can be narrowed. Source: WTO
WTO: EU suspends trade policy measures against the US following a WTO dispute
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1549 of 6 July 2026 suspending trade policy measures on certain products from the United States of America, originally imposed by Regulation (EU) 2020/1646, was published in the Official Journal of the EU. The elimination of these tariff restrictions took place following the official settlement of a trade dispute within the structures of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The suspensions concern, among others, consumer and industrial goods. For our sector, these are consumer electronics and entertainment: CN 9504 codes, including 9504 50 00 (video game consoles and devices), 9504 30 10 /20/90 (games launched with coins, banknotes or other means of payment) and other entertainment items (e.g. 9504 20 00, 9504 90 10, 9504 90 80), as well as vehicles and transport equipment: Tractors (CN Section 8701 codes, e.g. 8701 91 10, 8701 92 90, 8701 93 10) and motorcycle/bicycle frames and parts (CN 8714 91). For the electronics sector, this de-escalation means the abolition of additional customs duties on selected goods, which may directly translate into a reduction in the cost of transatlantic imports of components and ready-made technological solutions. Trade and procurement managers gain a more stable basis for costing in long-term contracts and the opportunity to optimize supply chains from the US market. From the perspective of compliance divisions, the new regulation imposes the obligation to immediately revise customs procedures, update ERP systems and verify commodity lists in order to avoid overpayments due to retaliatory duties. The regulation enters into force on 11 July 2026, is binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
WTO: EU submits three papers to advance WTO reform discussions
The EU has put forward three papers to keep WTO reform moving. The papers focus on balancing rights and obligations, curbing distortive state interventions and improving governance and decision-making. The status quo is no longer an option, and reform is essential to ensure the WTO remains fit to support an open, rules-based trading system.