IT connectivity: new WCO e-learning course introduces standardized approach to the design of systems automating origin data exchange
The WCO has released a new e-learning course on establishing a mechanism between parties to an FTA/PTA to automatically exchange electronic Certificates of Origin (COs) for goods being imported into, or exported from, their respective countries under a preference claim. The new e-learning course introduces the various components of the Framework in an interactive and engaging way and is now available to Customs officers on the WCO CLiKC! learning platform under the title “Certificate of Origin Interconnectivity”. The course was developed based on the WCO Interconnectivity Framework for Certificate of Origin, which aims at ensuring that IT systems supporting the exchange of COs are aligned through a set of protocols, standards, and guidelines.
Standards-based interoperability is central to ongoing COs digitalization
The digitalization of origin-related procedures is a critical element in ensuring efficient, transparent, and secure trade under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In recent years, some countries and regional entities have created national and regional IT platforms to manage CO-related processes and exchange electronic data on proofs of origin. Such mechanisms have shortened CO issuance time, eliminated the need for traders to submit the certificates to the importing country, removed the burden on Customs to verify scanned documentary copies, and allowed authenticity checks to be performed in real time at the moment Customs declarations are submitted. However, each party often has a different mechanism, with its own technical standards and specifications, dataset for e-COs, data structures, message formats and information flows. This lack of harmonization hinders the transmission of electronic data on COs between two or more governments through the interconnection of computerized systems. Therefore, there is a need for a common reference to enable seamless exchange of CO data under bilateral or multilateral FTAs, as well as guidance on the development of a technological solution for CO interconnectivity between parties. Source
WCO accredits new rules of origin trainers to ensure sustainable and autonomous training capacity in Customs administrations
Building sustainable and autonomous training capacity in Customs administrations is one of the WCO objectives. Since 2022, with funding from the European Union, the WCO has been working with African Customs administrations to equip Customs officials and relevant stakeholders with the knowledge and skills required to efficiently implement rules of origin provisions set in preferential trade agreements. One key activity of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme is to develop a pool of experts capable of training their peers and key stakeholders to support WCO training activities. Ten Portuguese and Arabic speaking Customs officers completed the Rules of Origin Competency Development Cycle in February 2026, bringing the number of trainers on rules of origin that have been accredited under the Programme to 19. It is the first time that Portuguese speaking experts on rules of origin have been accredited and, for some Customs administrations, the first time one of their officers has been accredited by the WCO. The 10 officers who successfully completed the cycle represented the Customs administrations of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Sao Tome & Principe, Tunisia. Source
WTO Middle East conflict weighs further on slowing trade outlook
World trade is set to slow in 2026 following stronger than expected growth in 2025 on the back of surging trade in AI-enabling products. WTO economists warn that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could further reduce trade growth if energy prices remain elevated, noting that it would also put pressure on food supplies and services trade due to travel and transport disruptions. Prospects could still improve if the conflict ends quickly and the boom in AI spending continues. Source
WTO Arbitrator to set level of trade suspension in Indonesia–EU palm oil biofuels dispute
A WTO arbitrator was tasked on 19 March with determining the level of trade suspension Indonesia may impose on the European Union in the palm oil biofuels dispute, following Indonesia’s request to suspend concessions worth US$ 2.8–5.6 billion annually. At the same meeting, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) also agreed to the EU’s second request for a panel to review Chinese measures on global licensing terms for standard essential patents. Source
WTO Canada launches safeguard investigation on certain vegetable goods
On 18 March 2026, Canada notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain vegetable goods. Source
WTO is considering a new proposal on e-commerce
During the meeting on the E-Commerce Work Programme on 3 March 2026, WTO members considered the proposal to establish a Digital Commerce Committee as part of the draft decision on e-commerce for the 14th E-Commerce Committee. Ministerial Conference (MC14), which will take place on March 26-29, 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Members also continued discussions on the revival of the Work Programme and a moratorium on the imposition of tariffs on electronic transmissions based on two other proposals. Source
WTO: Review of five regional trade agreements and transparency issues
At the meeting of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) on 3 March 2026, WTO members reviewed five regional trade agreements (RTAs) with (1) Comoros - EU, (2) Mozambique - Indonesia , (3) China - Serbia , (4) Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan , (5) Turkey - Faroe Islands . They also discussed other topics relevant to the Committee's work under the Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) Transparency Mechanism. Source
Arbitrator to set level of trade suspension in Indonesia–EU palm oil biofuels dispute
A WTO arbitrator was tasked on 19 March with determining the level of trade suspension Indonesia may impose on the European Union in the palm oil biofuels dispute, following Indonesia’s request to suspend concessions worth US$ 2.8–5.6 billion annually. At the same meeting, the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) also agreed to the EU’s second request for a panel to review Chinese measures on global licensing terms for standard essential patents. WTO
WTO: Canada launches safeguard investigation on certain vegetable goods
On 18 March 2026, Canada notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain vegetable goods. WTO
WTO: Russia notifies launch of safeguard investigation on tinplate
On 11 March 2026, the Russian Federation notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards of the initiation on 4 March 2026 of a safeguard investigation on tinplate (certain flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel) imported into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union. WTO
WTO members consider new e-commerce proposal and previous submissions ahead of MC14
At a meeting on the Work Programme on E-Commerce on 3 March, WTO members considered a proposal to establish a Committee on Digital Trade as part of a draft decision on e-commerce for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), which will take place from 26 to 29 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Members also continued discussions on the reinvigoration of the Work Programme and on the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions on the basis of two other proposals. WTO
WTO members review five regional trade agreements, discuss transparency issues
At a meeting of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) on 3 March, WTO members reviewed five regional trade agreements (RTAs) involving Comoros, the European Union, Mozambique, Indonesia, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and the Faroe Islands. They also reviewed other topics relevant to the Committee’s work under the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs. WTO