The WCO strengthens Risk Management, Post Clearance Audit, HS Classification, and Customs Valuation Capacities of Customs in the Pacific Islands
Under the auspices of the WCO/JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Joint Project, the World Customs Organization (WCO) successfully conducted the second Working Group activity (WG2) of the Master Trainer Programme (MTP) on Risk Management (RM) and Post Clearance Audit (PCA) for the Pacific Islands (PIs) in Nadi, Fiji, from 28 April to 2 May 2025. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) graciously hosted the event.
Twenty-nine Working Group (WG) members on RM and PCA from eight WCO Members, namely Fiji, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu, participated in the working group activity. In the same week, the advanced workshops on HS Classification (HS) and Customs Valuation (CV) were conducted under the same auspices in cooperation with the Oceania Customs Organization (OCO) in Nadi, Fiji, from 28 April to 1 May. WG2 and the advanced workshops shared an opening ceremony, which was attended and addressed by Ms. Laisa Naivalurua, Operations Manager of the OCO, Mr. Satoshi Wakasugi, Resident Representative of JICA Fiji Office, and Mr. Marika Vuniyayawa, Chief Customs Officer, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS).
WCO: Members consider China’s request for panel to examine Canadian surtax measures
At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 23 May, WTO members considered a request from China for the establishment of a dispute panel to review surtax measures imposed by Canada on certain products of Chinese origin, including electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.
WTO: Russia initiates WTO dispute regarding EU’s carbon border adjustment and emissions trading
The Russian Federation has requested WTO dispute consultations with the European Union and member states concerning the EU’s “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Package” and alleged export subsidy under the EU scheme for trading greenhouse gas emission allowances. The request was circulated to WTO members on 19 May.
WTO members discuss duty-free electronic transmissions, hear views from private sector
Members discussed the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions at a workshop held on 15 May, which included private sector perspectives and a report by United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on the indirect taxation of e-commerce. The facilitator of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, Ambassador Richard Brown of Jamaica, encouraged further reflection ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) to be held in March 2026.
WTO: Members seek to broaden ITA participation, examine links with AI and e-commerce
Participants in the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the ITA Expansion Agreement endorsed on 7 May a programme of discussions aimed at broadening the agreements’ membership and examining the ITA’s role in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and e-commerce. Members also welcomed initial steps to address classification challenges in tariff schedules for 22 IT products to ensure the effective implementation of the agreements.
WTO: Egypt launches safeguard investigation on hot rolled flat steel
Egypt notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 22 April 2025 an investigation on hot rolled flat steel (HRC and/or HRFS).
WTO: Panel established to review EU duties on battery electric vehicles from China
The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 25 April to a request from China for the establishment of a panel to review the European Union's countervailing duties on new battery electric vehicles from China.