Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joins the World Customs Organization as the 187th Member
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joins the World Customs Organization as the 187th Member. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is delighted to announce that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has become its 187th Member following the deposit of its instrument of accession to the Convention Establishing a Customs Cooperation Council. The official date of accession to the WCO and signature to the Convention is 17 September 2025. WCO
WTO: EU welcomes Vietnam to WTO’s alternative arbitration arrangement
The EU welcomes the decision of Vietnam to join the Multi-party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) for WTO members. The MPIA now covers 58 World Trade Organization (WTO) members and 59.5% of world trade. The arrangement guarantees participants access to a dispute settlement system, in the absence of a functioning Appellate Body in the WTO. It ensures that rules can be enforced and trade disputes resolved in an orderly way, without appealing 'into the void’ at the WTO. Source
WTO issues compliance ruling regarding Colombian duties on frozen fries
On 23 October, the WTO circulated the compliance panel report in the case brought by the European Union in Colombia - Anti-Dumping Duties on Frozen Fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands (DS591). Source
WTO: China initiates dispute regarding Indian measures on batteries, auto parts and e-vehicles
China has requested WTO dispute consultations with India regarding certain Indian measures in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. China said the measures in question include incentives to promote the production of advanced chemistry cell batteries, automobile and auto components, and electric vehicles in India. The request was circulated to WTO members on 20 October 2025. Source
WTO launches new resource hub for parliamentarians
The WTO Secretariat has launched a new resource hub for parliamentarians on the WTO website, with the aim of providing legislators with timely updates on trade issues, direct access to key resources and information on training opportunities related to the multilateral trading system. The hub is intended to strengthen the link between parliaments and global trade rules, providing guidance to parliamentarians on the ratification of WTO agreements, the implementation of commitments and engagement on trade issues. Source
WTO launches new Monthly Merchandise Trade Statistics interactive tool
The new WTO Monthly Merchandise Trade Statistics interactive tool provides access to bilateral trade data for over 120 economies and more than 200 of their trading partners across 72 product categories. The tool, contained in the WTO's Tariff and Trade Data portal, is updated weekly and draws on statistics from Trade Data Monitor (TDM), which sources trade data from government offices and agencies across the world. Source
WTO: Improving transparency focus of discussions at import licensing committee meeting
At a meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing on 10 October, the Chair reported on his efforts to work with members on improving transparency in licensing notification procedures. The Committee also reviewed 11 specific trade concerns raised by members, a very high number for a Committee meeting. Source
WCO: Harmonized System Committee Concludes its 76th Session with Remarkable Outcomes
The 76th Session of the Harmonized System Committee (HSC) concluded with remarkable achievements and continued progress in ensuring the consistent interpretation and application of the Harmonized System. Held from 17 to 26 September 2025 for discussions and on 3 October 2025 for the reading of the report, the session brought 74 Members, representing 73 countries and the European Union, under the chairmanship of Mr. Tom Beris (United States). In his opening remarks, the Chairperson warmly welcomed El Salvador and Jamaica, which had recently become new Contracting Parties to the Harmonized System Convention. He underlined the vital role of the Committee in providing clear and consistent guidance that supports administrations and stakeholders in the correct and uniform application of the Harmonized System (HS).
The Committee produced outstanding results over the two-week session, demonstrating strong engagement and collaboration among Members. The agenda included the following achievements:
- Examination of 71 agenda items
- 40 classification decisions
- Two amendments to the HS 2022 Explanatory Notes
- Creation of 21 new Classification Opinions and deletion of two existing Opinions
In addition, the Committee initiated discussions on the development of the Correlation Tables between the HS 2028 and HS 2022 editions and adopted an improved format of the Table presenting the correlation between the HS 2022 and 2028 editions, with the aim of enhancing clarity and usability. These Tables will serve as an essential reference tool for the effective implementation of the HS 2028 amendments. The session also included the election of a new Chairperson for the next two sessions. Mr. Taufik Ismail (Indonesia) was elected Chairperson for the 77th and 78th Sessions of the Committee. The delegations and the WCO Secretariat expressed their sincere appreciation to Mr. Tom Beris for his outstanding leadership and dedication during his tenure as Chairperson, covering the 73rd to 76th Sessions. The next (77th) Session of the HSC is scheduled to be held in March 2026 at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Source
WCO: New instrument on the meaning of the expression “price actually paid or payable” adopted at the 61st Session of the TCCV
At its 61st Session, the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) concluded its examination of a technical question submitted by Uruguay concerning the “Meaning of the expression “price actually paid or payable” for the goods under the transaction value method”. As a result, a new instrument, Explanatory Note: 7.1., will be submitted for approval to the WCO Council at its June 2026 Sessions. WCO
WCO: Digitalizing origin data exchanges using a standards-based approach: WCO releases the Interconnectivity Framework for Certificates of Origin
The WCO published today the Interconnectivity Framework for Certificates of Origin, which aims at ensuring that platforms supporting the exchange of electronic Certificates of Origin (COs) between exporting authorities and importing Customs administrations are aligned with a set of protocols, standards, and guidelines. This publication is the result of extensive work carried out by the WCO Secretariat in collaboration with WCO Members, reflecting the Organization’s commitment to facilitating the establishment of smoother and more efficient electronic exchanges of origin information, saving time and effort for government agencies involved in setting up the legal, informatics and communications systems supporting such exchanges. WCO
WCO Supports the WCA Region for Effective and Integrated Implementation of AfCFTA Rules of Origin
The regional awareness workshop on Rules of Origin under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) took place from 24 to 26 September 2025 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. WCO
WCO assists Djibouti Customs with origin competency development
Under the framework of the EU-WCO Rules of Origin (RoO) Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, held a national training workshop, from 22 to 25 September 2025, on Rules of Origin for Djibouti Customs. WCO
WTO circulates arbitration decision in US-EU ripe olives dispute
On 29 October, a WTO arbitrator issued its decision on the level of countermeasures the European Union may request with respect to the United States in “United States — Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties on Ripe Olives from Spain” (DS577). The arbitrator also decided on the methodology the EU may use to fix the level of suspension of concessions or other obligations vis-à-vis the United States if, in the future, the US applies on EU agricultural products the countervailing duty measure that had been found to be inconsistent with WTO rules.