WTO panel issues report regarding EU duties on Indonesian steel products
On 2 October, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by Indonesia in “European Union — Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties on Stainless Steel Cold-Rolled Flat Products from Indonesia“(DS616). Source: WTO
WTO: EU appeals dispute panel report regarding duties on imports of biodiesel from Indonesia
The European Union notified its decision to appeal the panel report in the case brought by Indonesia in “European Union — Countervailing Duties on Imports of Biodiesel from Indonesia” (DS618). WTO members were informed of the appeal at the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) meeting on 26 September. The panel report was circulated to WTO members on 22 August 2025. Source: WTO
WTO: The Dominican Republic launches safeguard investigation on sweet and savoury biscuits
On 25 September 2025, the Dominican Republic notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 19 September 2025 a safeguard investigation on sweet and savoury biscuits of all kinds, industrially or mass-produced, and made primarily from wheat. Source: WTO
WTO hackathon showcases youth proposals on trade and food security
The WTO, in partnership with Geneva Trade Platform and CropLife International, hosted the finals of its first global policy hackathon on trade and food security on 16 September. The competition brought together 58 student teams from over 30 countries, challenging them to “hack” solutions for how international trade rules can contribute to ending hunger. Over two days, the teams produced a wide range of creative proposals, from digital traceability systems for food products and food safety knowledge hubs to infrastructure financing, biofuels strategies and new forms of agricultural negotiating coalitions. Source: WTO
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies enters into force
At a special General Council meeting on 15 September, WTO members celebrated the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which commits members to curbing billions of dollars in annual spending on the most harmful subsidies that contribute to the depletion of marine fish stocks. Hailing the Agreement as a “landmark for global trade governance”, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thanked WTO members for their commitment to protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities around the world. Source: WTO
WTO: Egypt launches safeguard investigation on cold rolled coil, galvanized steel and pre-painted steel
On 10 September 2025, Egypt notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 10 September 2025 a safeguard investigation on cold rolled coil, galvanized steel and pre-painted steel and that it imposed a provisional measure. Source: WTO
WTO: Egypt launches safeguard investigation on semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel (billets)
On 10 September 2025, Egypt notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 10 September 2025 a safeguard investigation on semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel (billets) and that it imposed a provisional measure. Source: WTO
WTO: Thailand launches safeguard investigation on polypropylene
On 8 September 2025, Thailand notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 3 September 2025 an investigation on polypropylene. Source: WTO
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. The event was organized by the Brazzaville Regional Training Centre (RTC) in partnership with the WCO West and Central Africa (WCA) Region and the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB), with the WCO Secretariat invited to co-facilitate the sessions. This workshop brought together representatives from 21 of the 24 Customs administrations in the WCA region, namely: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Niger, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Chad, and Togo. The workshop also benefited from the participation of experts from the WCO Secretariat, a representative of the ROCB, and representatives from the three Regional Training Centres in the region. Source: WCO
WCO, WSC and IAPH spur discussions on how to better safeguard maritime supply chains from criminal threats
Around two-thirds of 2,600 drug seizures in maritime shipping containers across 2023 and 2024 were found to have some level of internal conspirator support somewhere in the supply chain. That is the standout fact from WCO’s Report on infiltration of maritime cargo supply chains that set the stage for the Global Conference on ‘a collective response to safeguarding maritime supply chains from criminal threats’, held at the WCO in Brussels.
To identify innovative mitigation strategies to this pervasive threat, the WCO’s Supply Chain Integrity Project collaborated with the World Shipping Council (WSC) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) to organize a conference bringing together over 70 stakeholders from the Customs and law enforcement community, governments and the maritime cargo industry to reinforce international cooperation in this highly dynamic domain. The conference offered contemporary insights into the tactics used by criminals to exploit vulnerabilities in legitimate maritime trade systems to move illicit goods. Participants heard firsthand from representatives of Customs, exporters, ocean carriers and maritime port authorities about the measures they take to protect their staff, assets, operations, reputation and society as a whole. A presentation from the Smart Container Alliance offered a look into modern smart security devices and how they contribute to safe and secure containerized cargo movements. Additionally, the Asociatión de Exportadores de Banano del Ecuador (AEBE) gave a presentation on the farm to port security measures being taken by their members to protect banana shipments from narcotics contamination. Source: WCO
WCO and IAPH Launch Updated Guidelines on Cooperation between Customs and Port Authorities
he World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) today announced the release of the updated Guidelines on Cooperation between Customs and Port Authorities. Building on the success of the first edition launched in 2023 at the World Ports Conference, the new version strengthens public–private cooperation across the global maritime supply chain and introduces valuable contributions from the World Shipping Council (WSC). The Guidelines serve as a practical tool to foster closer collaboration, better data sharing, and enhanced risk management between customs and port authorities. They are designed to help national governments, port authorities, customs services, and private sector stakeholders navigate the increasingly complex challenges of global trade. The release coincides with the WCO global conference A collective response to safeguarding maritime supply chains from criminal threats taking place at the WCO headquarters in Brussels. The conference brings Customs authorities, ports, terminal operators and shipping lines together with the international law enforcement community and governments to discuss the results of a two-year WCO-led global analysis into illicit trade. Source: WCO