WCO ACCORDING TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

The World Customs Organization (WCO), established in 1952 as the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC), is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of customs administrations, promote cooperation and develop skills to facilitate legitimate trade.

WCO represents 183 customs administrations around the world that collectively manage about 98% of world trade. As a global center of customs expertise, it is the only international organization with competence in customs matters; knowledge-based and action-oriented, it leverages technology and innovation to meet the needs of world trade with transparent, honest and measurable governance procedures. At the Council meeting which began on 30 June, the EU presented a proposal for reform of the Organization, to achieve a clearer prioritisation of work, capable of addressing the challenges of the near post-pandemic future and to ensure improvements in governance and decision-making. Computerization of customs administrations, expansion of e-commerce, effective contribution to environmental protection, coordinated border management and use of the customs one-stop shop, strengthening of risk management by customs authorities: only the pursuit of these objectives can confirm WCO as a leading player in the international trade market, bearer of a strategic vision on a global scale.