World Customs Organization

The World Customs Organization (WCO), with its 169 Members across the globe, is the only organisation with a unique focus on Customs matters and can rightly call itself the voice of the international Customs community. Recognized as an important role-player in the international trade environment and a critical institution to good governance, the WCO is particularly noted for its work in areas covering the development of global standards, the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures, the security of the trade supply chain, the facilitation of world trade, compliance and enforcement initiatives (anti-counterfeiting for example), and the maintenance of the Harmonized System goods nomenclature that regulates approximately 98% of world trade. The WCO is also responsible for administering the technical aspects of the WTO Agreements on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin, and is heavily involved in sustainable Customs capacity building activities.