The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Association of Ports and Ports (IAPH) announced today (10.09.2025) the publication of updated Guidelines on Cooperation between Customs and Port Authorities, designed to strengthen collaboration and protect maritime supply chains from criminal threats.
First adopted in 2023 at the World Ports Conference, these guidelines strengthen public-private cooperation along the global maritime supply chain and incorporate key contributions from the World Shipping Council (WSC), the WCO recalled in a statement.
The announcement was made at the WCO's global conference, "A Collective Response to Safeguarding Maritime Supply Chains from Criminal Threats," which brought together customs authorities, port operators, shipping lines, international law enforcement agencies, and governments over two days (September 10 and 11) to analyze the results of a two-year study on illicit trade led by the WCO.
WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders, He highlighted: "This joint document reflects evolving priorities, such as digitalization, coordinated risk management, and joint enforcement efforts. The guidance reaffirms our commitment to strengthening cross-border collaboration in an increasingly complex and data-driven trade environment.
In turn, the IAPH Director General, Patrick Verhoeven, noted: "Ports are at the heart of trade, sustainability, and security. The revised Guidelines demonstrate the importance of engaging all stakeholders, including shipping companies, to ensure efficiency and resilience in global maritime logistics.
(I.e.Main developments and best practices
- Global learning and attention to SIDS: Experiences from advanced, emerging, and developing countries are compiled, with an emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), promoting digitalization and sustainability.
- International instruments: Frameworks such as SAFE are leveraged to harmonize customs and port laws and digital systems, facilitating international trade.
- Interoperability agreements: Bilateral and intergovernmental agreements are established to coordinate the digital agenda.
- Port Community Councils: The creation of a National Port Community Council (CNCP) helps bridge gaps, build trust, and coordinate authorities, the private sector, and other public entities.
- Data collaboration: Sharing information between customs and ports improves security and efficiency, generating advanced analytics on cargo and transportation flows.
- Operational benefits: Cooperation reduces corruption, costs and bureaucracy, increases efficiency, predictability and improves political decision-making.
- Technological interoperability: The harmonization of Maritime Single Windows (MSWs) and Port Community Systems (PCS) enables the development of a collaborative Cyber Resilience Center (CRC).
- Emerging Technologies: The coordinated use of digital twins, IoT, AI, and drones is promoted to optimize operations and generate a common technological architecture.
- Coordinated Security: Aligning programs such as AEO and ISPS enables integrated risk management and improves resilience through advance cargo and vessel information.
(I.e.Contributions from leading countries:
- America: The United States, Guatemala, and Jamaica (Caribbean) contributed expertise in interoperability, security, and digitalization.
- Rest of the world: Germany, Australia, Bulgaria, China, Italy, Indonesia and Morocco have shared best practices and lessons learned that strengthen these Guidelines.
(I.e.Contributions from the World Shipping Council (WSC)
- The need for solid consultation mechanisms with port stakeholders before implementing new regulations or data requirements.
- Exchange timely and accurate information about vessels, crew and cargo, in line with international standards such as IMO FAL.14(46).
- The adoption of single windows to simplify and harmonize data presentation, reducing duplication and improving security and compliance.
- Creating trusted public-private partnerships to combat illicit trade, with lessons learned from global operations such as “Tin Can,” which in 2022 led to 43 arrests and the seizure of 100 tons of drugs.
- Establish clear international practices for abandoned or unremoved containers, which represent security risks.
The Guidelines are available in English, French, and Spanish, ensuring access to countries in the Americas and the rest of the world. With this initiative, the WCO, IAPH, and WSC seek to promote safer, more efficient, and sustainable maritime trade, while strengthening international cooperation in the face of emerging challenges in the global logistics chain.
We invite all stakeholders in the sector to consult the document and learn firsthand the best practices and recommendations for customs-port collaboration.
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
