The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) published a joint report entitled “Enhancing Integrity at Borders – The role of trade facilitation in the fight against corruption”, which highlights the fundamental role of trade facilitation in reducing corruption in customs processes.
These are organizations with a global reach. OMA, which represents 186 customs administrations worldwide, and the ICC, which acts as institutional representative of more than 45 million businesses in more than 170 countries, warn that "corruption represents an annual cost of between USD 1.2 and USD 1.5 trillion, equivalent to approximately 2% of global GDP." However, "corruption does not only involve bribery; it undermines institutional trust, distorts competition, and creates artificial barriers that affect businesses worldwide."
Context
The report notes that “Corruption thrives where trade facilitation is most needed, namely in complex, opaque, and fragmented environments, where bureaucratic procedures involve multiple government agencies and discretion creates opportunities for abuse.””. In particular, “micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women-led businesses are especially vulnerable in these contexts, as they often lack the resources to navigate complex procedures or absorb additional costs resulting from informal payments.”
In this context, trade facilitation—defined as “the simplification and harmonization of international procedures”—“can be a powerful lever to combat corruption,” since it “reduces complexity and increases transparency, limiting opportunities for illicit practices.” The report highlights that “when properly implemented, these measures create an environment where corruption is more difficult to execute and easier to detect.”
Among the recommended concrete measures These include "the digitalization of border processes to reduce human intervention," as well as "the establishment of clear and transparent regulatory frameworks that limit discretion." Furthermore, "public-private partnerships are essential to promote collective action and strengthen integrity-oriented reforms."
These actions must be in line with international commitments, such as the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention”, which “constitute a fundamental basis for strengthening integrity, promoting transparency, limiting discretion, and supporting more predictable, rules-based border procedures.”
The report also warns of associated challenges and risks, such as "data manipulation in digitalized systems, cybersecurity threats, risks of internal corruption, and resistance to technological adoption." To address these challenges, it recommends "comprehensive approaches that include strong governance structures, regular audits, cybersecurity, and training programs."
Featured experience
As an example, the report mentions a country in the Americas and the Caribbean region: GuatemalaThere, a project supported by the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation digitized vessel arrival and departure procedures through the Maritime Single Window (VUMAR). This initiative reduced processing times by 85% and eliminated the need for multiple on-site visits. Furthermore, it made all transactions traceable and verifiable, demonstrating how digitalization can reduce opportunities for corruption by replacing paper-based processes with more transparent and accountable procedures.
Recommendations
Finally, the WCO and the ICC present a series of practical recommendations to strengthen border integrity, including "the digitalization of processes, the adoption of regulatory frameworks that criminalize all forms of corruption, raising awareness about bribery and facilitation payments, and strengthening compliance programs and anonymous reporting mechanisms." They also emphasize that "a culture of zero tolerance, based on responsible leadership and public-private collaboration, is essential to advancing this goal."
The document presents a detailed analysis in its 13 pages divided into 5 parts and is available for download on the official website of the World Customs Organization.
◾https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/topics/integrity/instruments-and-tools/2025_icc-wco-enhancing-integrity-at-borders.pdf?db=web
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