Every January 26, the customs community commemorates International Customs Day, in honor of the first session of the Customs Cooperation Council (now the World Customs Organization - WCO), which was held on January 26, 1953, in the city of Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium. A special date to reflect on the distinguished career of this prestigious institution. Founded in 1952 under the name of the Customs Cooperation Council, the WCO brings together almost all the customs agencies in the world and represents 98% of international trade. Its main mission is to promote efficiency and harmonization in trade management, optimizing global customs processes.
On this International Customs Day, the World Customs Organization (WCO) has presented a new annual motto for the global customs community: «Customs fulfilling its commitment to efficiency, security and prosperity«. This motto reflects the essence of the work that customs carry out on a daily basis and represents an opportunity to make known its impact, its achievements and the value of its continuous work in ensuring that international trade contributes to both economic growth and the protection of societies, as highlighted in its Official Site.
In line with this commitment, the WCO has made notable achievements, including promoting uniform solutions in customs procedures, the classification of goods and their customs valuation. It has also strengthened international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge among its members. These advances have been fundamental to streamlining and securing global trade, benefiting both economies and communities.
In a global context where threats to international stability are increasingly frequent due to disruptions, regional wars and unilateral actions targeting the trade of specific countries, the principle of mutual assistance promoted by the WCO takes on even greater relevance. With 73 years of history, the Organization continues to base its work on cooperation and consensus between customs services, essential pillars of its mission. Today, more than ever, these values are crucial to contribute to a safer, more prosperous and more resilient world.
Then Customs News presents six moments OMA keys, taken from the book The World Customs Organization: Past, Present and Future, written by Dr. Héctor H. Juárez Allende, a renowned Argentine expert in customs law.
1. Who were the founding members of the World Customs Organization?
The founding members of the World Customs Organization were those countries that participated in the initial meeting held in Brussels, Belgium. These countries are mainly from Western Europe and include Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg), Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Scandinavian countries, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain. Although its origin reflects a strong European imprint, the WCO was designed from the outset to be open to signature by all States, both members and non-members of the United Nations, GATT, the Council of Europe and the International Chamber of Commerce, which favoured its global expansion.
Indeed, the first non-European member to join was Pakistan in 1955, followed by Egypt in 1956, Haiti in 1958 and Australia in 1961. Thus, in just a few years, the WCO managed to establish its presence on all continents, demonstrating remarkable growth and reflecting its inclusive and global character.
2. How has the creation of the WCO influenced the global landscape of trade and customs management?
The creation of the World Customs Organization marked a milestone in the global landscape of trade and customs management by establishing for the first time an international entity dedicated exclusively to representing and coordinating customs actions worldwide. This organization not only fostered collaboration between its members, but also promoted the exchange of good practices, contributing to the modernization and standardization of customs processes worldwide.
A key aspect of its work has been the normative influence of the then-named Customs Cooperation Council, which has significantly shaped public international law in customs matters. By developing standards, recommendations, technical opinions and various legal tools, the foundations were laid for systems that today are the pillars of global trade operations.
An emblematic example is the Harmonized System, which acts as a “lingua franca” for the classification of goods. This system has not only simplified the identification and categorization of products in international trade, but has also streamlined customs processes, promoting greater efficiency and facilitation of trade at a global level.
3. Continuing with the consolidation of the WCO at a global level, when did the United States join?
The United States decided to join the World Customs Organization on November 5, 1970, overcoming initial doubts regarding the European origin of the institution. Canada joined on October 12, 1971, and subsequently, most developed countries supported the initiative. This step consolidated the WCO as a major global player. Since its initial accession in 1951, the organization has experienced significant growth, currently reaching a total of of 186 members.
4. How does the WCO contribute to facilitating global trade in a practical and efficient manner?
One of the main functions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) is to develop international standards that harmonize customs procedures. This allows businesses to face a predictable and consistent process when importing or exporting goods, regardless of the country they are operating with, significantly reducing uncertainty and unnecessary paperwork.
In addition, the WCO offers training and technical assistance to member countries to ensure the correct implementation of these standards (it has more than 700 accredited experts globally). It is not just about setting standards, but also about ensuring that all countries are aligned and that the global system works smoothly and efficiently.
A crucial aspect of the WCO is its work in the fight against fraud and smuggling. The organisation supports countries in strengthening their customs controls and in international cooperation to share information on illegal activities, such as trafficking in drugs, arms or counterfeit goods. This collaboration is essential to mitigate threats that can affect both global security and economic stability.
5. How does the work of the OMA influence our daily lives?
The World Customs Organization has a direct impact on people's daily lives, ensuring that products arrive safely, efficiently and legally. Its work facilitates trade, driving economic growth and creating jobs in many regions. While international trade and its logistics are complex, it is important to remember that organizations like the WCO are key to making everything run smoothly. That is why, as we commemorate International Customs Day, it is essential to recognize the work of the WCO, which works tirelessly for the common good and makes it possible for us to enjoy products from around the world in our daily lives.
6. Finally, what lies ahead for the WCO in the technological era?
In summary, the WCO’s leadership is seen as essential in this technological era, marked by the rise of e-commerce, the digitalisation of customs and the growing demands for security, trade facilitation and protection of intellectual property rights. In addition to defining international standards, the Organisation promotes strategic initiatives, such as the “Smart Customs Project”, which encourages the adoption of disruptive technologies and works to reduce the digital divide between member countries, consolidating a more efficient global customs system prepared for the challenges of the future. Through training, tools and cooperation programmes, the WCO helps its members adapt to this dynamic environment, strengthening both operational efficiency and security in supply chains. In this regard, it is essential to recognise that customs will play an increasingly decisive role in navigating the complex dynamics of international trade, not only by facilitating trade flows, but also by driving economic growth through process optimisation and the integration of new technologies.
For all these reasons, January 26 is an opportune date to celebrate the achievements of the WCO's noble mission, dedicated to the well-being and development of nations.
We wish you all a happy International Customs Day!
Find out more. For those who wish to familiarize themselves with the details, we invite them to explore the list of WCO members and check the accession dates of their countries at the following link ( https://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/wco-members.aspx ) . In addition, we invite you to reread the Tribute that we made from Aduana News on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Institution (access link: https://aduananews.com/organizacion-mundial-de-aduanas-un-breve-homenaje-en-su-70-aniversario/ ) and, if you are interested in delving deeper into the extraordinary history of customs and international trade, we recommend reading Dr. Héctor Juárez Allende's book on the WCO, with a foreword by Ricardo Treviño Chapa, Deputy Secretary General of the WCO. The work is currently on display in the institution's shop windows in three versions (Spanish, English and French). Essential reading for decision-makers and the general public. Shop
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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.