Customs professional training and its implementation in Latin America: strategic relevance in the face of the transformation of global trade

I. Introduction

The contemporary customs function is undergoing an unprecedented structural transformation. The acceleration of e-commerce, the digitization of logistics processes, the fragmentation of global value chains, the increase in geopolitical conflicts, and the emergence of new transnational threats have substantially modified the operating environment of customs administrations. In Latin America, where foreign trade represents a significant proportion of gross domestic product in open economies such as Mexico, Chile, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, customs efficiency is a central element for economic competitiveness, fiscal stability, and the legal certainty of international trade.¹

In this context, the professionalization of customs personnel cannot be considered a secondary variable within institutional modernization processes. The adoption and effective implementation of international standards for customs professional training is a structural requirement to guarantee regulatory coherence, institutional legitimacy, and responsiveness to a dynamic global environment.

The World Customs Organization's (WCO) PICARD Programme (Partnerships in Customs Academic Research and Development) represents the most developed architecture of professional standardization in the customs field. However, the rapid evolution of international trade demands not only its systematic implementation in Latin America, but also its dynamic updating in the face of emerging challenges.

II. The international architecture of customs professionalization

The World Customs Organization, which comprises 186 customs administrations responsible for processing approximately 99% of global trade, has developed the PICARD Programme as a structural framework for professionalizing the sector. This programme establishes competency standards applicable to both strategic and operational levels of customs administration, integrating specialized technical knowledge, public management skills, and principles of ethics and integrity.

The standards require mastery of:

• The Marrakech Agreement and WTO instruments.
• The Revised Kyoto Convention.
• Rules on tariff classification, origin and valuation.
• Compliance management and control.
• Instruments of integrity and public ethics.

From a legal perspective, these standards constitute a technical normative framework that complements the international obligations assumed by States. They are not binding norms, but rather parameters of good international practice.

Currently, the WCO recognizes 16 universities and 26 academic programs aligned with PICARD. However, Latin American participation in this recognition is limited, reflecting a regional gap in the academic institutionalization of customs matters.

Professional standardization also facilitates cooperation between administrations.
customs, by promoting common frameworks of technical competence and interpretation
regulations.

III. Transformation of the global environment and training requirements

1. Evolution of the strategic role of customs

Customs agencies no longer operate exclusively as revenue-collecting or border control entities. Their role has expanded to include trade facilitation, social protection, national security, the implementation of environmental commitments, and inter-agency cooperation.

The emergence of international conflicts, trade wars, health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural disasters has tested the institutional resilience of customs administrations. Managing logistical crises and ensuring operational continuity require expertise in strategic planning, systemic risk analysis, and interagency coordination.

2. Evolution of crime and cybercrime

Transnational crime has incorporated digital tools, cryptocurrencies and
Electronic platforms to circumvent traditional controls. Cybercrimes linked to international trade, digital document forgery, and the use of artificial intelligence to refine evasion schemes pose new technical challenges.

Vocational training should incorporate skills in data analysis, digital research, cybersecurity, and international cooperation in customs intelligence.

3. Emerging Issues

The contemporary customs agenda includes dimensions that require updating
permanent:

• Disruptive technologies: Artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big data are redefining the
  risk management and selective control systems.
• Environmental protection and Green Customs: the implementation of commitments
  environmental issues require specialized knowledge in the trade of sensitive goods and
  multilateral regulations.
• Igender equality and diversity: Inclusive leadership strengthens legitimacy
  institutional and improves the quality of decision-making.
• Electronic commerce: In Latin America, it has grown at rates exceeding 20% ​​annually.
  Since 2020, Brazil and Mexico have accounted for more than 60% of the regional market.
  This phenomenon has exponentially increased the volume of low-value shipments, which
  It requires new skills in data analysis, artificial intelligence, and management.
  risks.
• Emergency management: In contexts of natural disasters, health emergencies or humanitarian crises, customs administrations must implement mechanisms that allow the rapid clearance of priority goods without compromising regulatory controls.

This requires trained personnel to implement exceptional facilitation procedures and coordinate effectively with other border authorities.

These challenges demonstrate that customs professionalization cannot be conceived as a static model.

IV. Leadership and institutional positioning

Strengthening customs leadership is crucial for the institution's standing vis-à-vis other government agencies. Customs interacts with tax, health, agricultural, environmental, and security authorities.

Training aligned with international standards strengthens technical authority, improves interagency coordination and ensures the consistent implementation of multilateral obligations.

The existence of multiple international organizations that address trade issues does not weaken the need for customs standards; on the contrary, it increases the demand for technical coherence and professionalization.

V. Comparative overview in Latin America

The entry into force of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2017 legally consolidated the obligation to modernize procedures, make rules transparent and strengthen inter-institutional cooperation.

Latin America shows uneven progress in implementing the Agreement:

Country	Percentage of customs revenue as a percentage of tax revenue 4	Implementation of the AFC 5
Argentina	8 - 10%	88%
Bolivia	20 - 25%	78%
Brazil	18 - 22%	85%
Chile	10 - 12%	98%
Colombia	15 - 18%	82%
Costa Rica	12 - 15%	86%
Cuba	18 - 22%	70%
Dominican Republic	18 - 22%	75%
Ecuador	15 - 18%	85%
El Salvador	20 - 25%	80%
Guatemala	30 - 35%	70%
Honduras	25 - 30%	72%
Mexico	12 - 14%	95%
Nicaragua	25 - 30%	74%
Panama	18 - 22%	85%
Paraguay	15 - 18%	83%
Peru	14 - 16%	80%
Uruguay	10 - 12%	92%
Venezuela	20 - 25%	65%

Analysis of this data reveals a direct relationship between fiscal dependence on foreign trade and the need for robust technical capabilities. Countries with a higher proportion of customs revenue require solid training systems to ensure efficient tax collection and legal certainty.

The effective implementation of these provisions depends not only on technological infrastructure, but also on the technical and legal capacity of customs personnel to interpret and apply international standards. In this context, professional training based on international standards becomes a key element in reducing the existing institutional capacity gaps among customs administrations in the region.

VI. Customs academic training and university development in Latin America

In Latin America, university-level training in customs matters has grown primarily within programs of international trade, logistics and supply chain, international economic law, and public administration. However, the academic offerings specializing in customs studies themselves remain more limited than in Europe. Many programs include modules or specializations in customs, but they do not always constitute complete academic programs dedicated exclusively to customs management.

However, over the last decade there has been significant growth in programs related to international trade and trade facilitation, driven by the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, the digitization of international trade, and the increasing complexity of border management.

However, in several countries in the region, high political turnover in management positions persists, along with the lack of mandatory professional certification and reactive training based on ad hoc workshops. This disparity directly impacts institutional stability and the continuity of reforms.

In Europe, for example, several universities have developed advanced programs in customs and border management. Academic institutions in countries such as Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands have incorporated specialized courses in customs regulations, supply chain security, and trade facilitation into postgraduate programs in international trade.

This regional difference highlights a strategic opportunity for Latin America: to strengthen cooperation between universities, customs administrations and international organizations in order to expand specialized academic programs aligned with global standards.

The consolidation of a regional network of academic programs in customs matters would contribute not only to the development of institutional capacities, but also to the generation of applied research that allows addressing the contemporary challenges of international trade.

VII. Professionalization and legal guarantees

Customs professional training transcends the purely technical or operational sphere. In reality, it constitutes a central element for strengthening the rule of law.
In international trade management, professionalization contributes to the correct application of regulations, regulatory predictability, and the institutional legitimacy of customs administrations. In this sense, professionalization directly impacts various legal and administrative principles, including:

1. 1. Principle of legality – Technical training reduces discretion
      improper and strengthens the correct application of customs regulations.

1. 1. Legal security – Interpretive uniformity generates predictability for
      economic operators, reducing uncertainty in operations
      cross-border.

1. 1. Reduction of administrative litigation – Technical errors in
      classification, origin, or valuation generate controversy, therefore the
      Professionalization reduces litigation and institutional costs.

1. 1. Good governance and accountability – Ethics training and
      Integrity strengthens internal control and transparency mechanisms, consolidating
      public trust.

1. 1. Economic competitiveness – a professionalized customs system helps to reduce
      dispatch times and improve investment climate.

VIII. Conclusion

Training is a key element in modernizing customs management, but it must be
relevant, up-to-date and aligned with the real demands of international trade.
It is essential to strengthen the people behind the scenes, both in the public sector and elsewhere.
as in the private sector. Professional customs training is key to effective management
efficient and globalized.

The effective implementation of international standards for vocational training
Customs and the promotion of continuous learning strengthen security and competitiveness
of international trade. PICARD represents a solid foundation for professionalization,
But the rapid evolution of the international environment demands its dynamic updating and its
systematic application.

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Notes and references

1. According to World Bank data, international trade in goods and services (exports + imports) represented approximately 78% of GDP in Mexico, around 60-65% in Chile, more than 80% in Panama, and approximately 52% in the Dominican Republic in recent years, reflecting the high degree of trade openness of these economies.

2 WCO, official institutional information: https://www.wcoomd.org

3 OMA, PICARD Overview: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/capacity-building/activities-and-
programs/people-development/learning/development-programmes/cb_picard_overview.aspx

4. ECLAC, Fiscal Panorama of Latin America: https://www.cepal.org

5. WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: https://tfadatabase.org

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