It was inaugurated on Monday in Lima, the capital of Peru. April 21, 2026, the Regional Customs Conference of the Americas and the Caribbean, which brings together customs authorities from the region for two days within the framework of the World Customs Organization (WCO), along with an exchange forum with the private sector as part of the annual work agenda.
The meeting, corresponding to the XXVIII edition, is organized by the National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration (SUNAT), in its capacity as Regional Vice-President of the World Customs Organization (OMA) for the Americas and the Caribbean, and aims to strengthen operational cooperation, promote the modernization of customs administrations and foster a shared vision for the region.
In that context, the opening ceremony was attended by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ian Saunders, and the head of SUNAT, Javier Franco Castillo.
Throughout the conference, the directors general exchanged experiences on the implementation of strategic initiatives, within the framework of the regional work agenda of the meeting, which functions as a space for technical dialogue and consensus building to strengthen a common vision of 21st Century Customs.
During the sessions, the customs administrations addressed issues related to the security, such as risk management and the modernization of control systems, as well as the trade facilitation and the use of technologies applied to customs operations, with emphasis on data analysis and information exchange between countries.
Challenges associated with the evolution of international trade flows were also discussed, including the e-commerce and the need to strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms in the face of illicit trade.
Relevant decisions
One of the highlights of the match was the election of Brazil as Regional Vice-President of the World Customs Organization (WCO) for the Americas and the Caribbean, for the 2026–2028 cycle, according to sources from the Federal Revenue Service.
In parallel, working groups are being developed between customs administrations of the Americas and the Caribbean, together with international organizations that support the technical agenda.
Forum with the private sector
The private sector is an essential component of the World Customs Organization's institutional structure. In this regard, the Regional Private Sector Group operates in the Americas and the Caribbean region.
This On April 22nd, the VI Joint Customs Forum – Regional Group of the Private Sector of the Americas and the Caribbean takes place, an advisory body made up of representatives from customs administrations and the business sector, intended to ensure that businesses have a structured voice and a dialogue with the customs sector in the formulation of customs policies, thereby strengthening international trade.
Within this framework, the space is geared towards the exchange on logistics chain security, trade facilitation and operational coordination between public and private actors.
Participating authorities
Participants include the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ian Saunders; regional customs directors; and representatives from the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Jamaica, as well as international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Thus, the meeting consolidates a space for coordination and cooperation between customs administrations and actors in international trade, within the framework of the work agenda of the World Customs Organization in the Americas and the Caribbean region.
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.
