GLOSSARY

World Customs Organization (WCO)

An intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, which works in areas covering the development of international conventions, instruments, and tools on topics such as commodity classification, valuation, rules of origin, and others.

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What is World Customs Organization (WCO)?

World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It was established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) and is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.

The WCO's responsibility is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations. Today, the WCO represents 185 Customs administrations throughout the world that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade.

The WCO's efforts are divided into four main areas:

Standardization: Develops and maintains international standards for Customs procedures and documentation.
Technical understanding: Provides technical assistance to Customs administrations in developing countries.
Enforcement: Combat Customs fraud and other forms of illegal activity.
Capacity building: Provides training and education programs to Customs officials.

While the WCO doesn't directly manage customs operations in individual countries, including the U.S., it plays an important role in facilitating international trade, which significantly impacts U.S. importers. They must be aware of the WCO's guidelines and standards to ensure smooth and compliant cross-border transactions.

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