International Customs Day 2024; January 26th.

FORUM: “Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose.” International Customs Day 2024. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is dedicating 2024 to . 4 to Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose. The Secretariat is inviting Members to look at how they support newly-recruited officers, facilitate the sharing of knowledge, and heighten the sense of pride in being part of this institution and of the global Customs community. The WCO Members will have the opportunity to showcase the efforts and activities in this domain. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #InternationalCustomsDay, #26January, #Customs.

EVENTS: While the observance of the International Customs Day 2024 is on January 26th, this date is even more special as it marks the Anniversary of the WCO - a unique Organization dedicated to international cooperation and the sharing of knowledge.

UPCOMMING CONFERENCES: Register to participate to the WCO Global AEO Conference 2024 which will be held from 8 to 10 May 2024 in Shenzhen, China. the 6th WCO Global AEO Conference will explore the theme of "Harnessing the Power of AEO Programmes for Inclusive and Sustainable Global Trade." This global 3-day event will bring together key stakeholders from around the world to delve into the transformative potential of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes. Experience insightful plenary sessions, engaging discussions on empowering women in global trade, leveraging technology for risk management and trade facilitation, and much more. The Exhibition, running in parallel to the Conference, offers ample opportunities for networking and gaining detailed insights concerning the AEO programmes all over the world. Do not miss this unique opportunity to shape the future of AEO programmes and their impact on global trade. Follow us on social media using #WCOAEO2024 for updates and join us in Shenzhen to be part of this dynamic conversation.

PUBLICATIONS: Get the following resources to read about Customs!

The Harmonized System (a Universal Language for International Trade) allows a world of many languages to speak with one. It enables the identification of thousands of products that cross our borders thanks to its 6 digits hierarchical structures. It is a multipurpose nomenclature and a reference for trade, the HS is one of the most successful instruments developed by the World Customs Organization. Its Convention has 156 Contracting Parties and the HS is used by more than 200 countries, territories and Customs or Economic Unions. It forms the basis for Customs tariffs and statistical nomenclatures around the world, and is used for around 98% of world trade.


This fourth volume deals with the Global Information and Intelligence Strategy developed by the Secretariat of the World Customs Organization together with Customs Administrations Members of WCO. It is a summary document which sets out the framework for an information and intelligence management plan aimed at optimizing controls on the cross-frontier movement of goods and facilitating legitimate trade. This material is intended both for Customs administrations and for their partners, being both the sources and the users of information and intelligence.


The World Customs Organization (WCO) Handbook on HS Classification is an essential introduction to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as the Harmonized System or HS. This 3rd edition 2022 of the HS Manual expands on the previous 2013 version in several ways and will be of interest to experts and beginners alike. It explains the origins of the Harmonized System, the complete procedure leading to classification decisions, sets out the provisions for its maintenance and describes the complementary publications of the Harmonized System.


The Compendium of Classification Opinions regroups the list of classification opinions taken by the Harmonized System Committee. Most of these classification opinions are present at a sub-heading level (6 digits) in the Nomenclature and address the classification of products such as “Mozzarella cheese” 0406.10. The Classification Opinions aim to facilitate the interpretation of the HS Nomenclature and its Explanatory Notes. For the last 35 years, the Harmonized System has become a universal customs language for classifying goods and is the foundation of all National tariff around the world.


Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System 2022 are interpretative texts developed by the Harmonized System Committee and adopted by the Council. They provide technical descriptions of goods and practical indications for the classification and identification of products.

STATEMENTS: Message by the Secretary-General of the WCO on International Customs Day 2024; January 26th.