January 26th is International Customs Day, recognized all over the world and especially at the World Customs Organization (WCO) in Brussels. On this day, the WCO will dedicate 2023 to “Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs.” This is a theme close to the IFCBA and its members around the world, as Customs experts and Customs practitioners.
We are asking all IFCBA members to join in the celebration of International Customs Day on January 26. How about a message to all of your members, and from your members to their clients and other contacts in the trade community? Will you send a message of congratulations to your Customs administrations?
Note that we will have a message available from the WCO on International Customs Day which will be available to you, so please check your messages and the IFCBA website for more information!
The international trade community depends on the work done by customs brokers and the IFCBA serves customs brokers by keeping them at the centre of the international trading system. Customs brokers make borders work by managing data, managing relationships and managing complexity, in both the developed and developing world, for both large and small business.
As global trade has increased, the importance of customs brokers to business has also been assuming greater importance. Customs brokers play a key role in facilitating the flow of goods across frontiers, through a maze of security and regulatory requirements and do this on behalf of the vast majority of companies involved in international trade, worldwide.
In support of the WCO’s 2023 commitment to knowledge-sharing, Customs brokers possess wide-ranging skills and deep knowledge about trade processes and procedures, including classification, valuation, rules of origin, admissibility requirements, duty rates, taxes and supply chain security. Organizations such as the World Bank now recognize that this knowledge base contributes directly to trade facilitation across borders and has encouraged the implementation of effective customs broker management mechanisms in capacity building efforts. Professional customs brokers plus customs modernization directly supports trade facilitation.
The IFCBA is very excited by this year’s WCO theme; Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs. We would adapt this slightly: . . . promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs brokers.
Join us in celebrating International Customs Day!