Source: WCO
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) have consolidated their commitment to facilitating global trade and transport through the signature of a Joint Declaration at the first WCO–UPU Global Conference, held in Tokyo from 6 to 8 June 2023 and hosted by the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan Customs and Japan Post. The declaration sets out common objectives in the areas of digitalization, data exchange, supply chain security and capacity building.
The conference, organized as the first significant step under a Cooperation Agreement signed by the two organizations in May 2022, offered a platform to exchange information, experiences, expertise and best practices, while increasing awareness of the Customs and postal regulatory frameworks, mandates and available instruments and tools. Under the overall theme of “Challenges and opportunities for cross-border e-commerce through Customs and postal cooperation”, participants deliberated on various topics relating to common challenges and cooperation opportunities between Customs, Posts, government authorities and wider sector stakeholders. These topics included electronic advance data (EAD) and policy standardization and harmonization.
Implementing EAD with reliable quality, leveraging digitization and technology, and achieving greater synergy at all levels were identified as key factors in ensuring improved Customs procedures, increased compliance and the greater efficiency, safety and security of the global postal chain.
This is an excerpt from the article available here.