One of the highlights of the annual World Customs Organization (WCO) Council events is a photo contest, in which delegates vote for their favourite photos among those submitted by WCO members.  It is always interesting to see how many of these photos feature Customs dogs at work, and it is also interesting to see how Customs administrations portray themselves in the photos and their captions.  This year, many of the photos reflected themes relevant to Customs administrations’ responses to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: World Economic Forum

COVID-19 lockdown measures hit aspects of trade hard. Merchandise trade volumes shrank by 3% in the first quarter of 2020, compared to the previous year average and estimates suggest an 18.5% drop for the second quarter. Services trade has been hampered by transport, travel and physical contact restrictions.

Source: World Economic Forum

• The coronavirus crisis has revealed the fragility of the modern supply chain.

• Recent data shows the devastating economic impact as week-on-week trade in China, the US and Europe halved because of the crisis.

• Diverse sourcing and digitization will be the key to building stronger, smarter supply chains and ensuring a lasting recovery.

Source: The Economic Times

Beijing has sought clarity from Delhi on imports from China getting stuck as they were being subjected to 100% examination. Domestic industry lobby groups have complained that the resultant supply chain disruption comes at a bad time as companies are reopening after the lockdown.

“The Chinese government has communicated to the Indian side that Chinese companies are facing supply chain issues owing to the recent move,” said a person familiar with the matter.

Source: WCO

The WCO Secretariat has published an updated version of the Comparative Study on Certification of Origin. The study captures the present state of affairs regarding certification of origin, both in the areas of non-preferential origin as well as preferential origin. 

Source: Outlook

Exporters will now have to present only digital copies of shipping bills bearing final let export order and gatepass to customs authorities as the CBIC has launched paperless documentation of exports, a move aimed at saving time and cost of compliance for trade.

Source: Indian Transport & Logisitcs News

From customs broker to door-to-door logistics; and through knowledge and right people, such is the story remembered by Mihir Bhadkamkar of ATC Group about his father’s journey with the company.

Source: ICC

ICC is calling upon governments to resolve customs challenges faced by small businesses by adopting concrete measures.

COVID-19 has severely disrupted supply chains around the world with businesses of all sizes still coming to grips with border closures, trade restrictions, travel bans, and necessary public lockdowns. Despite the gradual re-opening of many economies, formidable logistical challenges remain and are likely to become the “new normal” for businesses.

Source: MarketScreener

WTO Members thanked the Secretariat for the list of government notifications relating to COVID-19 which have been submitted to the Committee as well as the communications outlining unilateral measures aimed at facilitating trade during the pandemic. It was noted that while the number of notifications by WTO members has been increasing, there was still room for improvement in making timely submissions in line with WTO rules and in providing prompt responses to information requests from the Secretariat.

The WCO Permanent Technical Committee is meeting virtually for the first time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  One of the agenda items is the “Role of Customs in Mitigating the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic” and IFCBA Secretary Carol West has provided the following comments on behalf of the IFCBA to encourage the continuation of Customs-Business Partnership arrangements and consultation during this difficult time.