Customs+cooperation

One of the objectives of the trade facilitation negotiations at the WTO is to formulate provisions for effective cooperation between Customs or any other appropriate authorities on trade facilitation and Customs compliance issues. The other objective is to clarify and improve relevant aspects of Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT 1994, and to enhance technical assistance and support for capacity building in the area of trade facilitation.

Customs cooperation at the international level aims at improving control of trade flows and the enforcement of applicable laws and regulations through the exchange of information on Customs aspects such as export and import declaration data, trader-related information, origin and valuation-related information. Such data exchanges are based on mutual administrative assistance agreements. Customs cooperation also takes place at the international level through the World Customs Organization (formerly established as the Customs Cooperation Council) by establishing international Customs standards and harmonized procedures and by providing training and technical assistance to build the capacity of Customs to use these new instruments.

Customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance can play an important role in facilitating trade, as they are a major control element enabling Customs administrations to apply international settlements such as the WTO Valuation Agreement or the Agreement on the Rules of Origin.