International Customs Day 2022: Every year on January 26th, International Customs Day recognizes the role of custom officials and agencies in maintaining the flow of goods across the world’s borders.
On this day, members of the World Customs Organization (WCO) also showcase their efforts and activities.
Customs is the agency in a country responsible for collecting tariffs. Customs also controls the flow of goods into and out of the country.
These goods can be anything from animals to hazardous materials to personal items.
The WCO helps make customs administrations around the world more efficient. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the organization consists of 182 members from all over the world.
Three-quarters of the members are from developing countries. They are responsible for managing more than 98% of world trade.
The WCO believes that while borders divide, customs connect. Their mission is to provide leadership, guidance, and support to customs administrations.
They also believe that customs help to meet the economic, social, and environmental needs of our planet. In turn, customs contribute to a sustainable future.
History of International Customs Day:
The Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) held its inaugural session on January 26th, 1953.
Members from seventeen European countries attended the event in Brussels. In 1983, the CCC created International Customs Day.
The day celebrated the 30th anniversary of the first CCC session. In 1994, the CCC was renamed the WCO.
Today, the WCO is the only international body dedicated exclusively to international customs and border control matters.
How is ICD observed?
Members of the World Customs Organization actively participate in observing this special day by exhibiting their efforts, endeavors and activities.
The day is celebrated by giving due importance to the customs employees; by organizing appreciation events whereby officials are recognized for their contribution, exceptional service in the domain.
Through speeches, conducting workshops, educational seminars the occasion finds its proper culmination.
Some facts about International Customs Day:
- It was on January 26, 1953 that the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) had held its inaugural session in Brussels which was attended by representatives from 17 European countries.
- International Customs Day was created by CCC in 1983.
- In 1994, CCC was renamed as World Customs Organization (WCO).
- WCO is the only international body looking after international customs and matters concerning border control.
- WCO has head-quarter in Brussels, Belgium.
- WCO currently has custom organizations from 182 countries as its members.
- More than 98% of world trade is administered by WCO.
Recent themes for the day have included:
- 2021: Customs bolstering recovery, renewal and resilience
- 2020: Customs fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity, and the Planet.
- 2019: SMART borders for seamless Trade, Travel, and Transport.
- 2018: A Secure business environment for economic development.
- 2017: Data Analysis for Effective Border Management
- 2016: Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement.
- 2015: Coordinated Border Management An inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders.
International Customs Day 2022: Theme
The WCO is dedicating 2022 to scaling up “Customs Digital Transformation by Embracing a Data Culture and Building a Data Ecosystem”.
