A new treaty aims to turn the idea of cross-border paperless trade into a reality Feb 20 marks the entry into force of a new international agreement promoting paperless trade, a timely reminder of how the COVID-19 pandemic has brought digital solutions to regional development challenges into the limelight. Paperless trade across borders has proven an effective way to mitigate trade disruptions since the onset of the crisis, enabling commerce to continue while limiting physica

The government will reduce trade restrictions and red tape to facilitate the import and export process during the COVID-19 outbreak. Starting April 20, the customs department will reduce customs duties for businesses operating with the Myanmar Automated Cargo Clearance System (MACCS). Paperwork will also be streamlined, with an electronic version of Form D for preferential tariff treatment in Asean to be issued to simplify procedures between all the Asean countries. VIEW ART

Hundreds arrested in crackdown on terrorist routes in Southeast Asia - More than 130 human trafficking victims rescued in Operation Maharlika III SINGAPORE: An INTERPOL-led operation codenamed ‘Maharlika III’ saw law enforcement from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP) deploy to strategic points along known terrorist transit routes in Southeast Asia in a series of simultaneous law enforcement and border control actions. The coordinated move – from 24 Februa

GTDW wholeheartedly endorse and congratulate our partners from The World Customs Organisation led by Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya to lead the coordinated approach across the 180+ members. The WCO Secretariat, in line with its mandate, has published a dedicated webpage to update Members and the general public about WCO’s tools, instruments, recommendations, as well as an HS Classification reference document for COVID-19 medical supplies among others. WCO Secretary Gene

Industry leaders will give their perspectives on how to improve the Australian Customs System through the establishment of the Customs Advisory Board (the Board) The Board, whose ten members were selected from across Australian industry, will provide advice to the Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner as the ABF takes forward customs and border modernisation. “By creating a board of industry leaders with significant expertise in trade and travel, and seeking their advice

Welcome back to the new year and a new decade for The 4th GTDW Anti Illicit Trade, Brand & IPR Protection Conference + GTDW Trade Facilitation, Compliance & Digitalisation Conference & Exhibition our biggest edition to date returns to Shanghai Pudong, China from 16-18 June, presented in English & Mandarin as part of the 19th Edition of Global Trade Development Week. Theme: Digitalization, Standardization & Interoperability of Technologies. 800 International delegates, 80 Spea

PTI govt approves $250m loan proposal for trade reforms “The government has decided to introduce the Pakistan Single Window Bill 2019 to facilitate cross-border trade,” an official said, adding that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet would be briefed on the issue in a meeting on Wednesday. ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, being a signatory to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has decided to introduce a bill for creating a single window in order to facilitate cross

There have been a number of significant changes at the Korean Customs Service (“KCS”) in the last 12 months, with amendments to the Guidelines for Customs Clearance of International Mail Import and Guidelines for Protection of IP Rights in Customs Clearance of Imports and Exports respectively taking effect in November 2018 and January 2019. Below we provide an overview of the revisions most relevant to tackling the import of counterfeit goods, as well as the preliminary resul