Customs day is on 26 January 2015.
On 17 November 2014 the Secretary General of the WCO, Kunio Mikuriya, announced that 2015 would be dedicated to promoting Coordinated Border Management under the slogan “Coordinated Border Management - An inclusive approach for connecting stakeholders”.
WCO Members will have the opportunity to promote the enhanced coordination practices and mechanisms that they have implemented within their administrations and with other Customs administrations and government agencies, as well as with economic operators involved in cross-border trade.
The term Coordinated Border Management (CBM) refers to a cooperative approach by border control agencies, both at the national and international level, in the context of seeking greater efficiencies over managing trade and travel flows, while maintaining a balance with compliance requirements.
CBM can result in more effective service delivery, less duplication, cost-savings through economies of scale, enhanced risk management with fewer but better targeted interventions, cheaper transport costs, less waiting times, lower infrastructure improvement costs, more wider sharing of information and intelligence, and strengthened connectivity between all border stakeholders.
It is prudent for all border agencies to work together for the common good despite varying regulatory mandates. With this in mind, the WCO and Customs administrations have long supported the notion of CBM, which aims to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the multiple public service functions.
Over the course of 2015, WCO members will be encouraged to promote and share information on their domestic and international coordination efforts with other border functions entities.
This year’s theme will be launched on International Customs Day, celebrated annually by the global Customs community in honour of the inaugural session of the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) which took place on 26 January 1953.