On 21 January 2025, the World Customs Organization (WCO) advised that on 16 January 2025, the Administrative Committee for the Customs Convention on Containers, 1972, had met online for its 20th session. The session will be formally closed on 07 February 2025, with the adoption of the meeting report.
The Customs Convention on Containers, 1972 (Container Convention) is a United Nations convention administered by the WCO. The Convention provides temporary admission facilities for containers. It outlines the technical conditions for containers for transporting goods under the Customs seal.
More than 120 delegates registered for the 20th Session of the Administrative Committee, including representatives of twenty (20) Contracting Parties, twenty-seven (27) WCO Member Customs administrations that are not Contracting Parties to the Convention, and private sector entities.
The digital transformation of the supply chain was a key topic, highlighted by a presentation from the International Bureau of Containers (BIC) on new standards and data-driven initiatives supporting Customs-Business Partnerships. BIC introduced the Global Container Geofence Library (GCGL), which improves visibility and control over container movements at ocean terminals, enhancing global trade security and efficiency. There was a panel discussion with private sector representatives from Maersk, AELER, and Traxens. Through a panel discussion, the meeting also explored trends in supply chain digitalisation, emphasising data interoperability and identifying roles for Customs administrations and the WCO in supporting this transformation.
The Administrative Committee received an update on the key outcomes of the November 2024 International Symposium on Optimising Container Design to Mitigate Pest Contamination Risks. The symposium revealed that global surveys had identified significant plant pest risks associated with the worldwide movement of sea containers. It emphasised the need for practical modifications to container designs to address these risks. It announced the formation of a working group to drive this initiative forward.
Furthermore, the Committee discussed intersessional developments of relevance to the work of the Committee, including the finalisation of the Study Report on Smart Security Devices, updates to the Guidelines on Cooperation between Customs and Port Authorities, and the ongoing review of the SAFE Framework of Standards, scheduled for completion in June 2025. Additionally, future work on developing guidelines for return-refill containers under the Green Customs Action Plan was outlined.
The Committee held discussions on the development of effective Customs control and monitoring mechanisms for containers brought into the Customs territory under temporary admission, a topic similar to one that had been discussed at the previous meeting in January 2023. Lastly, the Committee received a progress report on the implementation of activities outlined in its Work Programme for the period from 01 July 2022 to 30 June 2025.