The World Customs Organization (WCO) has called on heads of Customs administrations in 183 member states to provide input on how to address the challenges and come up with measures and advice to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Covid-19 has negatively affected borders – and as a result trade, travel and transport,” said WCO secretary General, Kunio Mikuriya.
“From a Customs point of view, we want to prevent and fight the spread of Covid-19 on the one hand, but on the other we want to safeguard supply chain continuity.”
Particularly challenging is the question of how to facilitate the movement of goods while applying appropriate risk management, says Mikuriya.
The WCO will also draw on private sector experience and advice.
“We have also created a special web page dedicated to Covid-19 where we try to share our advice, tools and best practices not only to Customs but also to the public.”
He said the immediate priority was to facilitate the movement of relief goods.
