On 08 June 2026, the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced that members had examined several questions related to preshipment inspection (PSI) at the meeting of the Committee on Customs Valuation. Drawing on recent private-sector input and member experiences, the discussions focused on future committee work related to PSI and how to address PSI issues going forward. The committee also examined 34 customs valuation notifications submitted by members for review, as well as a trade concern raised by one member.
PSI inspection refers to the practice by governments of employing specialised private companies to check shipment details - essentially price, quantity and quality – of imported goods. The WTO’s PSI Inspection Agreement
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/preship_e/preship_e.htm
recognises that WTO principles and obligations apply to preshipment inspection agencies mandated by governments and obliges governments that use such services to respect principles such as non-discrimination, transparency and the protection of confidential business information.
Members heard a report from the committee chair on an informal session on 20 April 2026, which included presentations from private-sector speakers on issues and challenges related to PSI requirements. The session included presentations from Cambodia on its implementation of PSI arrangements and from Pakistan on its PSI Administration. The WTO Secretariat also provided a historical overview of the PSI Agreement and the Independent Entity, which was established under the PSI Agreement to help resolve disputes between preshipment inspection agencies and exporters.
The report generated an engaged discussion among delegations in attendance about possible follow-up actions. Several members welcomed the report and requested follow-up on issues such as updating PSI notifications and modernising the Independent Entity. A suggestion was also made for thematic sessions to hear from inspection companies and business representatives on current PSI arrangements.
These suggestions are expected to be taken up in informal consultations with the next committee chair.
Notifications
The committee reviewed 34 notifications on members’ Customs valuation legislation, including the first from Côte d’Ivoire. The committee concluded reviews of the Customs valuation legislation of five members (Belize, The Gambia, Moldova, Nepal and Paraguay).
The chair noted that 121 members had notified their national legislation on Customs valuation, and that 95 members had provided responses to the checklist of issues regarding implementation of the Customs Valuation Agreement (CVA).
World Customs Organization, International Chamber of Commerce
As part of the standing agenda item of the meeting, a representative from the World Customs Organization (WCO) reported on the latest developments at the WCO’s Technical Committee on Customs Valuation, including questions posed by members in their implementation of the CVA. The representative also referred to presentations by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on circular economy, carbon credits and e-commerce fulfilment centres.
Trade concern
For the second time, Indonesia raised concerns about Mexico’s implementation of estimated prices for customs valuation purposes. Mexico replied that estimated prices were used to crack down on import tax evasion, not to determine the customs value of imported products.
Next meeting
The next formal meeting of the committee will take place on 23 November 2026.