The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations, and aids the national economic wealth and social protection of its Members by promoting an honest, transparent and predictable Customs environment. This permits legitimate international trade to flourish effective action to be taken against illegal activity.

The WCO was established in 1952 as the Customs Cooperation Council, and with 165 Members Governments, it is the only intergovernmental worldwide organization competent in Customs matters.

The mission of the WCO is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations and in order to fulfill this mission, the World Customs Organization:

• Establishes, maintains and promotes international instruments for the harmonization and uniform application of simplified and effective Customs systems and procedures governing the movement of commodities, people and conveyances across Customs frontiers;
• Reinforces Members efforts to secure compliance with their legislation, by endeavoring to maximize the level of effectiveness of Members co-operation with each other and with international organizations in order to combat Customs and other transnational offences;
• Assists Members in their efforts to meet the challenges of the modern business environment and adapt to changing circumstances, by promoting communication and co-operation among Members and with other international organizations, and by fostering integrity, human resource development, transparency, improvements in the management and working methods of Customs administrations and the sharing of best practices.

The history of the WCO began in 1947, when the thirteen European Governments represented in the Committee for European Economic Co-operation agreed to set up a Study Group. This Group examined the possibility of establishing one or more inter-European Customs Unions based on the principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

In 1948, the Study Group set up two committees an Economic Committee and a Customs Committee. The Economic Committee was the predecessor of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OEDC), the Customs Committee became the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC).

In 1952, the Convention formally establishing the CCC came into force. The Council is the governing body of the CCC and the inaugural Session of the Council was held in Brussels on 26 January 1953. Representatives of seventeen European countries attended the first Council Session of the CCC.

After years of membership growth, in 1994 the Council adopted the working name of World Customs Organization, to more clearly reflect its transition to a truly global intergovernmental institution. It is now the voice of 165 Customs administration which operate on all continents and represent all stages of economic development. Today, WCO Members are responsible for processing more than 95% of all international trade.

For further information, please visit WCO Web site: http://www.wcoomd.org/.