July 30, 2023
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Free zones: types and benefits for business

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Free zone development differs from one country to another. Different countries use different types and concepts of free zones. In some countries, Free Zones are developed to stimulate incoming trade, as in the case of the US Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs), while in others, such as developing countries, they exist to stimulate export-oriented trade. In this article, we overview the various types of free zones and the benefits they provide for business. Editors' note: Mark Rowbotham, the author of this article, is the author of the book "Freeports and Free Zones: Operations and Regulation in the Global Economy".

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Recordkeeping
28-07-2024

Companies are legally required to keep records related to their import and export transactions. That includes commercial, customs and shipping documentation. The company needs to obtain some of the documents from its freight forwarder, customs broker or other parties involved.

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Recordkeeping
28-07-2024

Companies are legally required to keep records related to their import and export transactions. That includes commercial, customs and shipping documentation. The company needs to obtain some of the documents from its freight forwarder, customs broker or other parties involved.

Dossier
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Putting the partnership principle into practice: a look into Singapore Customs’ collaboration with authorities and stakeholders
23-02-2024

This year’s International Customs Day theme, “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”, resonates deeply with Singapore Customs. In the ever-evolving landscape of international trade, growing interdependence and technological advancements demand that we adapt, innovate and build meaningful partnerships to ensure efficient Customs procedures and smooth trade flows.

Dossier
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Putting the partnership principle into practice: a look into Singapore Customs’ collaboration with authorities and stakeholders
23-02-2024

This year’s International Customs Day theme, “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”, resonates deeply with Singapore Customs. In the ever-evolving landscape of international trade, growing interdependence and technological advancements demand that we adapt, innovate and build meaningful partnerships to ensure efficient Customs procedures and smooth trade flows.

Dossier
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Developing an Ecosystem of Trust at the UK border
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Sam Wright , Muiris Ó Floinn, Gavin McCann

Dossier
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Developing an Ecosystem of Trust at the UK border
23-02-2024

This article introduces the Ecosystem of Trust (EoT) project which aimed at testing whether the use of supply chain data, alongside technologies such as smart seals and smart containers, could be integrated into government systems to improve border processes. The project involved regulatory agencies, technology firms, logistics providers, academics and port operators and confirmed how vital it is for government and industry to work together to modernise the border.

Sam Wright , Muiris Ó Floinn, Gavin McCann

Panorama
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Misuse of ATA carnets: overview of Operation JUBILARIAN II
23-02-2024

In 2017, the Australian Border Force (ABF) conducted a project that identified a group of overseas jewellery merchants whose business model involved suspected repeated exploitation of the ATA carnet. The ATA carnet is an international Customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary admission of certain goods to countries that are part of the ATA carnet system for up to one year; including commercial samples, trade fair or exhibition goods and professional equipment.

Australian Border Force

Panorama
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Misuse of ATA carnets: overview of Operation JUBILARIAN II
23-02-2024

In 2017, the Australian Border Force (ABF) conducted a project that identified a group of overseas jewellery merchants whose business model involved suspected repeated exploitation of the ATA carnet. The ATA carnet is an international Customs document that permits duty-free and tax-free temporary admission of certain goods to countries that are part of the ATA carnet system for up to one year; including commercial samples, trade fair or exhibition goods and professional equipment.

Australian Border Force

Dossier
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Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose – Some thoughts about the theme of the year
22-02-2024

Each year, the WCO Secretariat invites the Organization’s Members to focus on a theme it considers critical to the effective and efficient delivery of their missions. In 2024, under the slogan “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”, the Secretariat is inviting Customs administrations both to reaffirm longstanding partnerships and to boldly forge new alliances.

Ian Saunders

Dossier
icon
Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose – Some thoughts about the theme of the year
22-02-2024

Each year, the WCO Secretariat invites the Organization’s Members to focus on a theme it considers critical to the effective and efficient delivery of their missions. In 2024, under the slogan “Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose”, the Secretariat is inviting Customs administrations both to reaffirm longstanding partnerships and to boldly forge new alliances.

Ian Saunders

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