The WCO promotes the digitization of certificates of origin to strengthen the security of foreign trade

 

International Customs Day 2026 focuses on vigilance and digital engagement

 

La Organización Mundial de Aduanas (OMA) celebrated the International Customs Day Under the motto "Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment," this anniversary commemorates the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council in 1953, consolidating an entity that today brings together 187 customs administrations responsible for 98% of global trade.

 

In the current scenario of global business, the OMA has intensified its efforts to transform border operations. Although this year's focus is on societal protection and sustainable growth, the agency's technical roadmap points directly to the full digitization of customs processes, with special emphasis on the interoperability of origin documents.

 

Towards the end of paper: The Interconnectivity Framework for Certificates of Origin

 

To strengthen security and efficiency in the Free Trade Agreements, the OMA It promotes the use of the "Interconnectivity Framework for Certificates of Origin." This technical framework enables the creation of electronic platforms capable of verifying data in real time, eliminating the vulnerabilities of physical media and directly combating document fraud in international supply chains.

 

The system is based on the WCO Data Model (version 4.2.0), which establishes strict cybersecurity protocols and electronic signatures. According to statements from Chunxiao Xu, Technical Attaché of Origin of the OMA, there is a “need for a common language for electronic certificates of origin”This underscores the urgency of global standardization to facilitate the foreign trade.

 

A snapshot of global customs digitization

 

The most recent data managed by the organization shows uneven but steady progress towards the dematerialization of processes. Currently, dozens of administrations have already implemented hybrid or fully digital systems, as detailed in the following comparative table of current technological capabilities:

 

Implementation Status	Number of Administrations
Issuance of electronic certificates (along with paper)	48
Active data exchange systems	22
Exchange systems under development	9

 

The implementation of these systems not only reduces dispatch times, but also guarantees a push data exchange much safer. Among the main advantages highlighted by the OMA are:

 

• Drastic reduction in fraud through instant digital verification.
• Streamlining logistics international by reducing physical bureaucracy.
• Greater transparency in the application of preferential tariffs.
• Interoperability between various global customs platforms.

 

Upcoming milestones: Brussels and online training

 

The 2026 agenda includes critical steps for consolidating these standards. OMA It plans to launch a specialized online course this year, in addition to organizing the Global Forum on Self-Certification of Origin in February 2026, which will take place in BruselasThese events aim to train operators and officials in the use of new digital tools that will define the future of the industry. Capabilities business

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about digitization at the WCO

How important is January 26th for global logistics?

It represents the creation of Customs Cooperation Council in 1953, an entity that today coordinates the security and trade facilitation standards of 187 countries under the name of Organización Mundial de Aduanas.

What does the "push" exchange of customs data consist of?

It is a technical protocol based on the WCO Data Model which allows the proactive and secure sending of digital information between administrations, guaranteeing the authenticity of certificates of origin without the need for physical documents.

What are the benefits of digitizing certificates according to the WCO?

The main benefits include the fraud reduction, streamlining border processes and greater legal certainty in compliance with international free trade agreements.