Background
The World Customs Organization (WCO) Council convened its 147th/148th session in Brussels from 25 to 27 June 2026, with in-person participation from 187 member customs administrations and representation from multiple international organisations.
The General Department of Customs and Excise led Cambodia’s delegation to the Council session and took part in plenary and panel discussions on topics such as HS 2028 revisions, ATA Carnet digital mechanisms, and cross-border enforcement cooperation. The WCO Secretariat reported progress on implementing the WCO Strategic Plan 2025–2026 and on member-level preparations for dissemination and implementation of HS 2028 amendments.
Scope of Application
This Council session and its outcomes apply to WCO member customs administrations and inform national customs regulatory practices, tariff classification (HS), temporary admission procedures (ATA Carnet), and international enforcement cooperation. Cambodia’s customs administration participates in WCO decision-making as a national implementing authority for customs rules relevant to imports, exports, and cross-border controls.
Key Provisions or Decisions
WCO Secretariat updates highlighted five implementation areas: (1) progress on the WCO Strategic Plan 2025–2026; (2) dissemination and planned implementation support for HS 2028 amendments; (3) updates to guidance on customs release and transit procedures; (4) expansion of electronic ATA Carnet systems and related facilitation measures; and (5) results from multinational enforcement operations, cited examples included Operation Thunder and Global Gateway. The Council also held panel discussions focused on treating data as a strategic asset for customs administrations and on strengthening the role of customs in border protection against illicit trade and cross-border crime.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Businesses engaged in trade with Cambodia should monitor WCO-driven changes to HS classifications and temporary admission procedures, because those changes can alter tariff treatment and procedural requirements at import and export. Cambodia’s customs emphasis on data-driven controls and electronic ATA Carnet tools indicates a regulatory trend toward greater digitalisation of customs procedures and closer interoperability with partner administrations, which may affect compliance workflows for traders and logistics providers.
Official Source
Primary source: General Department of Customs and Excise (Cambodia) Facebook post summarising participation in the WCO Council, 25–27 June 2026. Source URL: https://www.facebook.com/cambodiacustoms/posts/pfbid0ShXfhU92uVJ7aG7zW9eEhog432SRvbbDoqFTPcDBzFssk1U7Hc3LiUDyvberN9TVl
