Air cargo/global logistics: TIACA and WCO pen key deal regarding security

The World Customs Organization (WCO) and The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help identify how the air cargo industry can assist in priority Customs objectives and to discuss how these can be best achieved with minimum disruption to commercial operations.

The new agreement aims to keep customs and the air cargo industry better informed of each other’s developments and requirements through a wide-ranging exchange of dialogue and documentation.

“We want to foster and encourage consultation and co-operation at national and regional levels with WCO member administrations to promote modernization at the Customs/trade operational interface and to explain the ways we can assist and promote WCO policies and objectives,” he added.

The WCO has agreed to attend relevant TIACA meetings to discuss its objectives and will provide technical committee responses to submissions from TIACA on specific customs/air cargo issues. It will also support practices and procedures by member customs administrations that present minimum disruption to time-sensitive commercial operations and ensure similar future co-operation.

As part of its commitment, the WCO will also provide greater notice to TIACA of meetings or projects that could utilize the special expertise and operational resources of TIACA members in measures designed to heighten commercial and Customs standards and advance common interests in compliance and facilitation.

In return, TIACA representatives will attend WCO meetings as observers and will use this opportunity to express members’ views. It will also participate in specialist WCO Working Groups and ad hoc groups relevant to TIACA’s interests.