# WCO Cargo Targeting System

*Last updated: 2026-06-18*

> At border checkpoints, the WCO Cargo Targeting System is applied before a shipment undergoes physical inspection.

At border checkpoints, the WCO Cargo Targeting System is applied before a shipment undergoes physical inspection. The World Customs Organization (WCO) platform automatically processes structured customs declaration data and cross-references it against risk profiles, anomaly patterns, and intelligence from government, industry, and law enforcement sources. Selection is driven by predefined parameters—suspicious routing, specific commodity categories, or flagged trading relationships—rather than random sampling. This allows limited inspection resources to be deployed where risk is highest, reducing dwell time for compliant cargo. Unlike purely national risk management systems, the WCO framework provides an internationally aligned methodology and facilitates cross-border data sharing between customs administrations.

**Source:** [https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/enforcement-and-compliance/instruments-and-tools/cargo-targeting.aspx](https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/enforcement-and-compliance/instruments-and-tools/cargo-targeting.aspx)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | WCO Cargo Targeting System |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 102 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-18 |
| Source | https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/enforcement-and-compliance/instruments-and-tools/cargo-targeting.aspx |

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