# WCO (World Customs Organization)

*Last updated: 2026-06-26*

> The World Customs Organization (WCO) provides the technical foundation that allows customs administrations across the globe to classify goods consistently, apply uniform risk criteria, and exchange data across borders.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) provides the technical foundation that allows customs administrations across the globe to classify goods consistently, apply uniform risk criteria, and exchange data across borders. Founded in 1952 and now encompassing more than 180 member states, it is the sole intergovernmental body dedicated to developing and maintaining international customs standards. Its most widely used instruments are the Harmonized System (HS) for commodity classification and the SAFE Framework of Standards for supply chain security. For freight forwarders and customs brokers, WCO frameworks are operational reality: they govern which commodity code applies to a shipment, how border authorities build risk profiles, and how advance cargo data must be structured. The WCO should not be confused with the WTO—it sets no trade policy but provides the technical rules customs administrations use to enforce it.

**Source:** [https://www.wcoomd.org](https://www.wcoomd.org)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | WCO (World Customs Organization) |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 135 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-26 |
| Source | https://www.wcoomd.org |

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