Celebrating World Customs Day 2024

Businesses worldwide rely on efficient Customs regimes and smooth logistics when exporting and importing goods. That is why, as a long-time partner of the World Customs Organization, ICC helps drive the harmonisation and facilitation of customs procedures in line with our mission to business work for everyone, every day, everywhere.

Here are just some of the ways in which we promote trade facilitation and customs modernisation, and help businesses get goods moving across borders.

ATA Carnets – working like a passport for goods

ATA Carnets are a trusted standard procedure administered by the ICC World Chambers Federation. They eliminate taxes and duties for the temporary import of almost all kinds of goods. For the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2022, more than 118,000 pieces of equipment, from 34 countries, valued at US$94 million were temporarily imported into China. Issued worldwide every year for goods valued at US$25 billion, the ATA will be going for gold again in 2024 as the Olympic games and Paralympics head to Paris. What’s more, the world’s first fully digital ATA Carnet was used in 2023 to complete an entire customs journey using the digital ATA Carnet system pioneered by ICC. 

ICC Genesis

Help is at hand for exporters, importers and customs authorities to reduce fraud risks and facilitate smoother customs checks with our groundbreaking Genesis verification tool. Genesis is a digital certifying tool, launched by ICC in 2022, to enable exporters to obtain the certification of their preferential origin statement on invoice declarations from a chamber of commerce. Through the World Chambers Federation, ICC provides an international Certificate of Origin accreditation chain system for chambers of commerce and has established international standards, rules and procedures that reinforce the trust and integrity of the CO Chain, to the benefit of traders and Customs administrations alike. Our Certificate of Origin verification website, allows chambers of commerce and customs authorities to confirm the authenticity and validity of COs issued by accredited chambers.

Incoterms® Rules – the daily language of trade

Incoterms® rules are ICC’s globally recognised trade terms supporting the efficient clearance of goods through customs by clarifying the tasks, costs and risks involved in the delivery of goods from sellers to buyers. Incorporated in contracts for the sale of goods worldwide, the Incoterm rules provide a common language for trade, providing guidance to importers and exporters and helping trading partners avoid potential misunderstandings.

Learn more about ICC’s range of trade tools facilitate cross-border transactions