The World Customs Organization (WCO) has adopted a resolution to develop a cross-border e-commerce framework of standards based on eight guiding principles.
The WCO Policy Commission (PC) unanimously adopted the Luxor Resolution at its meeting held December 4 to December 6, 2017 in Luxor City, Egypt. The resolution endorses the principles for cross-border e-commerce and the establishment of an e-commerce framework of standards.
The resolution, developed in close collaboration with all stakeholders, sets forth the guiding principles for cross-border e-commerce, addressing eight critical aspects: advance electronic data and risk management; facilitation and simplification; safety and security; revenue collection; measurement and analysis; partnerships; public awareness, outreach and capacity building; and legislative frameworks.
“The resolution is aimed at helping customs and other government agencies, businesses, and other stakeholders in the cross-border e-commerce supply chain to understand, coordinate and better respond to the current and emerging challenges,” said the WCO in a statement.
The resolution also invites customs administrations to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to “apply these principles in a harmonized manner by developing an implementation strategy and action plan.”
It also advocates a deeper engagement with partner intergovernmental organizations, using all relevant bilateral and multilateral platforms.
Additionally, the PC has also issued a communiqué to the ongoing Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11), the organization’s highest decision-making body, attended by trade ministers and other senior officials from the WTO’s 164 members, that is taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from December 10 to 13, 2017.
“The Communiqué strongly reaffirms the WCO’s leadership in providing policy and operational frameworks for the effective management of cross-border e-commerce from both a facilitation and a control perspective, and clearly demonstrates its strong commitment to supporting the WTO’s Work Programme on E-Commerce, moving forward,” said the statement.
WCO Secretary General Dr. Kunio Mikuriya welcomed the adoption of the resolution and issuance of the communiqué to the WTO MC11 as a solid basis for establishing an e-commerce framework of standards and associated operational/implementation plans, with timelines, to support further development of cross-border e-commerce, while effectively addressing the challenges stemming from this online activity.
Mikuriya added, “I am delighted with this development and urge Customs administrations and all E-Commerce actors to embrace the principles laid down in the Resolution to best leverage the vast opportunities presented by rapidly growing E-Commerce and continue working towards a secure and sustainable E-Commerce environment.”
Photo courtesy of WCO
