International Customs Day is observed on January 26th each year to honour the function and contribution of customs personnel and agencies. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness of the difficulties and conditions faced by customs officials. The main goal of celebrating International Customs Day is to raise awareness of their important contribution to the global customs administration. Customs organisations throughout the world mark International Customs Day every year. These organisations hold lectures, talks, workshops, and appreciation ceremonies on this occasion. So, learn more about the background and importance of this day by reading this blog.
History of World Customs Day
The Customs Cooperation Council, today known as the World Customs Organization, was founded on January 26th, 1953. This group works on issues such as supply chain security, facilitation of international commerce, and customs enforcement. International Customs Day is observed on the day this organisation was founded to commemorate its founding. In 1983, the CCC held the inaugural Customs Day celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of its first session. The CCC was renamed the WCO (World Customs Organization) in 1994, and a festival honouring the WCO is held annually on January 26th.
International Customs Day Theme for 2023
Nurturing the Next Generation: Promoting a Culture of Knowledge Sharing and Professional Pride in Customs will be the theme of World Customs Day in 2023. Every year, a fresh and distinctive theme is revealed for this day’s celebration. The International Customs Day topic for 2022 was “Scaling up Customs Digital Transformation.” The day’s topic focused on the importance of developing a data-friendly culture and a data ecosystem inside the customs sector. Here are some examples of Customs Day themes from prior years:
- For 2022: The theme was “Customs Fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity, and the Planet.”
- For 2021: The theme was “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and resilience.”
- For 2020: The theme was “Customs Fostering Sustainability for People, Prosperity and the Planet.”
What is World Customs Organisation?
In 1953, the Customs Cooperation Council gave birth to the World Customs Organization, or WCO. It works toward the goal of assisting and guiding customs employees and agencies. According to the organisation, customs contribute to the creation of a sustainable future by addressing social, economic, and environmental requirements.
International Customs Day is observed every year on January 26 in recognition of the importance of this organisation and its operations. Listed below are a few of this organisation’s roles:
- Specific reinforcement
- Secure supply chains
- Putting measures in place to encourage the growth of legal trade on a global basis
- Fighting the infringement of intellectual property rights, policing illicit drugs, etc.
Wrapping Up
International Customs Day helps us appreciate and recognise the contribution and role of customs officers and agencies. After all, they are in charge of securing each country’s entry points. So, we have prepared this blog to acknowledge their value.
