The 239th/240th sessions of the Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) of World Customs Organization (WCO) were held from 25 to 27 April 2023 in Brussels with online participation, including participants from PS IGC TRACECA

Delegates from WCO Member administrations, international organizations and the private sector have taken note and discussed wide range of topics including activities related to Performance Management, Non-In intrusive inspection (NII), role of Customs in fragile and conflict-affected situations, Role of Customs in disaster relief, role of Customs in Circular Economy and Green Customs. The PTC also had an opportunity to discuss updates of WCO Data Model, the Cross-border Regulatory Data Exchange Framework, Customs-Port cooperation, WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), development of the new Time Release Study (TRS) Online System.
 
During the meeting, there were extensive deliberations on e-commerce, and the PTC examined and endorsed the 4th edition of the Compendium of Case Studies on E-Commerce as well as proposed revision of two annexes to the Technical Specifications to the E-Commerce Framework of Standards (on E-Commerce Business Models and E-Commerce Stakeholders: Roles and Responsibilities).
 
Data and technology as essential factors for modernization and harmonization of Customs procedures, cross-border regulatory data exchange framework and technology and innovation have been discussed at the meeting. The PTC also discussed and endorsed version 4.0.0. of the WCO Data Model.


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The PTC is one of the few Committees created directly by the Convention establishing the Customs Cooperation Council, now known as the World Customs Organization (WCO). The PTC has important role in addressing various trade facilitation issues to serve the WCO’s vision, “Borders divide, Customs connects”. Number of conventions, frameworks of standards, guidelines, compendiums, and recommendations are forged and managed through the PTC.

Information on PTC sessions are available at:
https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/facilitation/resources/permanent-technical-committee.aspx