Smart Customs Project releases a detailed Report on the Adoption of AI/ML in Customs

The WCO Smart Customs Project, financed by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China (CCF/China), has released a detailed Report on the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Customs. This Report is a key deliverable of the Project, which identified AI/ML, blockchain and cloud computing as the top three technologies of interest to Members through the Global Smart Customs Survey conducted between April and June 2024.

This new publication follows the release of the case study on AI/ML adoption in China Customs and the AI/ML Readiness Self-Assessment Tool, forming a comprehensive set of resources for Customs administrations to better understand the implementation and development potential of AI/ML technologies.

The Report provides in-depth insights into AI/ML adoption in Customs, covering technical frameworks, governance, risk management, business processes and capacity building. It outlines key requirements, including data management, legal and ethical considerations, cost-benefit analysis and infrastructure needs. Best practices such as pilot testing, inter-agency and cross-border collaboration, and workforce upskilling are highlighted. In addition, the Report emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity, interoperability and compliance with data protection regulations. Building Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) capabilities is identified as essential for efficiency, model reliability and scalability. Ethical considerations, including fairness, transparency and accountability, are also addressed to mitigate any biases. By providing a structured approach, the Report helps Customs administrations navigate technical and regulatory challenges, thereby enhancing trade facilitation and border security.

Two versions of the Report have been released, namely a public version and a Members’ version including use cases, which is available for download in the WCO Members-only area of the WCO website and on the Smart Customs Portal under the Resources section (Project Deliverables).

This Report will serve as a key reference for Members engaging in discussions on AI applications in Customs within the Smart Customs Forum, especially since AI has been chosen as the Forum’s central theme for March 2025.

For more information, please contact smartcustoms@wcoomd.org