WCO Permanent Technical Committee Reviews Progress of the Smart Customs Project

• The Permanent Technical Committee (PTC) discussed and endorsed, as a living document, the updated WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies.
• Delegates welcomed the continued progress of the WCO Smart Customs Project (SCP), including growing Member participation and the expansion of the Smart Customs Community Portal, and provided guidance on the future development of the AI/ML and Blockchain Readiness Self-Assessment Tools.
• Mauritius shared its experience in adopting cloud computing to support Customs modernization, highlighting governance, resilience and data sovereignty considerations.

More than 280 representatives of Customs administrations, international organizations, academia, and the private sector gathered at WCO Headquarters in Brussels or joined online from 5 to 8 May 2026 for the 251st/252nd Sessions of the PTC. The  agenda featured an item entitled “Disruptive Technologies and Smart Customs Project” that  included discussions on the WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies 2026, the progress of the Smart Customs Project, readiness self-assessment tools, and Members’ experiences with disruptive technologies.

Study Report on Disruptive Technologies 2026

The Secretariat presented the WCO Study Report on Disruptive Technologies 2026, which provides practical insights into the adoption of emerging technologies by Customs administrations and has been updated under the auspices of the SCP. The Committee endorsed the Study Report as a living document and provided guidance for its future updates.

SCP and Readiness Self-Assessment Tools

The Secretariat presented an update on the WCO Smart Customs Project, highlighting growing Member participation, the expansion of the Smart Customs Community Portal, and ongoing efforts to support technology adoption through practical tools and peer learning. Delegates welcomed the progress achieved and discussed the AI/ML and Blockchain Readiness Self-Assessment Tools, recognizing their value in helping Members assess readiness and identify priorities for the adoption of emerging technologies, while providing guidance for their future development.

Member Experience: Cloud Computing in Mauritius Revenue Authority

Mauritius shared its experience in adopting cloud computing to support Customs modernization, highlighting governance, operational resilience and data sovereignty considerations, and sharing lessons learned from its digital transformation journey.

Contact:  
For any queries, please contact:  smartcustoms@wcoomd.org