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The World Customs Organization and the United Kingdom Announce Phase V of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme

The World Customs Organization (WCO), in partnership with the United Kingdom (UK), continues to champion the implementation of the World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO TFA) through the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme building on more than 11 years of demonstrated impact and results achieved by participating Members.

The WCO’s long-standing partnership with the UK’s His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) underscores a common dedication to strengthening the effective implementation of the WTO TFA. The Programme supports developing countries to integrate more fully into global value chains, adhere to international standards, and fully leverage the opportunities offered by the multilateral trading system.

Launched in 2015, the Programme aims to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods and enhance public-private collaboration through implementation of the WTO TFA. The partnership with UNCTAD enables synergies across the Customs and trade continuum to ensure fulsome implementation of the WTO TFA.

Over the past years, the Programme has evolved in both scope and regional focus, supporting Customs reforms across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The advancements made by each Member highlight the Programme’s effectiveness in assisting Members in the implementation of international standards, enhancement of their business environments and the increase in efficiencies for cross-border trade.

Building on the success of previous phases and recognizing the importance of facilitating trade, the UK has announced a three-year extension of its partnership with the HMRC, the WCO, and UNCTAD to continue delivering trade facilitation capacity building.

The UK has allocated £1,850,000 in funding for the WCO to extend the Programme from April 2026 until March 2029. In this new Phase V, the WCO will focus on delivering technical assistance in five key areas:

• Post-Clearance Audit (PCA)
• Time Release Study (TRS)
• Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
• Risk Management
• Coordinated Border Management (CBM)

Welcoming the news, WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, said: "The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme has shown how targeted technical support and strong partnerships can drive meaningful improvements in cross-border trade. It has supported WCO Members in streamlining procedures, reducing clearance times and strengthening supply chain resilience. As we enter this next phase, the WCO remains committed to supporting its Members in building and enhancing their Customs procedures for a more secure and efficient global trading system."

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) applauded the news of the Programme’s extension. NCS Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, stated that: “The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme has significantly strengthened our trade facilitation efforts. Through enhanced Post-Clearance Audit, the establishment of an Authorized Economic Operator programme, and the implementation of Time Release Study, clearance times have been reduced, and traders are benefiting directly. With continued support from the UK and the WCO, we will deepen and further advance reforms to make Nigerian trade more efficient, predictable, and aligned with international standards.”

Megan Shaw, HMRC Head of International Customs and Border Engagement, said: “The UK remains firmly committed to supporting implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. Working with the World Customs Organization, we will build on more than a decade of results delivered with partner Customs administrations, driving adherence to international standards, accelerating customs modernization, and improving the efficiency of cross-border trade so that borders work better for businesses and communities, whilst driving economic growth.”

As Phase V of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme begins, the WCO, UNCTAD, and the UK will continue to build on past successes by providing targeted technical assistance, strengthening public-private collaboration, and supporting Members in adopting international standards.

(Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/media/newsroom/2026/march/the-wco-and-the-uk-announce-phase-v-of-the-atfp.aspx)