International Customs Day(ICD) is annually celebrated across the globe on 26th January to recognise the contributions and roles of the customs officials and agencies in maintaining border security.
The World Customs Organization(WCO) dedicated the International Customs Day 2021 is dedicated to the efforts of the customs to emerge from the pandemic situation and its efforts towards strengthening the global supply chain to support the people and business.
The theme of the 2021 ICD is “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain”.
In India, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) observed the International Customs Day, 2021 & holds ceremony for World Customs Organisation Certificate of Merit Award 2021.
Background:
i.Customs Cooperation Council(CCC) instituted the International Customs Day to commemorate the first session of CCC held on 26th January 1953 at Brussels, Belgium.
ii.17 European Countries attended the 1953 CCC session.
iii.The CCC was renamed as the World Customs Organisation(WCO) in 1994 and presently the custom organisations from around 183 countries are the members of WCO (Including India).
Facts about WCO:
i.WCO is the only international body exclusively dedicated to International Customs and Border control.
ii.The convention to establish the CCC was signed on 15th December 1950.
iii.The members of the WCO are responsible for managing around 98% of the world trade.
Events:
i.The Association of Customs Representative marked the International Customs Day with its Annual General Meeting on 26th January 2021 over a virtual platform.
ii.As a part of the ICD 2021, “WCO Certificate of Merit” will be awarded to the custom officers and representatives from private sectors who has contributed to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis and support the people and business by strengthening the supply chain, collaboration and utilizing technology and focusing the people at the centre of transformation process.
iii.17 Indian officers received the WCO Certificate of Merit for the year 2021.
About WCO:
Secretary General– Dr. Kunio Mikuriya
Headquarters– Brussels, Belgium
Members– 183
