The WCO, with the support of the Government of Japan, will host the first WCO Global Free Zone Online Conference under the theme “Meeting the SDGs - Ensuring Customs involvement for Free Zones’ competitiveness, safety and sustainability” for Customs administrations and external stakeholder partners. The Conference will be held virtually on 14 December 2020. The working language of the Online Conference will be English and French using the KUDO Platform. The WCO originally planned to organize a Global Free Zone Conference on 29 June 2020 at WCO headquarters but unfortunately, this event was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Building upon the work done thus far by the WCO (WCO Research Paper No. 47 on Free Zones* and relevant WCO instruments and tools including the Revised Kyoto Convention) and by WCO Members and partner stakeholders, the event will explore key principles for suitable Customs roles that conform to the sustainable development of Free Zones(FZs) while reflecting views and suggestions from diverse perspectives on adequate Customs procedures and controls.

This one-day conference will explore key principles for suitable Customs roles that conform to the sustainable development of FZs while reflecting views and suggestions from diverse perspectives on adequate Customs procedures and controls. Key principles include: data requirements, company approval using the Authorized Economic Operator concept, cargo supervision with technologies, and collection of duties and taxes (including the application of rules of origin), and strengthening cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

Given the growing significance of FZs in international trade and economic development, we are confident that your participation and valuable contribution to this Conference will support the strengthening of Customs roles in FZs in order to ensure the safety, competitiveness and sustainability of FZs in cooperation with stakeholders.

The Conference will consist four sessions covering, a High Level’ Round Table and panel discussions by Customs administrations, academia, International Organizations and experts from the relevant industries and external stakeholders. The topics to be covered are:

• Ensuring FZs Competitiveness and sustainability with Customs involvement

• Preventing FZs from being “Black hole” - Are lighter Customs Procedures/ Controls still necessary for FZs?

• Rules of Origin and Free Zones

We look forward to welcoming members and external stakeholder partners to this important Conference.​