The World Customs Organization Joins the Universal Postal Union 150th Anniversary Event and Highlights the Importance of Customs Partnerships with Postal Operators

On 9 October 2024, the World Customs Organization was honored to participate in the ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, fittingly held on World Post Day, at the organization's headquarters in Bern, Switzerland . The event celebrated the centuries-long history of postal operators serving as the foundation for communication between people around the world.

The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki, followed by addresses from representatives of partner organizations, including the United Nations (including UN Trade and Development), the International Civil Aviation Organization, the World Trade Organization, and the WCO.

World Customs Organization Secretary General Ian Saunders hailed the almost 60 years of cooperation between the two organizations, dating back to the establishment of the WCO-UPU Contact Committee in 1965. He highlighted notable achievements in cooperation with the UPU and other international partners, including enhanced air cargo security and the recent Regional Post-Customs Strategy Meeting for the Americas and Caribbean region in August 2024. The Secretary General also stressed the challenges in exchanging Electronic Advance Data of postal items between Customs administrations and designated Postal Operators, and emphasized the vital role of the two organizations in boosting economies, particularly in supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises through the postal supply chain.

The WCO and UPU have worked together to support their Members around the world through a number of joint capacity building activities and joint guidelines aimed at enhancing the security and safety of the cross-border movement of postal items while streamlining Customs clearance and postal operations.

Both organizations continue to strengthen their partnership to further secure and facilitate the postal supply chain in close cooperation with Customs administrations and designated Postal Operators at the domestic, regional, and global levels.

Whether it be as simple as a single letter, or a parcel arriving from a small business operator, the post serves as a connection for all, and the WCO is proud to partner with the Universal Postal Union as it strengthens postal operators' ability to keep pace with today's evolving global supply chains.