There are several points to discuss regarding international organizations and customs: 1. A brief history of international organizations including how many exist and their structures with legislative, judiciary, and executive branches. 2. The World Customs Organization (WCO) is the only intergovernmental organization uniquely competent in customs matters. It was established in 1953 by 13 European countries to examine customs issues identified by GATT. 3. The WCO recognizes 10 key building blocks for modern customs in the 21st century, including globally networked customs, coordinated border management, and intelligence-driven risk management.

1. Points to discuss:
How many countries in the world? 1945 – 2013.
A border less world?
This work is in the public domain in countries with a copyright term of life of
the author plus 100 years or less.
The Geographer
Jan Vermeer van Delft
Introduction to
Global Customs

2. About international organizations
Points to discuss:
Brief history of international organizations
How many IO?

3. Structure of IO
Points to discuss:
Legislative, Judiciary and Executive

4. Point to discuss: “WCO the only
intergovernmental organisation uniquely
competent in Customs matters.”
The WCO

5. Historical background
1947
(1) The GATT raised various questions
about Customs processes but there was no
institution responsible for examining
Customs issues
1948
(2) Thirteen European countries established a
Study Group to examine the Customs issues
identified by the GATT and this led to the decision
to create an international Customs body
1950
(4) The Convention establishing
a Customs Co-operation Council
(CCC) was signed in Brussels
1952
(5) The CCC
Convention entered
into force on
4 November 1952
1953
(6) The inaugural session
of the CCC Council
was held on
26 January 1953
with 17 founding Members

6. Customs in the 21st Century
Recognizes 10 key building blocks for Customs
1. Globally Networked Customs
2. Coordinated border management
3. Intelligence-driven risk management
4. Customs-Trade partnership
5. Modern working methods, procedures, and techniques
6. Enabling technology and tools
7. Enabling powers
8. Professional, knowledge-based service culture
9. Capacity building
10.Integrity