site.btaCustoms Agency Joins World Customs Organization Policy Commission

From July 1, 2025, the Customs Agency joined the Policy Commission of the World Customs Organization (WCO) as one of the representatives of the Europe Region, the Agency said on Wednesday.

The Policy Commission is the highest governing body after the Customs Cooperation Council, and Bulgarian customs participate for the first time in the leadership of the World Customs Organization.

The decisive vote was during the 145th/146th session of the Customs Cooperation Council, which was held from June 26 to June 28 at the headquarters of the World Customs Organization in Brussels, Belgium.

“The election of Bulgaria is a well-deserved recognition of the continuous efforts and active participation of the Bulgarian Customs in the work of the WCO. The Customs Agency will be involved in the discussions and strategic decision-making of the Commission in an extremely important period of modernization and introduction of innovative working methods in the Organization. The Customs Agency will not only borrow from the rich experience of the WCO, but will also contribute to the common goals of improving customs operations worldwide,” commented Customs Agency  Director Georgi Dimov.

Bulgaria joined the WCO in 1973.

The Policy Commission is the highest body of the WCO after the Customs Cooperation Council. It was established in 1978 and deals with broad political issues related to the activities of the Organization.

The WCO Policy Commission acts as a dynamic steering group, supporting the work of the Council in decision-making. It initiates studies of WCO policies, practices and procedures in order to assist the Council in achieving the broad objectives of its work. It meets twice a year (usually in June and December). The term of office of members of the Policy Commission is two years, renewable indefinitely.