Trade glossary · institutions

WCO

World Customs Organization — maintains the Harmonized System (HS) and standardizes customs procedures across 184 member countries.

Founded 1952 in Brussels, the WCO is the only intergovernmental body focused exclusively on customs. Beyond the Harmonized System, it publishes the SAFE Framework on supply-chain security, the Kyoto Convention on simplified customs procedures, and origin-rules guidance. HS revisions are issued every five years through the WCO's Harmonized System Committee.

Authoritative source: WCO ↗

Related terms

HS code

Harmonized System code — a 6-digit international classification for traded goods, governed by the World Customs Organization. The first 2 digits = chapter, 4 digits = heading, 6 digits = subheading.