Customs practitioners in the UK can now be trained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), thanks to a new Strategic Partnership between the WCO Academy and the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) – the first of its kind in the UK. This landmark relationship will enable British trade professionals to gain internationally recognised skills and expertise relating to customs procedures.

Through the IOE&IT’s website, trade professionals can now take customs-focused e-learning courses developed by the WCO, covering over 500 hours of training on the major topics, concepts and processes of international trade.  After completing the training courses, individuals will be rewarded with a certificate from the WCO Academy, a significant achievement within the global industry.

Established in 1952, the WCO represents 183 Customs administrations across the globe that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organisation with competence in Customs matters that can rightly call itself the voice of the international Customs community.

The courses are a fantastic opportunity for British traders to gain prestigious and international recognition from the world’s leading customs institution. They also contribute towards the IOE&IT’s CPD programme, enabling enrolled trade professionals to maintain and develop their skills and competence in international trade.

Lesley Batchelor, Director General of the IOE&IT said:

“We are honoured to become the WCO Academy’s first Strategic Partner in the UK. They are a fantastic, global organisation at the forefront of all major developments in international trade. Their e-learning courses are an essential resource for trade professionals in the UK, especially as we look to forge our own path post-Brexit.”

Ricardo Treviño, Deputy Secretary General of the WCO said:

“We are delighted to cooperate with the Institute of Export and International Trade. WCO Academy is the private sector’s point of access to the indisputable Customs expertise of the World Customs Organization. The experience and dedication of IOE&IT in training fills us with optimism that we will meet our common goals. We will work together in order to provide access to valuable Customs knowledge and therefore up-skill as many UK’s international trade professionals as possible.”

Establishing a Customs Practitioner profession in the UK

This prestigious partnership is a key element of the IOE&IT’s move to create a recognised ‘Customs Practitioner’ profession in the UK. With Brexit bringing international trade into focus, it has never been more important for the UK’s exporters and importers to gain an understanding of the processes involved in trade.

To address the current lack of knowledge in customs procedures among the UK business community, the IOE&IT has also developed a ‘Customs Pathway’ through its suite of training courses. The pathway takes prospective customs professionals through six of the IOE&IT’s courses, culminating in the attainment of a ‘Customs Practitioner Award’.

The Customs Pathway and the e-training courses developed by the WCO form an abundance of learning resources that the IOE&IT is providing to enable businesses and individuals to thrive post-Brexit.