SVG Customs becomes 187th Member of World Customs Organisation

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Customs on Friday,October, 17, 2025 became the 187th member of the World Customs Organisation (WCO). This follows the deposit of its instrument of accession to the Convention Establishing a Customs Cooperation Council, a WCO release states. The official date of accession to the WCO and signature to the Convention is September,17, 2025.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) said it was delighted to make the announcement of the membership of SVG Customs.

“Saint Vincent and the Grenadines joins the WCO at a time when Customs administrations around the world are navigating a period of increased complexity, but also one of great opportunity,” WCO Secretary General, Ian Saunders, is quoted in the release as stating.

“The WCO remains a source of high-quality, forward-thinking support and leadership, reinforcing the resilience, adaptability and efficiency of Customs administrations. I look forward to working with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to advance Customs’ mission of facilitating legitimate trade, ensuring fair revenue collection and protecting society.”

Through its accession, St Vincent and the Grenadines joins a global Customs community dedicated to facilitating trade, enhancing border security, and advancing international cooperation, the WCO release states.

Membership of the WCO opens the door for St Vincent and the Grenadines to benefit from a broad range of knowledge-sharing opportunities, technical expertise, and capacity-building initiatives, it adds.

Membership of the WCO will also enable the country to strengthen its Customs administration, aligning with global standards and best practices to promote efficient and secure trade flows.

SVG will now also sit at WCO’s various working bodies, including the WCO Council, which convenes heads of global Customs administrations, in June, 2026.

The WCO, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), is an independent intergovernmental body whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs administrations.