International standards on customs services - Essay Example

In addition, the customs offices that are not working in collaboration with the international community can create chaos in issues like intellectual property and patenting. Thus, the need to have international standards in customs services has been well understood by people. As a result, a large number of international regulatory bodies have taken birth. The very first one is World customs Organisation which represents more than 166 members. On 23 June 2005, all the members of WCO accepted the SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.

The Framework intends to provide supply chain security and facilitation at a global level in order to enhance certainty and predictability. Also, it ensures an integrated supply chain management for all modes of transport. This introduces a number of changes in the existing system. Firstly, it harmonises advanced electronic cargo information requirements on inbound, outbound and transit shipments. Also, according to the Framework, it is the sending nation’s customs administration that performs outbound cargo inspection instead of the receiving nation.

Such inspections will adopt non-intrusive detection equipments like x-ray machines and radiation detectors. This ensures that a clearance can be made before the cargo reaches the destination (World Customs Organization, 2007, p.6-7). Another one is the World Trade Organisation (WTO) that deals with the global rules or trade between nations. This organisation works to see that trade is conducted smoothly, predictably and as freely as possible. The WTO usually covers goods, services and intellectual property.

As nations become members of WTO, they have to disclose all the laws and regulations they have adopted. Then, the WTO committees will work to see that the WTO agreements are properly followed by the member nation. In