The relationship
between Customs and business has increasingly become topical over recent years.
Customs has progressively come to regard its clients as business partners to
collaborate with, and not as adversaries. This is a major shift in the way
Customs conducts business and this has resulted in a better working relationship
between the two sides. The modern approach of engagement between Customs and
stakeholders conforms to international law and is considered as international
best practice. This partnership is evident with the various Customs
administrations across the globe. This article takes a survey of some of the
key international agreements that bind Customs to relate with its stakeholders
when conducting business. The article then acknowledges the effort taken by the
World Customs Organization (WCO) to inspire its members to develop and maintain
relationships with partners. The WCO theme for 2024 was ‘Customs Engaging
Traditional and New Partners with Purpose’. The engagement between Customs and
business creates a conducive operational environment that fosters improved flow
of information, trust and enhanced compliance. Ultimately there would no losers
as Customs, stakeholders, global trade and governments all stand to benefit.