INTERNATIONAL TRENDS OF DIGITALIZATION IN CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20309949Keywords:
digital customs, artificial intelligence, blockchain, Single Window system, trade facilitation, WCO, WTO TFA, big data, Authorized Economic Operator, international trade.Abstract
This article analyzes contemporary international trends in the digitalization of customs
management, including artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, big data analytics, the Internet of
Things (IoT), and Single Window systems. The study is based on empirical evidence from the World Customs
Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the World Bank Group. The findings indicate
that, since the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), global trade has increased by
more than USD 230 billion, while average trade costs have decreased by 1–4%. Customs processing time
at the Kenya–Tanzania border was reduced by 87%. The article examines the economic efficiency of digital
customs, key technological development areas, successful country experiences, including China, South Korea,
Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates, and provides practical recommendations for developing economies.
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