Is all the information produced by the WCO available?

The WCO is involved in a broad range of activities and makes extensive documentation available to Customs administrations to facilitate their day-to-day work. Some of these documents are freely accessible, such as the Harmonized System Nomenclature, and others are available to purchase in the Bookshop. You can visit the www.wcotradetools.org website, where you will find Customs standards (Harmonized System, Origin and Valuation) and other documents that provide a Customs regulatory framework.

For further information about WCO activities, please visit www.wcoomd.org.

Which standards and procedures are available?

The WCO’s Publications and Data Solutions Service produces and circulates the Customs Rules of Origin, Customs Valuation Rules and the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System or Harmonized System (HS):

• The Harmonized System is a means of designating products with the same code worldwide. It consists of a Nomenclature, Explanatory Notes and Classification Opinions.
• The Rules of Origin were prepared by the WCO for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to assist in the implementation and interpretation of the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.
• The Valuation Rules ensure that the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement is interpreted and applied in a uniform manner.

The Publications Service guarantees that these rules, which lie at the heart of trade, are authoritative and keeps them up to date. The main international conventions (Kyoto, Istanbul) can also be consulted.

I am looking for earlier versions of the Harmonized System.

The database contains the 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 versions of the Harmonized System. The earlier versions are not available online. If you need them for academic purposes, please contact our help desk using the form on the “Contact” page.

Are the prices shown net of tax or inclusive of tax?

The prices shown in the Bookshop are the net prices that will be invoiced when you pay for your order (excluding delivery costs). As an intergovernmental body, the WCO is not subject to VAT.

The quantity of products I want is not available. What should I do?

When the requested quantity exceeds the quantities available from stock, an error message appears and your order is suspended. If this happens, you can either reduce the quantity of products requested or contact our help desk using the form on the “Contact” page.

I need a price quote before I pay for my order.

You can print the contents of your shopping basket on the payment page and use this as a quote. Please note that this quote has no contractual value and is not binding on the WCO. The prices shown at a given time may change as a result of promotions.

For any price quote requests for a large volume or concerning a Customs administration, please contact us using the form on the “Contact” page.

How are the delivery costs calculated?

The delivery costs are calculated automatically at the online sale stage when the delivery address is confirmed. They depend on the country of destination and the total weight of the order.

I want to send my order to a postal address other than mine. Is this possible?

When you set up your customer account for the Bookshop, you can add information to your profile such as your invoicing details and the delivery details, which may indeed be different. The order will then be sent to the delivery address provided, and the invoice will be issued with the invoicing details given in your profile.

When will my order be delivered?

Delivery times depend on several factors, including the country and region of delivery of the package. The WCO Publications Service uses the UPS Express Saver service to ensure that you receive the order as quickly as possible. Click here to have more information on UPS

Can I track my package?

Once your package has been despatched, you will receive an e‑mail with a tracking number and a link so that you can follow the progress of your package online.

I have not received what I ordered. What should I do?

Despite every care taken by the WCO teams, errors may be made from time to time. If this happens, please contact us using the form on the “Contact us” page. We will deal with your query as quickly as possible.

The contents of my package are damaged. What options do I have?

If your package is damaged or destroyed, please start by filing a claim directly with the carrier on the website: https://www.ups.com/be/fr/help-center/claims-support.page

If the problem is not resolved, please contact us using the form on the “Contact” page.

What are the available means of payment?

The following means of payment are available on our platforms:

• Visa/MasterCard
• American Express
• PayPal
• bank transfer

Only Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards can be used if you want to renew your subscription to wcotradetools.org automatically.

Can I pay in instalments?

There is no option to pay in instalments.

Can my invoice be issued in a currency other than the euro?

It is not possible to change the reference currency, which is the euro, for the purpose of issuing your invoice. All invoices from our platform will therefore be automatically issued in euros.

Does it take time to validate my payment?

With the exception of payment by bank transfer, payments by other means take immediate effect. Your access to wcotradetools.org will be effective upon confirmation of payment, as will your physical orders, which will be prepared for dispatch as soon as possible.

Might I be asked to pay a Customs clearance charge?

You may be asked to pay a charge for the Customs clearance of your order. However, this is a matter for the country of destination. It is the buyer’s responsibility to pay it, and it is not within the scope of the WCO. Please consult your Customs administration. For information, the products are shipped from the European Union.