The following is a statement from the Comptroller of the Customs and Excise Department, Mr Selwyn Da Silva.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) will celebrate International Customs Day (ICD) on Monday, January 26th, 2026. The WCO is dedicating 2026 to “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment.”
This guiding theme emphasizes that Customs’ daily vigilance and commitment to stemming the ever-evolving range of threats at borders are fundamental for our societies to flourish economically and socially.
This year’s celebration carries special significance for the Customs and Excise Department of St.Vincent and the Grenadines. It marks our first International Customs Day as a proud member of the World Customs Organization, having officially joined on October 17, 2025. This milestone places our department firmly within the global Customs community, opening doors to enhanced cooperation, capacity building, and alignment with international best practices.
The Department plays a vital role as a conduit for economic wealth creation, contributing to national development. Our mandate fuels trade, protects revenue, safeguards society, and strengthens the economic foundation upon which businesses and communities thrive. We are gatekeepers and enablers of growth.
Over the past year, we have demonstrated this role with exceptional clarity. Our department has consistently achieved, and in many instances surpassed its revenue mandate. This achievement reflects the dedication of our officers, the effectiveness of our systems, and the integrity of our processes. It also reinforces the trust placed in us by the Government and the people we serve.
Revenue collection is only one dimension of our mission. We are also embracing the future. Digital transformation is beginning to take root within our department, reshaping how we operate, how we communicate, and how we deliver services. From the gradual shift toward paperless processes to the introduction of new digital tools, we are laying the foundation for a Customs administration to ensure that trade is Safer, Smarter, and Faster. This transformation is not merely technological, it is cultural. It requires new skills, new mindsets, and a shared commitment to innovation.
As global trade evolves, so too must our partnerships. We recognize that effective border management cannot be achieved by Customs alone. That is why we remain deeply committed to strengthening public-private partnerships. Collaboration with importers, exporters, brokers, port operators, and other stakeholders is essential to building a trade environment that is predictable, secure, and efficient. When we work together, we reduce bottlenecks, enhance compliance, and create opportunities for all.
Reflecting on the progress made in 2025, online payments became a reality and the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSWiFT) was established, with the CARICOM E-Certificate of Origin being the first service onboarded. This year, 2026, will see other services coming on stream as well including the upgrade of the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) with several dynamic modules such as E-commerce, Risk management and Post Clearance Audit to name a few.
The Department recognizes the rapid growth in online trade and intends to manage e-commerce in a more efficient, structured, and data-driven manner, ensuring that this expanding sector contributes fairly to revenue, complies with regulations, and supports legitimate business activity. By modernizing our approach, we will position our country to benefit fully from the digital economy.
As we celebrate International Customs Day 2026, let us acknowledge the progress we have made and let us also look ahead with determination. Our membership in the WCO, our digital transformation efforts, our strong revenue performance, and our commitment to partnership all point to a department on the rise. The work ahead will require discipline, creativity, and unity of purpose, and I am confident that we are ready.
To every Customs officer and employee, every partner agency, and every stakeholder: thank you for your dedication, your professionalism, and your belief in our mission. Together, we will continue to build a Customs administration that protects our nation, facilitates trade, and drives economic prosperity.
Happy International Customs Day 2026!
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