The WCO promotes certainty, predictability and security of the international movement of goods and people accompanying goods by establishing clear and precise standards, e.g. the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade.

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

On 24 June 2023, Mr. Ian Saunders was elected Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO). He took office on 1 January 2024.

One difference between the two is their membership, comprising of government representatives of the world's nations. The WTO is located in Geneva, Switzerland and has 161 member countries while the WCO is located in Brussels, Belgium and has 180 member countries. The WTO was established in 1995.