Liberia Moves Closer to Global Trade Standards with WCO Customs Mission

MONROVIA – The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) has begun a week-long training and diagnostic mission aimed at preparing the country's Customs administration to implement an internationally recognized Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program, a move expected to speed up cargo clearance and improve Liberia's trade competitiveness.
The exercise, led by the World Customs Organization (WCO), forms part of the WCO Accelerate Trade Facilitation Program, which is funded by the United Kingdom's His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The mission is assessing Liberia's readiness to adopt the AEO framework, an internationally accepted system that rewards trusted traders with faster and more efficient customs procedures.
The AEO Program is designed to strengthen cooperation between Customs authorities and compliant businesses by reducing inspections, shortening cargo clearance times and improving supply chain security while maintaining effective border controls.
Launching the mission in Monrovia, LRA Commissioner of Customs Saa Saamoi said the initiative represents another milestone in Liberia's efforts to modernize its Customs administration and align it with international standards.
According to him, the exercise builds on previous reforms undertaken by the Authority, including the successful completion of Liberia's second National Time Release Study with support from the WCO.
"This mission represents another major step toward aligning Liberia's Customs administration with international best practices while creating a more predictable and efficient trading environment for compliant businesses," Saamoi said.
He explained that the assessment will help transform Liberia's existing Compliant Traders Program into a fully recognized Authorized Economic Operator system.
Saamoi said the transition is being supported by several ongoing reforms, including improvements at customs ports, upgrades to the ASYCUDA customs management system, the automated duty-free platform, border infrastructure enhancements and preparations for the introduction of a National Single Window in partnership with UNCTAD.
World Customs Organization Trade Facilitation Expert Yasmeen Elahi said the mission will identify the remaining gaps between Liberia's current program and internationally accepted AEO standards.
She noted that Liberia is well-positioned to make the transition because of the progress already achieved through its existing Compliant Traders Program, adding that lessons from countries with successful AEO systems will help guide implementation.
The mission also includes technical support from Nnenna Ugo-Akwa, an Authorized Economic Operator specialist with the Nigeria Customs Service, who is sharing practical experience from Nigeria's implementation of the program.
Officials say the assessment brings together Customs officers and private sector stakeholders to develop a roadmap for introducing the internationally recognized system.
Once fully implemented, the AEO Program is expected to reduce delays at ports, lower business costs for compliant traders, improve supply chain efficiency and strengthen Liberia's competitiveness as a regional trading hub within ECOWAS.
The initiative is part of the LRA's broader strategy to modernize Customs operations, facilitate legitimate trade and improve border management while supporting sustainable economic growth.