International organisations as a customs cooperation tools

Abstract

Based on the results of the work carried out, it was established that the historical retrospective of the development of international customs cooperation makes it possible to study the stages of formation of integration processes in the customs sphere. International customs cooperation is carried out within the framework of international organisations, international intergovernmental conferences and international treaties. All international organisations that are subjects of international customs law can be divided into universal and regional ones according to the nature of their representation in which countries and the global nature and scale of customs issues. The most famous are: World Trade Organisation; Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, European Union, UN Commissions and Conferences, etc. It is the universal and regional international bodies that act as coordinators of joint actions and the main link in international customs cooperation. The World Customs Organisation plays a key role among them. Since its inception, the World Customs Organisation has been focusing on harmonising and standardising customs systems, improving customs legislation and developing international cooperation. The organisation’s recommendations are aimed at creating an effective customs system that takes into account current conditions. The main objective of the organisation is to promote the creation and development of modern, efficient, multifunctional customs services in its member states. Conclusions. Based on the study of the literature and legislation of Ukraine on the topic under investigation, it is determined that the institutional mechanism of customs cooperation of the States which currently exists is the result of almost two hundred years of evolution of international customs cooperation. It can be viewed as a system of organisations and structures established in accordance with international law and having specific functions necessary for the regulation of international customs relations. Currently, this mechanism includes both international organisations operating in the field of international legal regulation of customs relations and regional customs unions.