The first plenary meeting of the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) in 2026 will be held in Guangzhou from February 4 to 6, highlighting digitalization, intelligence, and green development.

As the first full gathering of customs authorities from APEC economies in 2026, the meeting will center on the APEC "China Year" of "Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together." Discussions will focus on three priority areas: openness, innovation, and cooperation, while addressing key international customs topics such as artificial intelligence, cross-border e-commerce, paperless trade, and customs-business cooperation. The meeting will call on customs authorities across APEC economies to work together to build digital, intelligent, green, and integrity-based customs systems, strengthen smart customs partnerships, enhance regional connectivity, promote inclusive growth, and jointly facilitate secure and efficient trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

The three-day meeting will be preceded by seminars on two APEC priority projects for the year: "Applications of Artificial Intelligence in New-Generation Customs Governance" and "Digital Transformation of Customs Clearance for Cross-Border E-Commerce." During the meeting, representatives from APEC economies and relevant international organizations will also visit automated customs operations, as well as demonstration sites for smart customs development.

Since its establishment in 1994, the APEC Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures has played an important role in promoting trade facilitation across the Asia-Pacific region. This year, China Customs serves as Chair of the SCCP and will host more than ten customs-related activities throughout the year.