January 2025
Epalinges, Switzerland — PEN-CP recently announced the winners of the prestigious Global Customs Innovation Award (GCIA-2024). This annual award highlights cutting-edge solutions and forward-thinking innovations that address the evolving challenges faced by Customs administrations worldwide.
https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/90f798_a4c1d1dae7e74479923e5c7f7e4ccc54.pdf
PEN-CP Final project meeting took place in Engelberg, Switzerland from January 21 to 23, 2025 at https://www.kursaalengelberg.ch/. This gathering provided an excellent opportunity for sharing knowledge, strengthening networks, and recognizing outstanding achievements in Customs innovation.
Here's the third and final episode of the podcast conversation with Dr. Mark Procter, Vice President of Cargo Science and Technology at Rapiscan Systems.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/19YFLtVs0N4mcj48oXYldR?si=-bggtr8FRymu0dV_hXzx-Q
With a PhD in nuclear physics as well as an MBA, Mark combines deep scientific knowledge with management savvy in his various roles at Rapiscan.
Here's Episode 2 of the podcast conversation with Dr. Mark Procter, Vice President of Cargo Science and Technology at Rapiscan Systems.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3wVBBOMozSt1tvwWTg60c9?si=2jxUczXnS02iuZok4cQhGQ
With a PhD in nuclear physics as well as an MBA, Mark combines deep scientific knowledge with management savvy in his various roles at Rapiscan.
December 2024
Here's Episode 1 of the podcast conversation with Dr. Mark Procter, Vice President of Cargo Science and Technology at Rapiscan Systems.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/43YUdZULJWaoEBUWbjwAui?si=ea425d86eb65420e
With a PhD in nuclear physics as well as an MBA, Mark combines deep scientific knowledge with management savvy in his various roles at Rapiscan.
November 2024
Here's the third and final Episode of the podcast conversation with Nanette van Schelven, Director General of the Customs Administration of the Netherlands.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2GwepYRMT4tRvoldmn36aI?si=JzWTn7OMQ9qt8fLVCTTObA&nd=1&dlsi=9572b6b59a654182
Here's Episode 2 of the podcast conversation with Nanette van Schelven, Director General of the Customs Administration of the Netherlands.
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Here's the first episode of my podcast conversation with Nanette van Schelven, Director General of the Customs Administration of the Netherlands.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KnbkzQUbXyHExYqW83vfo?si=berSFiSiSkmAI50CsyGXCA
Tune in for vital insider insights, from the leader of one of the world's headquarters of technological and management innovation in customs.
Special thanks to Ron Roelofs, Micha Slegt and Yasmin Çakiroglu for making this conversation happen!
Here's the 4th and final episode of the wide-ranging talk with Lars Karlsson, Global Head of Trade and Customs Consulting at A.P. Møller-Maersk.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3E3eQCjDcXEhXA47KAwLje?si=7314c25757a24685
Lars is a thought leader in international customs, with an extensive background of over 30 years in customs, borders and international trade policy.
October 2024
Here's Episode 3 of the wide-ranging talk with Lars Karlsson, Global Head of Trade and Customs Consulting at A.P. Møller-Maersk.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4F5biHtuUeD8CpZsjtP4W5?si=acdef42a97894183
Lars is a thought leader in international customs, with an extensive background of over 30 years in customs, borders and international trade policy.
Here's Episode 2 of the wide-ranging talk with Lars Karlsson, Global Head of Trade and Customs Consulting at A.P. Møller-Maersk.
Lars is a thought leader in international customs, with an extensive background of over 30 years in customs, borders and international trade policy.
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https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mDmrf8VEIPblbwWtWSfIG?si=617cbc9b50534364
Here's the first Episode of my eye-opening talk with Lars Karlsson, Global Head of Trade and Customs Consulting at A.P. Møller-Maersk.
Lars is a thought leader in international customs, with an extensive background of over 30 years in customs, borders and international trade policy.
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https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vS7KRFZrd3RKoUaHqHadC?si=bKWQx-9oRKSV5TgbAbj9Cw
Here's the third and final episode of the wide-ranging conversation with Ana Hinojosa, former Executive Director of US Customs and Border Protection, and current head of ABH Global Trade Consulting. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5KGEd4c7rGXnsV0D785y50?si=WSyg5GPvQ2Cdh-V2YbzmRg
September 2024
A new PEN-CP Annual Study 'Green Customs: How Customs Administrations Can Promote Sustainability' has been published. Download it here.
Here's Episode 2 of a wide-ranging conversation with Ana Hinojosa, former Executive Director of US Customs and Border Protection, and current head of ABH Global Trade Consulting.
you will hear some of Ana's career highlights, facing drug cartels at the US/Mexico border and escorting Tom Hanks around LAX, as well as her ongoing work combatting human trafficking and the trade in goods produced by human exploitation.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0MCQWyLteRag08tlKcqFjB?si=NeaQ3XReRdWE6nxbxSOgFw&t=40
Here's Episode 1 of a wide-ranging conversation with Ana Hinojosa, former Executive Director of US Customs and Border Protection, and current head of ABH Global Trade Consulting.
You will hear some of Ana's career highlights, facing drug cartels at the US/Mexico border and escorting Tom Hanks around LAX, as well as her ongoing work combatting human trafficking and the trade in goods produced by human exploitation.
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​https://open.spotify.com/episode/2juG3UXeZ6mbHV4aYMak1r?si=bf3cbd6fdd4b4caa
August 2024
Pencast 2024 (Episode-8/4)
This is Episode 4 of the conversation with Mr Tony Smith CBE, former Director General of the UK Border Force, head of borders in both UK and Canada, and Gold Commander for the UK Border Agency during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, for which he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Pencast 2024 (Episode-8/3)
Here's Episode 3 of the conversation with Mr Tony Smith CBE, former Director General of the UK Border Force, head of borders in both UK and Canada, and Gold Commander for the UK Border Agency during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, for which he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1reGB1kamYj7TFS9yGsa6M?si=6V9K6aTySGiQ8POC_K1cjg
July 2024
A new PEN-CP Annual Study 'Green Customs: How Customs Administrations Can Promote Sustainability' has been published. Download it here.
Here is Episode 2 of the conversation with Mr Tony Smith CBE, former Director General of the UK Border Force, head of borders in both UK and Canada, and Gold Commander for the UK Border Agency during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, for which he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Pencast 2024 (Episode-8/1)
This Pencast we meet Mr Tony Smith CBE, former Director General of the UK Border Force, head of borders in both UK and Canada, and Gold Commander for the UK Border Agency during the 2012 Olympic Games in London, for which he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WNmGjyM3vQaDge366EXQv?si=b5b415458bec4186
Currently he is Managing Director of Fortinus Global Ltd, and Chair of the International Border Management and Technologies Association (IBMATA). Our conversation reviews some of the key highlights and insights from his distinguished career.
June 2024
Another busy month in PEN-CP. We have received a total of 12 submissions for the PING calls and we are in the process of evaluating the submissions, selecting the winners and preparing the project contracts - more updates to follow in Pendigest July 2024.
PEN-CP presented the upcoming Annual Study on Green Customs at the Workshop on Impact of Climate Change on Security Practitioners on 21 May in Brussels. The workshop was organised by CERIS, the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security.
The May Penday online seminar featured more fascinating presentations from:
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Horizon Europe project ‘PARSEC - Parcel and Letter Security for Postal and Express Courier Flows’ - project mid-way updates (after 18 months) by Trevor Francis, Project Technical Manager, UK Border Force - https://www.parsec-project.eu/
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Horizon Europe project ‘METEOR - Transforming cargo screening for a safer world by a new concept of vapour screening technology’ by Ilse Bilsen, Project Manager, Unit Environmental Intelligence – Team Air Quality Management Systems, VITO NV, Belgium https://www.meteor-project.eu/
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Global services ‘D-TECT® PARCEL - Ai First Non-Intrusive Inspection Solution dedicated to Air Cargo and E-Commerce’ by Gautier Huysentruyt, Anass Mouzouni and Michael Knox, Connectivity & Products – Trade Facilitation Services, SGS, Switzerland https://www.sgs.com/en
Four new YouTube playlists from Customs researchers are now available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/@cbra3452/playlists
This Pencast features part 2 of the conversation with Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Director General of the European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Directorate, and one of the leaders in the process of EU customs reform. Mr. Thomas has been a driving force in establishing the EU customs data hub and customs authority.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6csa5dMAzLFfR0zaDYZr41?si=861bb88dfedd4bbc
Pencast 2024 (Episode-6/1)
This Pencast features part 1 of my conversation with Mr. Gerassimos Thomas, Director General of the European Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Directorate, and one of the leaders in the process of EU customs reform.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ehpeo0Bs85xrAL7wIBx3c?si=qhOqb_HeS_qoeO2720h0tw&nd=1&dlsi=b80d083d35344359
Mr. Thomas has been a driving force in establishing the EU customs data hub and customs authority. He has previously held senior positions in finance, energy and elsewhere at the European Commission, as well as serving as Deputy Minister for Environment and Energy in his native Greece.
Penday Jun
Horizon Europe project “PARSEC - Parcel and Letter Security for Postal and Express Courier Flows” project mid-way updates (after 18 months), by Trevor Francis, Project Technical Manager, UK Border Force - https://www.parsec-project.eu/
Horizon Europe project “METEOR - Transforming cargo screening for a safer world by a new concept of vapour screening technology”, by Ilse Bilsen, Project Manager, Unit Environmental Intelligence – Team Air Quality Management Systems, VITO NV, Belgium - https://www.meteor-project.eu/
Global services “D-TECT® PARCEL - Ai First Non-Intrusive Inspection Solution dedicated to Air Cargo and E-Commerce”, by Gautier Huysentruyt, Anass Mouzouni and Michael Knox, Connectivity & Products – Trade Facilitation Services, SGS, Switzerland - https://www.sgs.com/en
May 2024
In the May Pendigest, the closing date for the four PEN-CP Innovation Grant (PING) calls was confirmed as 1 June 2024 with full details available at https://www.pen-cp.net/calls .
Recent Pencasts have included interviews with Dr. Zsolt Dézi, Senior Training Expert at the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary; Ashley Bell, Assistant Secretary for Customs and Border Modernisation at the Australian Border Force; Kunio Mikuriya, former Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation; Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of SARS (South African Revenue Service) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization.
Two Penblogs have been published with the transcripts of the Pencast interviews with Dr Kunio Mikuriya and MEP DragoÅŸ Tudorache
The April Penday seminar saw presentations on:
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The Future of Customs: The Role of AI in Enhancing Efficiency and Resiliency, by Greg Pilkington – Customs GPT website (requires subscription), click here: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-1NsV70Tl9-customsgpt
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Experiences of the Dutch Customs during the first EBSI (European Blockchain Services Infrastructure) ELSA (European Logistics Services Authentication) blockchain pilot, by Elliot Donata, Dutch Customs administration, for a reference click here: https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/display/EBSI/EBSI-ELSA+EUIPO
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Next phase of the project, by Nicolas Hauw, EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office). “Around 6% of imported products in the EU are fake. This has dire consequences on the economy, the environment and citizens' health and security.”, for a reference click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQKnazbrl84
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A full list of all the Penday guests can be found at https://www.pen-cp.net/fullaction
The CERIS workshop on Impact of Climate Change on Security Practitioners, in Brussels, Belgium.
The event was organised by the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS).
At the event, PEN-CP presented the upcoming Annual Study on Green Customs, providing an initial look into the Green Customs framework and its five case studies. The presentation was part of Panel 3: Impact on the practitioners’ business model. Over 30 PEN-CP leaflets were also distributed to the participants.
April 2024
The April issue of Pendigest included details of the announcement of the four PEN-CP Innovation Grant (PING) calls on: Dark Web, Cannabinoids, Biodegradable Plastics and Passenger Drugs. Further information is available at https://www.pen-cp.net/calls
Recent Pencasts have included interviews with DragoÅŸ Tudorache, Member of the European Parliament; Dr Kunio Mikuriya, former Secretary General of the World Customs Organization; Ashley Bell, Assistant Secretary for Customs and Border Modernisation at the Australian Border Force; Axel Kerep, head of the Arti-Fact Project at PARCS Solutions
Two Penblogs have been published with a report on the recent CERIS workshop on Disaster-Resilient Societies and a transcript of the Pencast with MEP DragoÅŸ Tudorache . Issue 18 of the PEN-CP Magazine is now available with details of the PING calls - download all issues via the link.
Four new YouTube playlists from Customs researchers are available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/@cbra3452/playlists
Pencast 2024 (Episode-5/2)
This Pencast features Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Zsolt Dézi, Senior Training Expert at the National Tax and Customs Administration in Hungary -- a fascinating look at a career that has spanned EU accession, and consistently looks both to identify areas of innovation, and to transmit that forward-thinking mentality to the next generation of Customs practitioners and leaders. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TVImOrFm9fcdB0eV1MiuB?si=5d42eaea35eb4bf6&nd=1&dlsi=19a591a57c974c69
Dr. Dézi's career showcases the kind of innovation-boosting thinking and networking at the core of PEN-CP.
This Pencast features Part 1 of my conversation with Dr. Zsolt Dézi, Senior Training Expert at the National Tax and Customs Administration in Hungary -- a fascinating look at a career that has spanned EU accession, and consistently looks both to identify areas of innovation, and to transmit that forward-thinking mentality to the next generation of Customs practitioners and leaders. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XTsZ8vucFFu71silpNoRA?si=f2a99128c4644668
Dr. Dézi's career showcases the kind of innovation-boosting thinking and networking at the core of PEN-CP.
March 2024
“The Future of Customs: The Role of AI in Enhancing Efficiency and Resiliency”, by Greg Pilkington – Customs GPT website (requires subscription): https://chat.openai.com/g/g-1NsV70Tl9-customsgpt
Penday Mar
“Experiences of the Dutch Customs during the first EBSI ELSA blockchain pilot”, by Elliot Donata, Dutch Customs administration; & “Next phase of the project”, by Nicolas Hauw, EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).
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EBSI ELSA full product journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQKnazbrl84
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Blockathon Proof of Concept results event after movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxPGXGJxwTI
Today's Pencast features the third and final segment of my conversation with Ash Bell, Assistant Secretary for Customs and Border Modernization at the Australian Border Force. Prior to joining the ABF, Ash served in important roles in Australian Treasury, including director and senior advisor in the markets group; and as a senior Treasury representative and senior economic diplomat in New Delhi.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/04kpZWUuHTHDxVTl7S41PF?si=vCOQvVplQnyrL7ua6Znwrg
Among other matters, Ash discusses the role of AI, machine learning and big data in tomorrow's cutting-edge customs administration. AND the importance of interdisciplinary, innovation-boosting projects and networks like the EU-funded PEN-CP!
This Pencast features Part 2 of my conversation with Ashley Bell, Assistant Secretary for Customs and Border Modernization at the Australian Border Force. Prior to joining the ABF, Mr. Bell served in important roles in Australian Treasury, including director and senior advisor in the markets group; and as a senior Treasury representative and senior economic diplomat in New Delhi.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gkPRMzKYP65ZnkUfQ6ILQ?si=c5d45a210aee4d0f
Among other matters, Mr. Bell discusses the role of AI, machine learning and big data in tomorrow's cutting-edge customs administration. His commentary suggests why the ABF is widely considered a border force at the forefront of customs innovation.
This Pencast features Part 1 of my conversation with Ashley Bell, Assistant Secretary for Customs and Border Modernization at the Australian Border Force. Prior to joining the ABF, Mr. Bell served in important roles in Australian Treasury, including director and senior advisor in the markets group; and as a senior Treasury representative and senior economic diplomat in New Delhi.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6n57di8VtjBYykQcPKTHo5?si=5b7zER0XSFaZYI9bSEnx1w
Among other topics, Mr. Bell discusses the role of AI, machine learning and big data in tomorrow's cutting-edge customs administration. His commentary suggests why the ABF is widely considered a border force at the forefront of customs innovation.
February 2024
This Pencast features Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, former Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, and high-level member of the Japanese Ministry of Finance. Earlier in his career, Dr. Mikuriya served as Counsellor in Japan's Mission to the WTO, and as a negotiator for Japan during the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations.
This Pencast features Part 1 of my conversation with Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, former Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, and high-level member of the Japanese Ministry of Finance. Earlier in his career, Dr. Mikuriya served as Counsellor in Japan's Mission to the WTO, and as a negotiator for Japan during the GATT Uruguay Round negotiations.
Penday Feb
PEN-CP Global Customs Innovation Award GCIA-2022/23, 1st place in Track-2 innovation ideas, “Customs Eye – Connecting the Dots - An innovative vision on nearby customs operation”, presentation by Ms. Mariël Zwaagstra, Dutch Customs Laboratory
Horizon Europe-project ARIEN “Artificial IntelligencE in fighting illicit drugs production and traffickiNg” by Ernesto La Mattina, DIGITECH-R&I, Head of AI & Data Analytics Research Unit, Engineering Ingegneria Informatica (Italy) - project website: http://www.arien-euproject.eu/
Latest and greatest with CELBET, updates by András Bartha, Head of CELBET - https://www.celbet.eu/
This Pencast features an interview with DragoÅŸ Tudorache, Member of the European Parliament and key force in writing the EU's new AI act. Mr. Tudorache shares fascinating insights on the future of AI in customs, warfare, migration, the essential importance of EU funding for innovation like Horizon programmes, and much more!
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https://open.spotify.com/episode/66a5t8pSK88GMQtuYSHix4?si=ojRmax_dS0O_b1XmF-lJ6g
January 2024
Horizon Europe project PERIVALLON – “Organised Environmental Crime as a Source of Financial Crime: Challenges and Innovations”; by Eduardo Villamor, ETRA (Spain) and Konstantinos Gkountakos, CERTH (Greece) – project website: https://perivallon-he.eu/
Horizon Europe project ODYSSEUS – “Aiming to enhance the experience of border crossing for travelers and border authorities’ staff while keeping secure and tracking the movements across external water and land borders of the EU.” – by Dana Oniga & Monica Florea & Iacob Crucianu, Simavi (Romania) – project website: https://odysseusproject.eu/
This Pencast looks at the dark, mysterious world of antiquities trafficking, with Axel Kerep, an archaeologist who's developing new technologies to detect and halt illicit trade in cultural property. Axel is the head of the Arti-Fact Project at PARCS Solutions, an organization devoted to cultural property protection via multiple technologies.
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Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) annual event on Disaster-Resilie
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December 2023
Here's part 1 of a 2-part Pencast with Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of SARS (South Africa Revenue Service) and Chairperson of the World Customs Organization.
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Part 1
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1neTqBRCyeuf0xvYHH7MVd?si=i7EpKnmvQUmIfjqxYCa_8g
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Part 2
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0i3SjqlKYnFV1dp35FQjWQ?si=vsxQKShFTOeGQ-ZuyUtRnQ
We feature Dr. Damien Romestant, Head of Economic Sanctions at the Corporate Crime Observatory, an international expert in financial crime, economic sanctions, export controls and compliance.
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November 2023
“Satellites & Customs” - updates by Michael Doherty (CBRA) from the EU Space Week 2023 / User Consultation Platform (UCP) plenary (7-9.11.2023) -
https://www.euspaceweek.eu/programme/08-11-2023/eu-space-users-user-consultation-platform-plenary
Penday Nov
PEN-CP Global Customs Innovation Award GCIA-2022/23, 2nd place in Track-2 innovation ideas, “Innovation in the control of border traffic - the creation of a law enforcement-related embedded/built-in screening system in the control of entry of goods”, presentation by Maj. Szilvia Kovács Simon, Law Enforcement Department of the Hungarian Customs / NTCA Central Management.
October 2023
Event 25-26 Oct
European Customs Training Network event in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The event was organized by PEN-CP, joint with the EU Customs Programme, and hosted by the Dutch Customs administration.
PEN-CP brought the training representatives together and built up a network by sharing good practices, modern training methods and innovative solutions in customs training activities.
PEN-CP leaflets were handed to the 30 officers across 15 administrations (of which 6 were non-PEN-CP countries)
This Pencast features Satya Prasad ("SP") Sahu, senior trade facilitation specialist at the World Bank. SP has decades of experience in trade and finance, both with the Indian Ministry of Finance and as Senior Technical Officer at the World Customs Organization.
Part 1
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RaMdEy4UvgTKaey06d3dG
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Part 2
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7gHdV8sz21K0e109AbRQIa
Part 3
World Customs Organization Tech Conference 2023, Day 3
https://www.pen-cp.net/post/world-customs-organization-tech-conference-2023-day-3
World Customs Organization Tech Conference 2023, Day 2
https://www.pen-cp.net/post/world-customs-organization-tech-conference-2023-day-2
World Customs Organization Tech Conference 2023, Day 1
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https://www.pen-cp.net/post/world-customs-organization-tech-conference-2023-day-1
The World Customs Organization Technology Conference 2023 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam - “Embracing the Digital Age: Leveraging Technology, Fostering Innovation, and Nurturing the Next Generation of Customs Professionals”
https://wcotechconf2023.wcoevents.org
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PEN-CP was represented at the event by partners UKBF, Dutch Customs, and CBRA. Contributions included moderating the opening session; one formal presentation; and engaging with event participants during various breaks.
Around 60 PEN-CP leaflets were handed out (on-site and online: total over 1000 registered participants).
​New Horizon Europe project CONNECTOR: “Customs Extended Interoperable Common Information Sharing Environment”, by Giorgos Kampas, Project Manager, with Pantelis Michalis, Satways, Greece - https://www.satways.net/
“WCO Green Customs action plan”, by Sophany Ramaen, Policy Officer, EU Customs Affairs, Belgian Customs Administration - https://bit.ly/46DwuG9
Penday Oct
PEN-CP Global Customs Innovation Award GCIA-2022/23: 3rd place in both GCIA-tracks, presentations by South African Revenue Service (SARS) expert team - Michael Yates (Area Head: Vendor Management, Digital Solutions and Services), co-presenting with Hanno Van Tonder, Siphiwe Mkhwanazi and William Blackwell
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GCIA-Track1 Customs innovations in use: “SARS Customs Risk Engine”
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GCIA-Track2 Ideas for Customs innovations: “Blockchain - Transforming Customs Border Management”
September 2023
This Pencast is with Jose Luis Perez Diaz, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alcalá and coordinator of MELCHIOR, a Horizon Europe funded project to rapidly detect drugs, explosives, weapons and illicit goods concealed on or inside people, employing a range of novel, noncontact technologies.
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Part 1
https://open.spotify.com/episode/24UYAkqGqiEXbJp1R6x4Of?si=462189ce5ff44ff0
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Part 2
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kJgSTcKT7eTOvzg0scYlE?si=21ee4d595f7c46b1
Pencast resources: José Luis Pérez Díaz of the Universidad de Alcalá
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INCB - 3rd international expert group meeting on “Expanding International Narcotics Control Board lists of dangerous substances with no known legitimate use and novel approaches for their identification in falsified or illicitly manufactured pharmaceuticals” - closed door event in Vienna, Austria
https://www.incb.org/incb/en/index.html
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PEN-CP partners UKBF and CBRA, topped with experts from the PARSEC project, delivered a 1 hour 45 minute session titled “Two European research and innovation projects bridging Customs and Pharma sectors in the fight against illicit trade: PARSEC for detection and material identification and PEN-CP for innovation boosting partnership”
In addition, PEN-CP leaflets were handed to all participants (a pack of 50 leaflets total).
"Environmentally friendly recycling service on the site where cigarettes are stored and destroyed by Customs authorities”, by Michael Wylde, CEO of Rezero -
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"The future of combating counterfeit - No parcel goes unchecked”, by Karolina Zhytnikova, Legal Manager (Brand Protection & IP),Countercheck -
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H2020-project ALIGNER: “A research and policy roadmap for AI in support of law enforcement " by Daniel Lückerath, Project Manager, Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS -
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"How to use traceability to combat illicit tobacco trade”, by Sébastien Spanneut, Head of Global Track & Trace Delivery, Worldline -
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August 2023
Today's episode features Marek Helm, the CEO of GScan, an Estonia-based producer of vehicle and cargo scanning technology that uses recent developments in atmospheric ray tomography. Data provided by muons, electrons, positrons and neutrons that pass through objects, once processed by AI and machine learning, allows the non-intrusive identification of cargo contents.
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July 2023
Today's Pencast conversation is with Micha Slegt, a senior scientist in the customs laboratory of the Customs Administration of the Netherlands. After earning a PhD in chemistry, Micha has worked for Dutch Customs for 17 years as senior chemist and researcher. He's currently in Brussels for a year, furthering his education via a posting with Belgium Customs.
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June 2023
Meet AELER, a forward thinking logistics innovation firm that brings advanced technologies to the container, the building block of our global economy, and to the ecosystem that surrounds the container. AELER scored second in the recent PEN-CP Innovation Prize. Today’s interview features company founder and co-CEO Naik Londono, and Port Network Lead Gadi Benmoshe.
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TAPA EMEA, RESILIENCE@RISK Conference & Exhibition, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 100 PEN-CP leaflets were made available at a TAPA stand, for the 500 delegates who attended the event.
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https://conference.tapaemea.org/welcome-to-the-tapa-emea-resiliencerisk/
Projects to Policy Seminar (PPS), co-organised by DG HOME and REA, in Brussels, Belgium. Table at the Border Management dedicated booth was used to pass 60 PEN-CP leaflets to the PPS event participants.
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https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/whats-new/events/projects-policy-seminar-2023-06-14_en
Podcast Resources: Dawn Wilkes of the UPU
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https://www.pen-cp.net/post/podcast-resources-dawn-wilkes-of-the-upu
PHARMAP 2023, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packaging Congress, in Geneva, Switzerland. PEN-CP delivered a joint presentation with PARSEC: “Fighting trade in illicit medicines through technological innovation and cooperation between customs and the pharmaceutical industry.”
And, 80 PEN-CP leaflets were made available for over 250 pharmaceutical sector professionals.
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CUSTOMS AND PHARMA SECTORS - A NEW INFORMATION SHARING
PARTNERSHIP ABOUT USEFUL AND PROMISING INNOVATIONS
An 18-month pilot program begins between European Customs administrations and
Pharmaceutical companies, aimed at sharing information and learning from each other on
innovations particularly in material anomaly detection, anti-counterfeit measures, and
risk assessment tools and databases
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https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_46aa8e9cfbbc4556b67cc0440abdac08.pdf
Today's Pencast features Dawn Wilkes, Program Manager of the Security Group at the Universal Postal Union, the primary forum for postal cooperation between governments, Posts, regulators and other stakeholders, whose membership spans 192 countries. Previously, Ms. Wilkes worked at the Global Security Group of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement branch of the U.S. Postal Service. This recording is the second half of our conversation.
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WCO-UPU Global Conference, specifically Session 4 “Cross-border e-commerce in postal items-what data work and how it can be utilized?”, in Tokyo, Japan. PEN-CP presented the annual study “Customs Innovations for Fighting Fraud and Trafficking in Cross-border Parcel Flows”. And, some 30 leaflets were handed to the event participants.
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Advancing Research and Innovation in Security with Horizon Europe - hybrid event organised by the Euresearch Network Office, in Lausanne, Switzerland. PEN-CP delivered an online presentation showcasing the project as “EU Framework program grant enabling true boosting of Customs innovations”.
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The PEN-CP YouTube channel, originally launched by the Cross-border Research Association (CBRA) in December 2017, reaches the 30.000 views/listens milestone
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https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_ca5b1a1aabd644018a93fcfaafbd9494.pdf
Today's Pencast features Dawn Wilkes, Program Manager of the Security Group at the Universal Postal Union, the primary forum for postal cooperation between governments, Posts, regulators and other stakeholders, whose membership spans 192 countries. Previously, Ms. Wilkes worked at the Global Security Group of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the federal law enforcement branch of the U.S. Postal Service. This recording is the first half of our conversation - the second half will appear next week.
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The winner of the 1st PEN-CP Innovation Prize (PIP-2022/23)* - “Advanced cargo scanner image analysis and threat object recognition training” - by Donatas Limantas, INTA, Lithuania -
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The World Resources Institute (WRI) & Open Timber Portal (OTP) - by Sophie Lebaste -
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Live video-streaming by AELER, the 3rd place participant in the 1st PEN-CP Innovation Prize (PIP-2022/23)* - “Smart containers with real-time track-and-trace and cargo monitoring, and software that identifies normal and atypical cargo behavior” - by co-CEO David Baur -
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Please download the magazine at our website:
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https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_0c193e7c94cc4b37a7d1e20ca89302c7.pdf
May 2023
RISE-SD 2023, EU Research and Innovation show in the field of Civil Protection & Defense, in Rhodes, Greece. Some 50 PEN-CP leaflets were made available for approximately 200 participants and 20 RDI projects in Disaster and crisis management; Critical Infrastructure protection, and Border security.
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Rupa Ganguli is an Indian social entrepreneur and campaigner for sustainable development and equality within the textile industry. She has founded a series of organizations, including SPINNA Circle and most recently Inclusive Trade, which aims to be the Amazon of fair trade. Inclusive Trade was named "Small Business Champion 2022”, a joint award of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), International Trade Centre (ITC) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Inclusive Trade recently received a prestigious GOLD Investibility rating from Capital Pilot, the investment rating agency.
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WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN THE 1ST PEN-CP INNOVATION PRIZE
Prize winners are innovators in cargo scanner image analysis, subatomic
particle scanning and smart container technology
https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_51827e1fc6954035a1b12699bdc724da.pdf
Enrika NaujokÄ— is co-founder of CustomsClear, an E-learning platform for customs practitioners that aims to engage customs practitioners in continuous professional growth and lifelong learning, and to contribute to the seamless and sustainable movement of goods across borders -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pxXTmlpiqM&list=PLwiRBCj7ddoKP5rfa0Yv7KKJAiFwzBiGo&index=5
April 2023
CERIS SSRI “Networks of Practitioners” Workshop: Exploitation of outcomes, capability requirements, and future perspectives, Brussels, Belgium - PEN-CP joined a panel session “Planning for the Future: Forward-looking methodologies for identifying and assessing capability requirements”
PEN-CP Year 4 Annual Event, Tirana, Albania - Approximately 45 participants (customs officers over 50%); Keynote speech: “Customs Inside Anywhere, Insights Everywhere” by Frank Heijmann, Dutch Customs, author of the bestselling book available here:
Conversation with Carlos Grau Tanner, Global Express Association
https://www.pen-cp.net/post/penblog-conversation-with-carlos-grau-tanner-global-express-association
Conversation with Ricardo Treviño Chapa, World Customs Organization (part 2)
Conversation with Ricardo Treviño Chapa, World Customs Organization (part 1)
Frank Heijmann is a senior executive in the Customs Administration of The Netherlands, with over 35 years of customs experience. He wrote CUSTOMS: Inside Anywhere, Insights Everywhere, the most complete and up-to-date introduction to the complex world of Customs available in print, published in October 2022 by Trichis Publishing in Rotterdam https://bit.ly/3UFEIbR. Frank is now Head of Trade Relations at the Customs Administration of the Netherlands, and guest lectures at several universities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgnMag0nGe0&list=PLwiRBCj7ddoKP5rfa0Yv7KKJAiFwzBiGo&index=4
Final submission deadline extension until 19 May 2023. Call texts are available at the PEN-CP website. PEN-CP-2022-ER7: Electronic seals for curtain sided transport — State-of-play & market review
https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_9bc1a78ca61e4628919b4791bf6e27d0.pdf
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PEN-CP-2022-ER8: Sensor systems as e-seals for curtain-sided transport — customs requirements and future priorities -
https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_149339fd719343c2aed688cb32d44597.pdf
Please download the magazine at our website
https://www.pen-cp.net/_files/ugd/8fecfb_7b9218f1916546e9948d84c505ecae7d.pdf
March 2023
Hurricane’s goal is to create a unified data highway that calculates duty and taxes in real time, while screening out prohibited and restricted goods and denied parties. Company leaders David Spottiswood and Martin Palmer share some of their views of the future of data, and explain how their unified vision of data consistency and transparency will benefit all stakeholders, public and private, in the customs universe. -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3dwVZlpPcg&list=PLwiRBCj7ddoKP5rfa0Yv7KKJAiFwzBiGo&index=3
On this episode we meet Carlos Grau Tanner, the Director General of the Global Express Association (GEA), who discusses the association’s work on issues such as international trade policy, trade facilitation and customs, e-commerce and air cargo security; highlights some of the valuable resources that GEA makes available to the industry and the general public; and speculates on what the future may hold for customs and express carriers, in a world of ever-growing e-commerce traffic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1oJMt82AbQ&list=PLwiRBCj7ddoKP5rfa0Yv7KKJAiFwzBiGo&index=2
OECD Task Force Meeting on Countering Illicit Trade, Paris, France - PEN-CP introduced and 15 leaflets handed out -
https://www.oecd.org/gov/illicit-trade/
Security & Policing Event, Farnborough, UK - PEN-CP promoted alongside UK Governmental Agencies & one dozen leaflets handed out (CBRA & UKBF participating) -
https://www.securityandpolicing.co.uk/news/record-breaking-success-for-security-policing-2023/
On the first episode of our Pencast re-launch, we speak with Ricardo Treviño Chapa, Deputy Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, whose diverse background in finance, revenue collection, social security and in customs for Mexico and the Caribbean Region provides invaluable skills and allies for his current role at the WCO. Ricardo’s wealth of previous experiences, and his current leadership of an energetic modernization programme at the WCO, give him unique perspectives on the future of customs innovation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zp4DIfgPRbw&list=PLwiRBCj7ddoKP5rfa0Yv7KKJAiFwzBiGo&index=1
CERIS Workshop: “Methods and examples of piloting and validation of innovative border management solutions”, Brussels, Belgium - PEN-CP joined one of the panels, presenting: “Project introduction; Spectrum of PEN-CP innovation instruments; and Piloting & testing online & e-learning tools” -
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Radiation detection & video streaming, by Marco Panniello & colleagues, Arktis Radiation Detectors Ltd
Border management standardization roadmap, by Pertti Woitch, PEN-CP Ethics Advisor
February 2023
“Global Textile Scheme (GTS) and Digital Product Pass – details of a new data exchange standard for textile product data and its potentials for European Customs” – by Andreas R. Schneider, CEO, Global Textile Scheme GmbH
“Muon FLUX: a safer, more automatic, and penetrating inspection scanner technology by GScan” - by Andi Hektor, PhD | Chair of the Board | GScan OU
“From a Blockathon to a production-grade project on counterfeits”, European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights, EUIPO - by Nicolas Hauw, Project Lead
January 2023
Workshop Swiss and EU start-up support, hybrid online & @Lausanne, Switzerland - PEN-CP used as an example of a EU-funded network of practitioners -project -
https://www.epfl-innovationpark.ch/
December 2022
“Horizon Europe Project iFLOWS : Advanced technologies for scanning and detection of illicit material for postal services and express courier flows”, by DI Dr. Thomas Staffenberger, iFLOWS Coordinator, Austria,
“The future of global trade data”, by Peter Bulters, CEO of CATTS, the Netherlands, Winner of the WCO Hackathon 2022
November 2022
The 25th Administrative Meeting for National Contact Points of WCO Regional Liaison Office Eastern and Central Europe (RILO ECE), online - PEN-CP introduced to approximately 40 Customs officers across RILO ECE member administrations -
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“Muon imaging overview and opportunities for customs”, by Dezso Varga, Head of High Energy Physics Department, Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungary
“The solution for the mandatory requirement for complete, accurate and compliant advanced electronic data (AED) in cross-border eCommerce”, by Co-Founder David Spottiswood, Hurricane Commerce
“Global Express Association (GEA) Customs Capability Database: Tracking trade facilitation implementation from express delivery industry perspective”, by GEA Customs and Security Advisor Dietmar Jost & Director General of the GEA Carlos Grau Tanner, Switzerland
October 2022
EU High-level Customs Risk Management event - during CZ PRES the High-Level Seminar focused on the area of risk management and risk analysis - Prague, Czech Republic - 50 PEN-CP leaflets handed out to all participants, primarily intelligence and risk management directors across all Member States -
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WCO Technology Exhibition, Maastricht, the Netherlands - PEN-CP presented to a wide audience during lunch break slot & 100 PEN-CP leaflets handed out (at partner-UNIL booth) -
CERIS Border Management Expert Group, Brussels, Belgium - 15 PEN-CP leaflets handed out
“Horizon Europe project MELCHIOR - MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE and MULTIPHYSICS CONCEALED AND HIDDEN OBJECTS INTERROGATION” (started on 1.9.2022, 3 year duration), by Project coordinator Professor José Luis Pérez Díaz, Universidad de Alcalá, Spain.
June 2022
Global Customs Innovation Award co-winner UK Border Force (UKBF) & GCIA-2021 submission titled “Designed and embedded carrier connectivity dashboards, to identify carriers importing freight into Great Britain that are not submitting mandated pre-arrival safety and security declarations”, by Chris Hodges and Pardeep Bilkhu
Global Customs Innovation Award GCIA-2021 co-winner Australian Border Force (ABF) & “Innovation activities at ABF”, by Alison Graham