Cooperation with the WCO

Customs check goods, documents and travellers on entering and leaving territories. They have unique powers of control, seizure and investigation, and handle considerable volumes every day. Illicit cultural property goes unnoticed there, for want of tools and training.

The aim of the cooperation is to make these officers able to recognise a suspect object in a few minutes, check its documents and consult the BIOP database.

The WCO brings its network of 185 administrations, its exchange channels, its training procedures and its customs nomenclatures. OIMAP brings knowledge of cultural property, the experts and the BIOP database. Together they produce training materials, guides and sheets.

The two organisations hold regional training sessions each year, adapted to the types of trafficking in each region, and practical exercises in ports and airports.

In 2024, the customs services of participating States reported 1,140 cases of suspect cultural property, of which 310 were confirmed by OIMAP experts. Seizures rose by 22% compared with 2023. Use of the BIOP database at borders has doubled in two years.

These results are encouraging but remain partial: many crossing points are still poorly equipped. Extending the programme to new States is a priority.

The WCO – OIMAP programme remains uneven across regions. States in Africa and South-East Asia, particularly affected by transit, are among the most in need of support. The Protection Fund finances training and equipment in these regions.

In time, the aim is for every important border post to have a trained officer, access to the BIOP database and an identification guide suited to the most frequent property.