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The delegates shared their Country Reports on e-commerce legislation and phytosanitary systems, providing an informative source of best practices and innovations that added to the participants’ knowledge necessary to monitor digital platforms, utilize risk profiling to identify high-risk shipments, and enforce compliance in partnership with postal services and express carriers.

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Through the workshop, the delegates recognized that harmonizing phytosanitary regulations across borders, supported by capacity-building initiatives through training and provision of resources for personnel (including customs officials, plant health inspectors, and e-commerce stakeholders), is essential. This coordinated approach, addressing regulation, implementation, and expertise, is crucial for mitigating the risk of pest introduction and spread associated with online trade.

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As part of the workshop, the participants also visited the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC), the main hub for handling international airmail and parcels. At the facility, they observed how mail and packages are processed, screened by customs, and prepared for local dispatch. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) discussed the window and receiving processes, followed by a walkthrough to help participants gain a complete understanding of the operations.

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Overall, the workshop equipped Asia-Pacific representatives with new knowledge and strategies to take home and begin implementing effective measures to better safeguard their agriculture from devastating crop losses, ensure safe international trade, and protect their unique biodiversity from invasive plant pests associated with e-commerce.

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