Combating Environmental Trade Crime: The Role of Customs in Protecting Global Commons

Trade-based environmental crime is growing by an average of 8 percent per year, making it one of the fastest-growing categories of transnational crime. Customs agencies worldwide are expanding their enforcement capabilities to address this growing threat.

The Scale of Environmental Trade Crime

Environmental crime encompasses illegal wildlife trade, trafficking in hazardous waste, illegal logging and timber trade, and trade in ozone-depleting substances. The global value of these crimes exceeds USD 280 billion annually, rivaling drug trafficking in scale.

Much of this trade flows through legitimate commercial channels, making customs detection essential. Criminal networks exploit complex supply chains and documentation to disguise illegal goods as lawful commerce.

Key Environmental Conventions

Several international conventions require customs enforcement:

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates trade in over 38,000 species of plants and animals. Customs must verify permits and detect fraudulent documentation.

The Basel Convention controls transboundary movements of hazardous wastes. Customs inspects waste shipments to prevent illegal dumping in developing countries.

The Montreal Protocol phases out ozone-depleting substances. Customs monitors trade to prevent smuggling of banned refrigerants and chemicals.

Detection Challenges

Environmental contraband is often concealed within legitimate shipments, requiring targeted inspection based on risk analysis. Mislabeling and false documentation are common tactics.

Species identification requires specialized knowledge that general customs officers may lack. Training programs and expert consultations are essential for effective enforcement.

Technology and Intelligence

Advanced scanning technologies help detect concealed wildlife products and hazardous materials. DNA analysis can identify species from processed goods like leather and timber.

Intelligence sharing through networks like the WCO Customs Enforcement Network (CEN) enables cross-border coordination. Regional cooperation agreements facilitate joint operations and information exchange.

Dubai's Enforcement Approach

Dubai Customs has established specialized units for environmental enforcement, with officers trained in CITES identification and hazardous waste classification. Integration with environmental authorities ensures expert support for complex cases.

Risk profiling systems incorporate environmental indicators, flagging shipments from high-risk origins or involving sensitive commodities for enhanced inspection.

The Business Case for Compliance

Companies involved in environmental trade crimes face severe penalties including criminal prosecution, asset seizure, and reputational damage. Due diligence on supply chains is essential for avoiding inadvertent involvement.

Legitimate traders benefit from enhanced enforcement that eliminates unfair competition from criminal enterprises and protects market integrity for sustainable products.