World Customs Organization Warns: Illicit Trade Shifts to E-Commerce
The “Illicit Trade Report 2025” published by the World Customs Organization revealed that cross-border movements of illicit goods are increasingly shifting toward e-commerce, postal, parcel, and express courier networks. According to the report, which is based on 163,850 cases reported by a total of 170 customs administrations, e-commerce has become a major logistics channel used in 44.8 percent of global cases.
World Customs Organization Draws Attention to Small Parcels
The report stated that 68.2 percent of counterfeit goods cases, 65.1 percent of counterfeit medical product cases, and 62.6 percent of cannabis cases were detected in parcel and postal systems. In addition, 23.9 percent of environmental crime cases and 23.6 percent of security-related cases involving weapons, restricted drones, and tactical equipment were found to be connected to these channels.
World Customs Organization Secretary General Ian Saunders stated that the use of e-commerce, postal, and courier networks by criminal organizations points to a fundamental shift in the distribution of illicit goods. Saunders said customs administrations must respond to this development with agile, intelligence-led, and forward-looking methods.
E-Commerce Channel Comes to the Fore in Synthetic Drugs
Seizures involving new psychoactive substances doubled compared with 2024, reaching 7,721 cases. Postal and courier networks were used extensively because these products can be transported in small and lightweight parcels. Fentanyl seizures accounted for 30.6 percent of opioid cases in 2025.
South Africa was recorded as a major point of origin for illicit diamonds and semi-precious stones shipped to Asia and the Middle East. Namibia ranked third worldwide in cannabis seizures with 60.6 tonnes, while South Africa ranked ninth. Global cannabis seizures reached 548.8 tonnes. The transportation of counterfeit medical products in small parcels in West and Central Africa was also identified as a significant risk.
AI-Powered Inspections on the Agenda
The World Customs Organization states that artificial intelligence and machine learning can strengthen risk assessment, fraud detection, and cargo inspections. The organization is calling for improved data quality, greater information sharing, and coordinated efforts between customs administrations and e-commerce, retail, logistics, and courier companies.