New Global Customs Codes to Speed Vaccine and Medical Supply Trade

The reform is designed to make it easier to track shipments of vaccines and medical products worldwide, improve the availability of trade data, and enable faster, more coordinated responses during future health emergencies.

The World Health Organization (WHO), working with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO), has helped modernise the global customs classification system to better support public health, introducing 38 new customs codes for vaccines and essential medical products.

The new codes will take effect on 1 January 2028 under the updated Harmonized System (HS 2028) and will cover human vaccines as well as critical medical goods such as facemasks, personal protective equipment, ambulances and mobile clinics.

The reform is designed to make it easier to track shipments of vaccines and medical products worldwide, improve the availability of trade data, and enable faster, more coordinated responses during future health emergencies.

A Global Standard Used by More Than 200 Economies

The Harmonized System is the world’s most widely used customs classification framework, applied by more than 200 countries and economies to classify traded goods, set tariffs and compile comparable trade statistics.

By expanding and refining vaccine- and health-related classifications, the updated system allows trade policies and customs procedures to align more closely with public health priorities.

In practical terms, the new codes will support expedited customs clearance for essential vaccines and medical supplies during emergencies, while improving transparency and oversight of global trade flows.

Supporting Faster, Fairer Access to Vaccines

WHO said the changes mark an important step toward its long-term goal of equitable access to vaccines worldwide.

More detailed customs data will allow governments, international organisations and partners to better monitor supply chains, identify bottlenecks and respond more effectively to surges in demand during outbreaks and pandemics.

WHO’s Role in Shaping the New Classification

WHO played a central role in developing the updated classifications by assessing which vaccines — both currently in use and in development — should be included.

This work was supported by the WHO Market Information for Access (MI4A) peer platform, which draws on data provided by Member States to identify vaccines with significant current or expected trade volumes, as well as those critical for diseases where immunisation is essential.

The evidence-based approach ensured the new codes reflect real-world trade patterns and future public health needs.

Multilateral Cooperation Driving Global Standards

The update highlights the strength of collaboration between WHO, WTO and WCO in addressing global challenges at the intersection of health and trade.

By shaping international customs standards, the partnership demonstrates how multilateral cooperation can remove barriers, improve preparedness and ensure that lifesaving products move more quickly across borders when they are needed most.

The HS 2028 update represents a structural reform with lasting benefits for global health security, trade transparency and emergency response readiness.