The World Health Organization, working with the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization, has supported a major update to the global system used by countries to classify goods at customs. As part of the Harmonized System 2028, which will enter into force on 1 January 2028, thirty-eight new customs codes will be introduced for human vaccines and other critical medical products, including personal protective equipment, ambulances and mobile clinics. This update is designed to improve the tracking of medical shipments worldwide and enable faster, more coordinated responses during future health emergencies.
The Harmonized System is used by more than 200 countries and economies to classify traded goods, determine tariffs and compile international trade statistics. By expanding and refining customs codes for vaccines, the updated system allows trade policies to better support public health priorities. It will help streamline customs procedures for essential vaccines during emergencies and improve access to reliable global trade data, supporting greater transparency and advancing WHO’s long-term goal of equitable vaccine access.
WHO played a key technical role in the revision by assessing which existing and pipeline vaccines should be reflected in the new classification. This work was supported by the WHO Market Information for Access platform, which draws on data from Member States to identify vaccines with significant or emerging trade volumes and those critical for preventing diseases where immunization is essential.
The updated vaccine classification highlights the value of collaboration between the WCO, WTO and WHO, demonstrating how multilateral partnerships can address global challenges and shape international standards that strengthen health emergency preparedness worldwide.
