From 18 to 20 May 2026, the World Customs Organization (WCO), under the WCO BACUDA Project and with the support of the Customs Cooperation Fund of Korea (CCF Korea), conducted a specialized National Workshop on Data Analytics and Technology-Driven Risk Management for Mexico Customs in Querétaro, Mexico. The three-day intensive workshop brought together Customs officers from the National Customs Agency of Mexico (ANAM), specializing in intelligence analysis, data analytics, risk management and ICT. The program aimed to enhance Mexico Customs’ technical capacity in data-driven methodologies, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen strategic decision-making and transition toward intelligence-based risk management frameworks.

The workshop was structured around core thematic areas designed to combine theoretical frameworks with immersive, hands-on technical training.The workshop commenced with an interactive discussion on Mexico Customs’ existing data analytics environment, focusing on their infrastructure and governance protocols. During this session, Mexico Customs officials and WCO experts exchanged insights to identify current capabilities and collaborative opportunities.  WCO experts then introduced the BACUDA initiative, highlighting its suite of AI models and demonstrating real-world customs applications, including extensive case studies from the Korea Customs Service.

The second day focused on preparatory sessions dedicated to the data analytics pipeline and data quality management, accompanied by practical group exercises. This was followed by comprehensive, hands-on technical sessions dedicated to the BACUDA LITE DATE fraud detection algorithm. Utilizing Google Colaboratory, participants gained practical experience in loading declaration data, feature enhancement, model implementation, and interpreting analytical outputs for risk scoring and anomaly detection.

The final phase of the workshop focused on strategic institutional readiness. Utilizing the WCO AI/ML Readiness Self-Assessment Tool, participants evaluated Mexico Customs’ current capabilities across key dimensions, including governance, technology infrastructure, organizational culture, and analytical skills. This group exercise allowed the administration to identify capability gaps and establish a structured baseline for future development.

The outcomes of the exercises and self-assessments were translated into strategic recommendations to help Mexico Customs outline a time-bound AI implementation roadmap aligned with short-, medium-, and long-term priorities. This roadmap supports Mexico Customs’ broader modernization and digital transformation goals, transitioning from traditional border control models toward advanced, technology-driven risk management frameworks.

At the closing session, the WCO experts emphasized the importance of sustained investment in data governance, the gradual adoption of AI models, and the promotion of a data-driven culture across the administration. The workshop concluded with a mutual commitment to ongoing collaboration, as the WCO reaffirmed its steadfast support for Mexico Customs throughout its digital transformation and data analytics journey.