International Business and Customs Institute of Riga Technical University offers study programmes, training and advancement of professional skills and competences for specialists in the fields of International Business, Logistics and Administration of Customs and Taxes.

The following study programmes are offered: Logistics (First Level Professional Higher Education Study Programme), Business Logistics (Bachelor Study Programme), Management of International Economic Relations (Bachelor and Master Study Programmes). Logistics and Supply Chain Security (Master Study Programme) and Administration of Customs and Taxes (Bachelor and Master Study Programmes). Studies can be continued on the doctoral level. The study programmes are in Latvian, except for the programmes Management of International Economic Relations and Logistics and Supply Chain Security which is offered in English for international students

The activities of the Institute are aimed at implementing the study programmes, active engagement in research, international cooperation and supporting high quality academic and professional studies in other RTU programmes.

The study programmes in the field of customs have been developed in close cooperation with the State Revenue Service of Latvia. In 2010 Bachelor and Master Study Programme “Administration of Customs and Taxes” became the first in the world to receive recognition from the World Customs Organization (WCO) as meeting the requirements of the WCO international standards for the customs profession. In 2009 the standards for customs profession were approved at the WCO Council meeting by 177 WCO member states.

RTU is a partner organization of the World Custom Organisation (WCO). The MOU between the WCO and the RTU International Business and Customs Institute was signed in 2005 to promote co-operation in the development and provision of world-class customs training, education, capacity building and research.

Professional Bachelor and Master Study Programmes “Management of International Economic Relations” have been designed taking into account recommendations from employers, as well as international trends.

The study programme “Business Logistics” has been developed and is being implemented in cooperation with professional logistics organizations: the Latvian Logistics Association, Latvian Association of Freight Forwarders and Logistics (LAFF), Lithuanian National Association of Forwarders and Logistics „Lineka”, as well as logistics service providers, such as “Latvijas Dzelzceļš”, DHL, RIMI, Kreiss, etc. During their studies the students acquire theoretical knowledge and practical skills. The students are taught by highly qualified academic staff and professionals from the industry. All study programmes include integrated English language courses that prepare the future graduates for international careers.

The study programmes of the RTU International Business and Customs Institute score high in the Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking. In 2021 the Master’s programme “Administration of Customs and Taxes” was ranked 29th among the world’s 100 best programmes in the category Tax Administration. In the category International Management the Master’s programme “Management of International Economic Relations” ranks No.3 in Eastern Europe.

The Institute has around 7000 graduates and approximately 1000 students are currently enrolled in the programmes.

International Business and Customs Institute of Riga Technical University also provides professional training and qualification advancement courses for customs and tax administration professionals, representatives of the freight and logistics industry. Our clients are certified customs brokers, declarants, employees of companies, organizations and institutions. Courses are organized on a regular basis. Training can also be tailored to the learning needs of a specific company.

The Institute is actively engaged in cooperation with universities and customs administrations in the region (Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine), as well as other countries.

The Institute participates in various international projects that are targeted towards improving border security and developing customs education, such as the EU funded project for 5 Central Asian countries “Border Management in Central Asia” (BOMCA) where RTU was a leader of one of the three project components during the 9^th Phase of the project (BOMCA-9). RTU customs experts consult universities and institutions of the Central Asian countries- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan on developing a customs education and training system that meets the WCO requirements and international standards for customs profession. From 2010 till 2014 RTU customs experts participated in the development and work of the Consortium of Central Asian Customs Training Institutions. In the framework of BOMCA-8 programme the Institute participated in developing a common basic customs training programme for 5 Central Asian states.

The academic staff members of International Business and Customs Institute are in the WCO PICARD (Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development) Advisory Group.

The Institute has cooperated with agencies in the U.S. in the area of non-proliferation and control of dual-commodity goods. The academic staff has also been involved in international projects in Nepal, Georgia, Uganda and Ruanda related to the issues of border management and customs education.