The Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade (TRACIT) maintain a strong partnership aimed at addressing the risks of illicit trade with regard to global postal security. Their cooperation focuses on mitigating the trafficking of illicit goods through detection, starting with illicit pharmaceuticals and expanding to encompass several other areas impacted by illicit trade. This cooperation led to the creation of a special task force – the Illicit Goods Mitigation Expert Team – in 2022. Subsequently, the UPU and TRACIT signed an initial memorandum of understanding in 2023, which was reaffirmed in 2025 to codify their intent to work together on mitigating illicit goods.
- UPU–TRACIT survey: In order to understand the challenges faced by postal operators in fighting illicit trade, the UPU issued a survey to the national Posts of all its member countries, with the support of TRACIT. The survey addressed vulnerabilities in postal networks, the capacity of Posts to intercept illicit parcels, data collection and exchange, and Posts’ suggestions for improving the situation. More than 115 national responses to the survey were received, indicating that this is a priority.
- UPU–TRACIT awareness brochure: The UPU and TRACIT have jointly developed a brochure to raise awareness about the misuse of small parcels as a conduit for illicit trade. This initiative highlights how criminals exploit the global postal and express delivery systems to traffic illicit goods.
- UPU–TRACIT position paper: As a large majority of Posts view illicit trade as a significant problem and face challenges in addressing the situation, the UPU and TRACIT have collaborated to publish a joint position paper based on the information provided via the survey. The goal of the position paper is to raise awareness and provide stakeholders with tools to ensure the efficiency of their supply chains and reduce infiltration points and other vulnerabilities associated with the increase in illicit goods shipped via their networks.
- Pharma toolkit: The UPU has contributed to the development of an interactive virtual toolkit that includes a detection guide, postmaster briefing and awareness materials. The toolkit, which was finalized in 2024, supports postal operators in identifying and mitigating illicit pharmaceutical threats in the mail stream.
- Training modules on IPR infringement and cigarette trafficking: TRACIT has contributed to the development of two specialized training modules for the UPU, aimed at strengthening postal operators’ capacity to detect and prevent illicit trade. The first module focuses on understanding intellectual property rights and the infringement thereof, with an emphasis on identifying counterfeit goods and methods for intercepting them within the postal network. The second module addresses the scale and scope of illicit cigarette trafficking, highlighting its societal and economic consequences, and equipping postal personnel with ways to identify and intercept illicit tobacco products in the mail stream.
For more information on the trafficking of illicit goods in small parcels, click here.
For more information on the fight against illicit trade, click here.
Illicit goods – UPU illicit goods mitigation portal
Fake pharmaceuticals – UPU and TRACIT fake pharmaceuticals campaign
UPU–TRACIT guide to detecting illicit pharmaceuticals in small packets
Developed by the UPU and TRACIT, this guide is a key resource for postal operators in detecting illicit pharmaceuticals in small packets.
Download the guide in the following languages:
