At a pivotal moment for Latin American customs enforcement, Webb Fontaine will present "Zerø" in Rio de Janeiro, a platform designed to bridge the gap between regulatory policy and real-time detection of illicit trade flows.
DUBAI, UAE, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Webb Fontaine, a global leader in AI-driven trade technologies for Governments, will spotlight how Artificial Intelligence is transforming customs risk management in the Americas and globally, at the upcoming TRACIT Combatting Illicit Trade Summit, taking place from 14-16 April at the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro. As a sponsor of the event, led by Brazilian Customs (Receita Federal), and bringing together Customs authorities, government representatives, and trade stakeholders from across Latin America, the company will contribute to discussions on how AI-powered systems can help combat illicit trade more effectively, strengthen enforcement, reduce revenue leakage, and build long-term resilience against illicit trade.
Latin America is navigating a complex trade environment with a structural disruption brought about by fluctuations in tariff and increase in export volumes on one side and transnational crimes on the other side with challenges as diverse as cigarette smuggling, counterfeit goods, and trade-based money laundering. Customs operating in such environment need to be able to iterate faster than legacy systems can be updated.
It is in this context that Webb Fontaine proposes to shift the AI focus from traditional automated systems to a new generation of agentic AI platforms capable of adapting, learning and operating continuously and in real time. While earlier efforts centred on digitising paperwork and automating workflows, today's challenge lies in enabling systems to evolve alongside increasingly complex and dynamic global trade environments.
Introducing Webb Fontaine Zerø: The AI-Native Era
First introduced at the WCO Technology Conference 2026, Webb Fontaine Zerø represents a fundamental shift in how customs administrations operate. Key innovations include:
- Natural Language Interaction: Eliminates the "translation gap" by allowing policy experts to describe regulatory changes (like tariff updates) in plain language, which the system interprets and applies instantly.
- Agentic Adaptability: Unlike legacy systems, Zerø's AI agents learn and evolve in real-time, adapting to complex global trade shifts without requiring months of manual software redevelopment.
- Holistic Data Intelligence: The platform analyzes both structured data (declarations) and unstructured data (invoices, manifests) to detect anomalies with unprecedented accuracy, facilitating faster clearance for compliant trade.
This shift is particularly relevant in regions such as Latin America, where some customs administrations are still operating legacy customs management systems not designed for today's trade . AI-native architectures provide the flexibility to respond to regulatory changes in real time, while reducing dependency on rigid development cycles.
Marek Retelski, Global Head of Sales at Webb Fontaine, stated:
"With Webb Fontaine Zerø, we are returning digital sovereignty to governments, allowing them to adapt to new trade threats at the speed of thought and not the speed of a software development cycle. We are deeply honoured to participate in the TRACIT Summit and engage with Latin American customs authorities at this pivotal moment.
As a pioneer with 25 government references across four continents, we know what operational readiness looks like, and we know that this region is ready for this shift. By adopting our AI-powered solutions, from risk management and valuation to comprehensive customs systems, governments can move beyond legacy constraints to remain resilient and proactive in an increasingly volatile global market."
Beyond system configuration, AI-driven platforms are also transforming risk management. By analysing both structured data, such as declarations and unstructured data such as invoices and manifests, these systems can detect anomalies and inconsistencies with greater accuracy. This enables customs authorities to facilitate compliant trade through faster clearance channels, while strengthening controls on high-risk transactions.
Webb Fontaine emphasises that this evolution also supports greater digital sovereignty. By moving away from legacy systems where vendors control underlying code, governments can regain full ownership over their operational logic and data, ensuring long-term resilience and trust.
As global trade continues to evolve, Webb Fontaine maintains that the future of Customs lies in intelligent, adaptive systems capable of continuous learning.
About Webb Fontaine
Webb Fontaine is a leading technology company specialising in Artificial Intelligence-driven solutions for global trade. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, the company partners with governments and trade communities worldwide to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency. With one of the largest R&D footprints in the trade sector, Webb Fontaine continues to pioneer innovations that reduce fraud, increase customs revenue, and accelerate clearance times.
Press Contacts
Irmak Parlat
Email: irmak.parlat@webbfontaine.com
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