Operational objectives

Illicit trade takes many forms, but the tactics used by criminal networks are often the same: exploiting weak enforcement, regulatory gaps, corruption, and supply chain vulnerabilities. These tactics cut across sectors, borders, and products but the response from legitimate businesses and governments is often fragmented.

TRACIT exists to create a coordinated, strategic response that protects markets, consumers, and public institutions. Our operational goals are to:

• Mobilize private-sector expertise to share mitigation tactics, improve awareness, contribute to policy development, and close the governance gaps that allow illicit trade to flourish
• Work with governments and international organizations to align policy, close legal loopholes, and improve enforcement.
• Strengthen the resilience of global supply chains by identifying vulnerabilities and promoting industry-led safeguards across sectors.

​TRACIT delivers on these objectives through high-level meetings and summits, targeted research, information-sharing platforms, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships with IGOs, NGOs, industry, and trade associations.

TRACIT's two-track approach

Horizontally: Coordinating Strategic Work Programs
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• TRACIT’s Work Programs address the cross-cutting vulnerabilities that criminal networks exploit across multiple sectors. They promote a more integrated, multi-agency approach that helps governments, international organizations, and businesses move beyond isolated, sector-specific responses to illicit trade. The programs focus on strengthening supply chain resilience, enhancing coordination and awareness, and sharing best practices across industries to drive a more effective, collective response.

Vertically: Responding to Sector-Specific Risks
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• ​TRACIT’s Sector Work focuses on the specific enablers and challenges faced by industries most exposed to illicit trade. From counterfeit goods to human trafficking, each sector faces unique risks that require targeted solutions. TRACIT works closely with businesses and partners across 12 key sectors to understand their vulnerabilities, strengthen defenses, and support more effective enforcement and policy responses.

Special initiatives

TRACIT leads high-impact initiatives that drive political momentum, strengthen global understanding, and unite stakeholders in the fight against illicit trade.

• Illicit Trade Index
  A global benchmark that ranks countries on how effectively they protect against illicit trade. By spotlighting weaknesses and best practices, the Index empowers governments to strengthen policy and enforcement efforts.
• Illicit Trade Summits (Americas)
  A high-level platform convening business and government leaders across the Americas region to shape coordinated responses, raise awareness, and accelerate action against illicit trade.

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Explore TRACIT's work

SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Illicit Trade Index

Illicit Trade Summits

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SECTORS

Agri-food

Alcohol

Counterfeiting and piracy

Cultural property

Fisheries

Forced labor

Pesticides

Petroleum

Pharmaceuticals

Precious metals and gemstones

Tobacco

Wildlife

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WORK PROGRAMS

Country / Regional focus

Societal costs

Fraudulent advertising

Supply chain vulnerabilities

Small parcels

Vertical Divider

Featured report

The TRACIT report Mapping the Impact of Illicit Trade on the Sustainable Development Goals maps the UN SDGs against 12 sectors that participate significantly in international trade and are particularly vulnerable to illicit trade. The study helps governments and business better understand how their efforts to achieve sustainable development must account for the negative forces of illicit trade. More...   

Featured project

​TRACIT has joined forces with The Economist Group to produce the Global Illicit Trade Environment Index. The Index evaluates 84 countries on their structural capability to guard against illicit trade, highlighting specific strengths and weaknesses. More...

Criminal networks are not only expanding their operations, but they are also diversifying their activities, resulting in a convergence of transnational threats that has evolved to become more complex, volatile, and destabilizing.
President Barack Obama, U.S. Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime

Illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products often involves organized criminal groups with large transnational networks, resources and access to information and institutions throughout the supply and demand chains. For these groups, illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products is one business opportunity amongst other forms of illicit trade.
G20 High Level Principles on Combatting Corruption Related to Illegal Trade in Wildlife and Wildlife Products