The Customs Director Generals (DG’s) of the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) convened in Pattaya, Thailand from June 6 to 8 for the 32nd Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs, which was chaired by the Royal Thai Customs Department. During the meeting, the ASEAN DGs of Customs (i) commended the implementation of the Strategic Plans of Customs Development (SPDCs) 2021 – 2025, the ASEAN Single Window, and the National AEO programs, (ii) welcomed the implementation of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN) 2022, and (iii) endorsed multiple feasibility studies, guidelines, and frameworks on customs cooperation and integrity among others. The DG’s also held consultations with other stakeholders such as partner countries (e.g., Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and private sector representatives, including the US-ASEAN Business Council, to exchange best practices on customs related issues and to facilitate closer private sector engagements in improving trade flows and enhancing supply chain resilience. The Joint Media Statement of the 32nd Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs can be found here.
The Council’s consultation session with the ASEAN Directors-General took place virtually on June 7. The Council presented its key recommendations for reforming ASEAN Customs Regimes through simplified customs procedures, digital transformation, and capacity-building support. Subsequently, the ASEAN Secretariat provided updates on ASEAN’s progress in customs integration.
The Government of Vietnam’s Department of Customs will assume the Chairmanship for the 33rd Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs in June 2024. In line with this, the agency tightened its cooperation among key stakeholders in areas related to ensuring legal trade flow to ensure the security and safety of regional supply chains.
