Vietnam Customs effectively cooperates and integrates with ASEAN Customs

	ASEAN Customs discusses AEO programmes to foster ASEAN AEO MRA
	Vietnam Customs plays important role in ASEAN Customs community

The delegation of the Ministry of Finance led by Minister Ho Duc Phoc attends the ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) in April 2024 in Laos.

When ASEAN becomes a single market, a common production and distribution base in the region, through trade facilitation, goods is circulated freely and the goals of deep economic integration of ASEAN are realized. Therefore, ASEAN has built and continuously improved key legal framework, creating a foundation for strategic, long-term customs cooperation and integration in the region.

Key documents include the ASEAN Customs Code of Conduct, the ASEAN Customs Agreement, the Agreement to establish and implement the ASEAN Single Window, the Protocol Governing the implementation of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN), the Protocol on the ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS).

In addition, the customs cooperation mechanism in ASEAN is implemented under management levels and fixed working groups, of which the ASEAN Finance Ministers' Meeting is the highest level. In addition, there are sub-groups that perform assigned special tasks, such as the ASEAN Transit System, ASEAN Single Window, Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)…

In 2024, Vietnam Customs will assume the Chairmanship of the 33rd meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs (ADGCM) in 2024. The ADGCM meeting is an annual and rotating meeting of Customs administrations of ASEAN member states.

In addition, the meeting is a forum for leaders of Customs administrations of ASEAN member states to discuss and make decisions, directions and orientations of activities related to customs integration measures, focusing on measures on trade facilitation, customs control and customs capacity building.

Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc and Deputy Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Tho attended ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM) in April 2024 in Laos.

Since Vietnam became a member of ASEAN, Vietnam Customs has successfully hosted two ADGCM in 2004 and 2014, respectively.

As the host of the meeting, Vietnam will fulfill the obligations and responsibilities of ASEAN member Customs administration, and enhance the position and role of Vietnam Customs in accordance with the general policy of elevating Vietnam's multilateral foreign relations.

In 2024, Vietnam will make great efforts to promote connection among ASEAN member states to implement the ASEAN Customs Development Strategic Plans for 2021-2025, focusing on contents such as ASEAN Single Window Mechanism, ASEAN Customs Transit System, and mechanism for implementing the ASEAN AEO Mutual Recognition.

In addition, Vietnam Customs will encourage dialogue and consultation with ADGCM partners to achieve goals consistent with the economic development in the new period such as developing Green Customs, building an ecosystem of customs data, performing customs modernization, electronic data exchange, customs control for e-commerce, and simplifying customs procedures for low-value shipments...