Informed Compliance refers to the practice where trade compliance with all laws, regulations, and procedures is considered a shared responsibility between authorities and the business community. While the term “Informed Compliance” was formally introduced in the United States through the Customs Modernization and Informed Compliance Act (the Mod Act) in 1993, this concept has been adopted among customs and trade administrations around the world (Thomson Reuters, 2020) . Informed Compliance Publications serve as tools for authorities to communicate trade and customs requirements clearly and for the business community to conduct activities in adherence to the prevailing laws and regulations.

Informed Compliance Publications were proposed following the 2nd Workshop on Informed Compliance held by the European Union – ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) in 2023. These publications are developed and issued by the ASEAN Member States (AMS) customs and trade authorities.

Informed Compliance Publications aim to enhance trade efficiency by providing non-binding guidelines that reflect trade and customs authorities' interpretations of current laws and regulations. These publications aim to assist traders in the ASEAN region by providing clear and accessible information, thereby encouraging voluntary compliance with regulatory standards.

Informed Compliance Publications include practical guidance on customs procedures, rules of origin, trade regulations, and compliance strategies tailored to support trade within ASEAN region. Readers are advised that Informed Compliance Publications are non-binding guidelines provided by ASEAN’s trade and customs authorities as a resource for businesses to better understand and comply with applicable trade and customs regulations in the ASEAN region. Therefore, these publications do not replace laws and regulations, nor do they constitute a binding ruling.

Informed Compliance Publications offer valuable, non-binding guidelines from ASEAN’s trade and customs authorities to streamline trade processes and enhance customs efficiency for the business community. These publications provide practical and specific advice on customs and trade measures, including authoritative interpretations and positions on current laws and regulations, aiming to assist traders in improving compliance efforts and ensuring effective adherence to regional trade standards.

For access to Informed Compliance Publications from each ASEAN Member State, please refer to the following websites and portal (please refer to Annex).