The ASEAN Customs is an integral part in the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which envisions ASEAN as a single market and production base with equitable economic development and fully integrated into the global economy. The ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting (ASEAN DGs of Customs), established in 1995 under the purview of the ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting (AFMM), provides guidance and direction to its sectoral bodies. Following the decision of ASEAN Leaders to deepen regional integration at the 9th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia on 7 October 2003, the ASEAN DGs of Customs restructured its sectoral bodies to strengthen institutional arrangements for Customs simplification and modernisation.

 

At the 15th ASEAN DGs of Customs Meeting on 6 June 2006 held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the Coordinating Committee on Customs (CCC) was established to coordinate the implementation of regional customs integration initiatives. The CCC reports directly to the ASEAN DGs of Customs. At the same time, three (3) working groups were established under the CCC to support the implementation of specific initiatives:

 

• Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation Working Group (CPTFWG)
• Customs Enforcement and Compliance Working Group (CECWG)
• Customs Capacity Building Working Group (CCBWG)

To support the effective implementation of specific initiatives, the ASEAN DGs of Customs also established the Sub-Working Group on ASEAN Customs Transit System (SWG-ACTS) in 2010, the Technical Sub-Working Group on Classification (TSWGC) in 2019, and the Sub-Working Group on ASEAN Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (SWG-AAMRA) in 2019. These Sub-Working Groups report to the CPTFWG.

 

All customs sectoral bodies are responsible for the implementation of the Strategic Plans of Customs Development (SPCDs), which serve as ASEAN Customs’ five-year plans for customs integration efforts. The first SPCDs, covering the period of 2005-2010, laid the foundation for ASEAN Customs’ coordinated efforts in advancing priority areas in customs and trade facilitation, enforcement and compliance, and capacity building. Since then, four SPCDs have been developed in five-year cycles, taking into account the emerging needs, customs trends, and developments. The most recent SPCDs for the 2026-2030 period, comprising 13 (thirteen) areas of initiatives, were endorsed on 5 June 2025 by the 34th ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting held in Brunei Darussalam.

 

The latest SPCDs guide ASEAN Customs in further simplifying and modernising customs procedures; addressing emerging issues, such as digitalisation, customs automation, circular economy, and carbon neutrality; strengthening cooperation with Dialogue Partners and relevant stakeholders to promote trade facilitation and border security; combating illicit trade and strengthening enforcement measures; and enhancing the capacity of ASEAN Customs officers. These efforts collectively support deeper regional integration and enhanced intra-ASEAN trade. As the sectoral plan for ASEAN Customs, the SPCDs 2026 – 2030 also contributes to the goal of the AEC Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which aims to realise an integrated single market while advancing innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable development.

 

To strengthen customs cooperation, ASEAN Customs regularly conducts consultations with the customs administrations of Dialogue Partners, namely Australia Border Force, General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Japan Customs, and the Korea Customs Service. The cooperation ranges from technical assistance on various topics to joint programmes in some areas, such as joint enforcement operations with Korea to combat illicit drugs and its participation to ASEAN’s Joint Customs Control (JCC) operation, the exchange of information for intelligence purpose between ASEAN and Japan, and support from Australia for the Joint Customs Middle Management Programme (JCMMP), a regional training initiative for ASEAN’s future customs leaders. ASEAN Customs remains committed to deepening the collaboration with Dialogue Partners to support ASEAN Member States in addressing emerging issues in customs and trade.

 

Recognising the importance of the partnership with the private sector, ASEAN Customs also has regular consultations with the Joint Business Councils (JBC) during relevant meetings. These dialogues aim to hear their feedback and discuss their recommendations, and consider adopting appropriate proposals to further facilitate trade while striking a balance on security to create a sound business environment in the region.