USABC Urges Greater Customs Modernization and Enforcement Cooperation at the 35th ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting
(Phnom Penh, Cambodia) From June 2- 3, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a delegation of eight U.S. companies to the 35th ASEAN Directors-General (DGs) of Customs Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where it presented recommendations to advance customs modernization, digital trade, and enforcement cooperation across ASEAN. The delegation was co-led by Atty. Herminio “Third” Bagro III, Chief Representative for the Philippines, and Mr. Ilham Bustami, Head of Government Affairs, FedEx and Chair of the USABC’s Customs, Trade Facilitation, and Supply Chain (CTSC) Committee.
During the plenary session with ASEAN Customs Directors-General, USABC presented its recommendation paper titled: “Advancing ASEAN Customs Modernization, Enforcement Cooperation, and Public-Private Cooperation for a Resilient and Connected Region.” The paper outlines recommendations from the U.S. private sector to support ASEAN customs integration and the implementation of the Strategic Plan of Customs Development (SPCD) 2026–2030. Key recommendations focused on accelerating digital transformation and paperless trade, simplifying and harmonizing customs procedures, strengthening risk-based enforcement and illicit trade prevention, and enhancing public-private collaboration to support resilient regional supply chains.
“At a time when businesses are rethinking supply chains and investment decisions, efficient and predictable borders matter more than ever,” said Atty. Third Bagro. “Customs modernization is a strategic driver of ASEAN’s competitiveness, resilience, and increasing centrality in the global economy. USABC members remain committed to partnering with ASEAN Customs to advance these goals.”
The delegation also held bilateral engagements with senior customs officials from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the World Customs Organization (WCO). Discussions focused on customs clearance and documentation, implementation of the ASEAN Single Window (ASW), paperless trade, rules of origin and valuation, enforcement against illicit trade and counterfeit goods, facilitation of express and e-commerce shipments, and emerging regional integration initiatives such as the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ).
“Efficient customs procedures and modern logistics systems are essential to ensuring the smooth movement of goods across ASEAN’s increasingly integrated supply chains,” said Mr. Ilham Bustami. “FedEx looks forward to continued collaboration with ASEAN Customs authorities to advance digital customs solutions, risk-based approaches, and greater predictability in cross-border trade processes that support businesses of all sizes across the region.”
This year’s Customs Business Mission brought together leading companies from the logistics, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, ICT, and trade advisory sectors including Astrophysics, FedEx, Lubrizol, Philip Morris International, The Asia Group, and UPS.