Indonesia Attends ASEAN Customs Chiefs Meeting in Cambodia

Indonesia's Directorate General of Customs and Excise actively participated in the 35th ASEAN Directors General of Customs Meeting held in Cambodia from June 2-4, 2026. This annual forum is crucial for enhancing regional customs cooperation, supporting ASEAN's economic integration, and facilitating trade while addressing global trade dynamics and digital transformation.

"Customs' participation demonstrates its active role in international forums to improve cooperation and synergy among member states," stated Budi Prasetiyo, Head of Sub-directorate of Public Relations and Counseling at Customs. The meeting included representatives from all ASEAN member states, dialogue partners like Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea, the World Customs Organization (WCO), and private sector bodies such as the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and EU-ASEAN Business Council (EUABC).

Strategic issues discussed encompassed the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint, ASEAN Single Window (ASW), ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS), Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs, customs modernization, and strengthening collaborations with dialogue partners and the private sector. The outcomes emphasize a greater focus on digital services, data interoperability, risk-based enforcement, trade facilitation, and closer government-business partnerships.

Indonesia's active role extended to supporting Operation Pacific Shield III, targeting the smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances. Furthermore, Indonesia will chair the Technical Sub-Working Group on Classification (TSWGC) for 2026-2027, contributing to the development of ASEAN's common goods classification standards. Side meetings with the EUABC and USABC aimed to bolster dialogue with businesses, gather user feedback, and reaffirm Customs' commitment to trade facilitation and service quality improvements.