Customs Engages in 35th ASEAN Customs Directors-General Meeting in Cambodia

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise attended the 35th ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting held from 2 to 4 June 2026 in Cambodia. The annual forum aims to strengthen regional customs cooperation in support of ASEAN economic integration, trade facilitation, and responses to global trade dynamics and digital transformation. Budi Prasetiyo, Head of the Customs Public Relations and Outreach Sub-directorate, stated that Indonesia’s participation demonstrates its active role in international forums to enhance cooperation and synergy among member states. The meeting was also attended by representatives from all ASEAN member countries, ASEAN dialogue partners including Australia, China, Japan, and Korea, the World Customs Organization, and private sector representatives such as the US-ASEAN Business Council and the EU-ASEAN Business Council. Strategic issues discussed included the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, the ASEAN Single Window, the ASEAN Customs Transit System, and the Authorized Economic Operator programme. The meeting highlighted the increasing emphasis on digitalisation of customs services, data interoperability, risk-based supervision, and closer collaboration between government and business sectors. On the sidelines of the meeting, Indonesia held side meetings with the US-ASEAN Business Council and the EU-ASEAN Business Council to strengthen dialogue with business actors and gather input on service quality improvement. Indonesia was also re-entrusted with the chairmanship of the Technical Sub-Working Group on Classification for the upcoming period, reflecting its active role in harmonising goods classification standards to support smoother international trade. In the enforcement field, Indonesia supported the implementation of Operation Pacific Shield III, a joint operation targeting the smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances via air routes, including passengers, express cargo, and cross-border postal items. Budi concluded that the outcomes of the meeting would strengthen customs supervision to prevent the entry of illegal and dangerous goods, while the strengthening of ASEAN’s digital customs system would support faster, more transparent, and efficient trade services for businesses.