Customs Strengthens Regional Ties at 35th ASEAN Directors-General Meeting

In a bid to strengthen regional customs cooperation and support ASEAN economic integration, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai) attended the 35th ASEAN Directors-General of Customs Meeting held from 2 to 4 June 2026 in Cambodia. The meeting serves as a forum for the Directors-General of Customs within ASEAN. “Bea Cukai’s participation in the meeting demonstrates its active role in international forums to enhance cooperation and synergy among member states,” said Budi Prasetiyo, Head of the Public Relations and Counselling Sub-Directorate at Bea Cukai. In addition to Indonesia, the meeting was attended by representatives from all ASEAN member states, ASEAN dialogue partners (Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea), the World Customs Organization (WCO), and private sector representatives such as the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EUABC), and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC). Strategic issues discussed included the progress of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint implementation, the ASEAN Single Window (ASW), the ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS), Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes, customs reform and modernisation, and strengthening cooperation with dialogue partners and the private sector. The outcomes indicated that the direction of ASEAN customs development increasingly prioritises service digitalisation, data interoperability, risk-based supervision, trade facilitation, and closer collaboration between government and the business sector. “The exchange of information between countries is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s customs supervision in preventing the entry of illegal and dangerous goods that could harm the global community, based on digital and data-driven approaches,” Budi stated. During the meeting, Indonesia was again entrusted as Chair of the Technical Sub-Working Group on Classification (TSWGC) for the 2026–2027 period. Indonesia also played an active role in drafting ASEAN goods classification standards to support a more harmonised and adaptive trading system. In the field of enforcement, Indonesia supported the implementation of Operation Pacific Shield III, which focuses on combating the smuggling of narcotics and psychotropic substances via air routes, including through passengers, express consignments, and cross-border post. On the sidelines of the meeting, Bea Cukai also held side meetings with the EUABC and USABC to strengthen dialogue with business actors, listen to service user feedback, and reaffirm its commitment to supporting trade facilitation and improving customs service quality. Budi revealed that the strengthening of the ASEAN digital customs system supports faster, more transparent, and efficient trade services for businesses. “Through this meeting, Bea Cukai continues to leverage ASEAN cooperation to strengthen more modern, effective, and responsive customs services and supervision that meet the needs of the business world,” he concluded.