The ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) aims to achieve the free flow of goods within the ASEAN region, removing barriers to trade, lowering costs of trade and deepening economic linkages between member states. The agreement means that tariffs have been removed on nearly all products for trade between Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
The ASEAN Trade Repository (ATR) provides a single point of access to all trade-related information of ASEAN Member States. The ATR is an ASEAN-level IT interface linked by hyperlinks to a series of interoperable National Trade Repositories (NTRs) that provide and maintain the national-level trade related information and the actual contents.
The trade-related information accessible through the ATR is organised on the basis of nine ‘topics’ in line with Article 13 of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA). All the actual information is available on NTRs of the ASEAN Member States and duly maintained by their respective governments.
The ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) aims to achieve the free flow of goods within the ASEAN region, removing barriers to trade, lowering costs of trade and deepening economic linkages between Member States. The agreement means that tariffs have been removed on nearly all products for trade between Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.
From the end of 2019, cross-border trade using the Electronic Certificate of Origin (ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) e-Form D) will be given preferential tariffs within the region.
Further documents will also be added in future including:
- ASEAN Customs Declaration Document (ACDD)
- Electronic Phytosanitary Certificate (e-Phyto)
- Electronic Animal Health Certificate (e-AH)
- Electronic Food Safety Certificate (e-FS) Certificate
There is significant research from major trade agencies across the world showing that businesses which export, have much higher growth, durability, and profitability than those that don’t. Figures from the UK for example showed that exporting companies are 59% more productive than non-exporting companies. Another survey from UKTI (UK Trade and Investment) showed that 78% of exporting companies claimed that operating internationally led them to new ideas and innovation, while 70% said that this helped improve their own products and services. A 2015 study by Industry Canada found that exporting companies, have on average over twice the annual revenue of non-exporting companies. These figures are also confirmed by global accounting company Deloitte which found that exporters earn three times the average three-year cumulative return of non-exporters.
Customs’ clearance involves preparation and submission of documentation for exporting or importing into the country, and may include payment of duty/tariffs, as well as taking delivery of goods from customs after clearance. Some of the documents involved in customs clearance typically include purchase orders from the buyer, sales invoices, packing lists, shipping bills, bills of lading/airway bills, Certificate of Origin depending on the country, product or buyer.
More detailed information on laws and procedures, rules, and regulations for trade within ASEAN can be found on the individual national trade repository websites
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 132 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 50 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 48 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 395 |
Total time to import (hours) | 180 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 445 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 155 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 90 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 117 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 340 |
Total time to export (hours) | 272 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 430 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The organisation responsible for customs disputes and penalties in Brunei Darussalam is the Ministry of Finance and Economy
https://www.mofe.gov.bn/Customs/Home.aspxInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions in Brunei can be found on
https://www.mofe.gov.bn/Customs/Temporary-Import.aspx
Procedures for Outward Processing can be found on
https://tradingacrossborders.mofe.gov.bn/TAB/export-step1.aspx
Procedures for Inward Processing can be found on
https://tradingacrossborders.mofe.gov.bn/TAB/import-step1.aspx
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 132 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 120 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 8 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 240 |
Total time to import (hours) | 140 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 360 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 132 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 100 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 48 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 375 |
Total time to export (hours) | 180 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 475 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The General Department for Customs and Excise in Cambodia provides information on customs disputes and penalties on
http://www.customs.gov.kh/customs-offences-and-penaltiesdispute-settlement/Information on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions in Cambodia can be found on
http://www.customs.gov.kh/businesstraders-3/temporary-admission-2/
Procedures for Outward Processing can be found on
http://www.customs.gov.kh/export/
Procedures for Inward Processing can be found on
http://www.customs.gov.kh/import/
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 106 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 160 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 80 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 384 |
Total time to import (hours) | 186 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 544 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 6 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 130 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 51 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 207 |
Total time to export (hours) | 57 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 337 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The Directorate General for Customs and Excise in Indonesia provides information on customs disputes and penalties on
https://www.beacukai.go.id/arsip/fas/pembebasan-bea-masuk.htmlInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions in Indonesia can be found on
https://www.asean.org/wp-content/uploads/images/archive/documents/AEC/customs/DG20-Annex18.pdf
Indonesia is a member of the ATA Carnet System, under http://www.wcoomd.org/ which facilitates Temporary Admissions into the country.
Procedures for Outward Processing can be found on
https://www.beacukai.go.id/arsip/pab/ekspor.html
Procedures for Inward Processing can be found on
https://www.beacukai.go.id/arsip/pab/impor.html
https://www.beacukai.go.id/arsip/pab/ekspor.html
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 60 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 115 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 11 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 224 |
Total time to import (hours) | 71 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 339 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 60 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 235 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 9 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 140 |
Total time to export (hours) | 69 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 375 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
Information on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 7 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 60 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 36 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 10 |
Total time to import (hours) | 43 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 70 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 35 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 235 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 28 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 213 |
Total time to export (hours) | 63 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 448 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The Royal Malaysian Customs Department provides information on dispute settle and penalties on
http://www.customs.gov.my/en/pg/Pages/pg_ag.aspxInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Malaysia is a member of the ATA Carnet System, under http://www.wcoomd.org/ which facilitates Temporary Admissions into the country. .
Procedures for Outward Processing can be found on
http://www.customs.gov.my/en/ip/Pages/ip_te.aspx
Procedures for Inward Processing can be found on
http://www.customs.gov.my/en/ip/Pages/ip_tif.aspx
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 48 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 210 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 230 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 457 |
Total time to import (hours) | 278 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 667 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 144 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 140 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 142 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 432 |
Total time to export (hours) | 286 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 572 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The Myanmar Customs Department provides information on dispute settle and penalties on
http://www.myanmarcustoms.gov.mmInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions, Inward and Outward Processing in Myanmar can be found on
https://www.myanmartradeportal.gov.mm/en/special-customs-procedures
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 96 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 68 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 120 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 690 |
Total time to import (hours) | 216 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 758 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 36 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 53 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 42 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 456 |
Total time to export (hours) | 78 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 509 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The Philippines Bureau of Customs provides information on dispute settle and penalties on
https://customs.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Dispute-Settlement-and-Appellate-Remedies.pdfInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions, Inward and Outward Processing in the Philippines can be found on
https://customs.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Conditionally-Free.pdf
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 4 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 43 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 50 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 233 |
Total time to import (hours) | 54 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 276 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 11 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 97 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 44 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 223 |
Total time to export (hours) | 55 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 320 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The Thai Customs Department provides information on dispute settle and penalties on
https://www.customs.go.th/data_files/a48902e107a80bbbfc83d38742957569.pdfInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Thailand is a member of the ATA Carnet System, under http://www.wcoomd.org/ which facilitates Temporary Admissions into the country.
Procedures for Inward and Outward Processing can be found on
https://www.customs.go.th/data_files/a48902e107a80bbbfc83d38742957569.pdf and on the website of the Thai National Trade Repository on
https://www.thailandntr.com/en/goods/procedures-and-documentary-requirement
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 3 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 40 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 33 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 220 |
Total time to import (hours) | 36 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 260 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 2 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 37 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 10 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 335 |
Total time to export (hours) | 12 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 372 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
Singapore Customs provides information on dispute settle and penalties on
https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/compliance/offences-and-penaltiesInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions in Singapore can be found on
https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/importing-goods/temporary-import-scheme.
Singapore is a member of the ATA Carnet System, under http://www.wcoomd.org/which facilitates Temporary Admissions into the country.
Procedures for Outward Processing can be found on
https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/exporting-goods/overview
Procedures for Inward Processing can be found on
https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/importing-goods/overview
National Trade Repository
Average time and cost for customs release
Time to import: Documentary compliance (hours) | 76 |
Cost to import: Documentary compliance (US$) | 183 |
Time to import: Border compliance (hours) | 56 |
Cost to import: Border compliance (US$) | 373 |
Total time to import (hours) | 132 |
Total costs to import (US$) | 556 |
Time to export: Documentary compliance (hours) | 50 |
Cost to export: Documentary compliance (US$) | 139 |
Time to export: Border compliance (hours) | 55 |
Cost to export: Border compliance (US$) | 290 |
Total time to export (hours) | 105 |
Total costs to export (US$) | 429 |
Documentary compliance includes obtaining, preparing and submitting documents during transport, clearance, inspections and port / border handling, including all documents required by law and general trade practice.
Border compliance includes customs clearance and inspections by customs or other agencies: Detailed information and a breakdown can be found on:
How to register as an economic operator
Information on customs disputes and penalties
The General Department of Vietnam Customs provides information on dispute settle and penalties on
https://www.customs.gov.sg/businesses/compliance/offences-and-penaltiesInformation on customs brokers
A list of approved customs brokers can be found on the website
Information on Temporary Admission, Outward Processing and Inward Processing
Information on Temporary Admissions in Vietnam can be found on
https://www.vietnamtradeportal.gov.vn/index.php?r=site/display&id=795#Technical%20Requirements%C2%A0
Procedures for Outward Processing can be found on
https://www.vietnamtradeportal.gov.vn/index.php?r=searchProcedure/view1&id=16
Procedures for Inward Processing can be found on
https://www.vietnamtradeportal.gov.vn/index.php?r=searchProcedure/view1&id=14