- The Philippines can now exchange the electronic ASEAN customs declaration document (ACDD) with 4 ASEAN countries using the ASEAN Single Window
- Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand started exchange of the live e-ACDD with the Philippines on January 21, 2022, while Malaysia and the Philippines began the same on January 25, 2022
- In February 2022, a stakeholder consultation will be conducted to finalize the draft customs memorandum order covering data protection, regulation of access and network security, and continuous improvement of the ACDD portal to meet future needs
The Philippines can now exchange the electronic ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) customs declaration document (ACDD) with Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand using the ASEAN Single Window (ASW).
Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand agreed to exchange the live electronic ACDD with the Philippines starting January 21, 2022, while Malaysia approved the live ACDD exchange with the Philippines beginning January 25, 2022, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said in a statement.
READ: PH joins ASEAN live electronic exchange of customs declaration document
The ACDD is a multipurpose document used to facilitate the exchange of export declaration information among ASEAN member states. BOC said the electronic ACDD supports the customs authority in the importing country to carry out its risk management activities.
The ASW, meanwhile, is the regional initiative to speed up cargo clearance and promote regional economic integration by enabling the electronic exchange of border documents among the 10 ASEAN member states.
Aside from the ACDD, the ASW allows the electronic exchange of trade documents such as the electronic Certificate of Origin Form D under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, and the electronic phytosanitary and animal health certificates that are planned to be exchanged soon.
In December 2020, Cambodia, Myanmar and Singapore started exchanging the ACDD through the ASW, followed by Malaysia and Thailand from March 31, 2021. The remaining ASEAN member states were expected to join the live operation within 2021.
In August 2021, BOC said it completed the bidding of its ACDD System, which when implemented would enable the Philippines to electronically exchange ACDD on the ASW and help the country digitize trade processes and maximize the potential of intra-ASEAN trade.
BOC said a stakeholder consultation will be conducted in February 2022 to finalize the draft customs memorandum order covering data protection, regulation of access and network security, and the continuous improvement of the ACDD portal to meet future needs.
Awareness campaigns on the use of the portal, such as virtual training and audio-visual presentations, will also be provided by BOC in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development ASEAN Policy Implementation Project.
BOC earlier said the ACDD portal, which connects to the ASW System to TradeNet, would be formally launched in January 2022.
TradeNet is the country’s national single window, which is a prerequisite to connect to the ASW.
Currently, electronic certificates of origin can be exchanged by Philippine exporters with other ASEAN member states. BOC and other government agencies are also working to onboard trade regulatory government agencies to TradeNet to allow online application for import and export permits.
