Vietnam and Cambodia agree customs cooperation agenda for 2027–2028
The four areas include annual liaison contacts, information sharing for trade risk assessments and coordination against illicit cross-border goods.
Customs authorities from Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to pursue cooperation in four areas during 2027–2028, following talks in Phnom Penh on October 27–29. The General Department of Viet Nam Customs outlined the agenda on October 29.
The commitments cover:
- Further implementation of a memorandum on customs cooperation and mutual assistance linking Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance with Cambodia’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
- Regular contact each year among designated liaison officers across all levels to maintain information exchanges.
- Closer coordination on trade management and facilitation, including information for assessing risks involving imports, exports, transit goods and vehicles carrying goods in transit.
- Continued joint efforts against smuggling, trade fraud, illegal drug trafficking and prohibited goods moving across the border.
Director General Nguyen Van Tho led Vietnam’s delegation to the conference. The countries take turns hosting the meeting every two years to support customs cooperation, trade facilitation and supply-chain security.
In their review of existing work, the authorities recognised administrative assistance, coordination against smuggling and support at international customs forums. They described cooperation on smuggling investigations as an important, consistent part of bilateral relations.
Existing exchanges support investigations into illegally transported goods, trade fraud and border infringements of intellectual property rights. Information sharing also covers drug-related crime, money laundering, terrorism and illegal trade in species covered by CITES.
