Vietnam Customs Advances AEO Mutual Recognition with ASEAN

Within the framework of the Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Authorized Economic Operators (AEO MRA), Vietnam Customs is intensifying regional cooperation by organizing joint assessment missions with ASEAN member states.

Vietnam Customs hosts regional AEO assessment with ASEAN authorities

This initiative demonstrates Vietnam’s strong commitment to deeper customs integration while playing a vital role in facilitating trade, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening supply chain security across the region.

Mutual recognition of AEO programs significantly reduces inspection procedures, shortens clearance times, lowers business costs, and improves overall supply chain efficiency.

On October 7-8, 2025, in Hanoi, the Department of Vietnam Customs hosted a regional joint assessment mission on AEOs with the participation of representatives from ASEAN customs authorities. This was the first time Vietnam chaired such an assessment at the regional level, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the ASEAN AEO MRA.

According to the Department of Customs, the assessment aimed to evaluate the compatibility of Vietnam’s AEO program with the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards. It also provided ASEAN countries with a technical foundation for advancing mutual recognition among regional customs administrations.

During the program, delegates received detailed presentations on Vietnam’s AEO certification process, evaluation standards, and risk management framework. The mission also carried out on-site assessments at Toto Vietnam Co., Ltd. (Hanoi) and TNG Investment and Trading JSC (Thai Nguyen), two enterprises currently enjoying AEO status. These visits gave ASEAN participants a comprehensive understanding of how Vietnam implements the AEO model in practice, from cargo control and supply chain security to managing import-export risks.

Vietnam’s AEO program, launched in 2011, has so far recognized 82 enterprises, which account for about 30% of the country’s total import-export turnover, with a combined annual trade value exceeding US$200 billion. With the preferential mechanism, average clearance times have been reduced from 36 hours to 12 hours for exports and from 62 hours to 24 hours for imports, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness and long-term sustainability.

Promoting mutual recognition with ASEAN partners will allow Vietnam’s AEO enterprises to enjoy similar benefits when trading with countries in the region. Conversely, AEOs from other ASEAN members will receive equivalent facilitation when doing business with Vietnam. This will not only boost intra-ASEAN trade flows but also foster a transparent and reliable environment for investment and logistics cooperation within the bloc.

Vietnam Customs emphasized that implementing mutual recognition of AEOs carries both technical and political significance, representing a strong commitment to regional collaboration. This initiative also lays the groundwork for Vietnam to expand AEO mutual recognition negotiations and agreements with key trading partners such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, and the European Union (EU). Such developments will create greater opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to join global supply chains, leveraging advantages in speed, cost, and credibility.

By hosting the regional AEO joint assessment mission, Vietnam Customs reaffirmed its pioneering role in advancing regional cooperation and its determination to build a transparent, modern, and secure trade environment.

By Hien Phuc, Vietnam Business Forum