Vietnam, UK Sign Agreement on Administrative Assistance in Customs

During the official visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam to the United Kingdom, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang, authorized by the Government of Vietnam, signed an agreement between Vietnam and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs. The signing marks an important step forward in the international cooperation of Vietnam Customs, aimed at facilitating trade and promoting transparent and sustainable supply chains.

Under the witness of Party General Secretary To Lam, Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang presents cooperation documents with the UK, including the Agreement on Administrative Assistance in Customs

Strengthening the legal foundation for bilateral cooperation

According to the Department of Vietnam Customs, the official document exchange ceremony took place on October 30, 2025 (local time) in the United Kingdom, witnessed by senior leaders of both countries. The event was one of the highlights of General Secretary To Lam’s official visit, underscoring the importance both Vietnam and the United Kingdom place on strengthening their partnership in finance and customs.

Before this agreement, cooperation between Vietnam Customs and UK authorities was carried out through an arrangement with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and several memoranda of understanding with the UK Border Force. However, these previous commitments were mainly technical and non-binding, limiting cooperation to information exchange, professional training, and equipment support.

The newly signed intergovernmental agreement elevates bilateral cooperation to a higher level, providing a clear and comprehensive legal framework with stronger binding force. The scope of cooperation now includes key areas such as customs control, anti-smuggling investigations, trade fraud prevention, and professional information sharing. This milestone enhances coordination capacity and ensures a more transparent, secure, and efficient flow of trade between the two countries.

Practical cooperation to facilitate trade and authorized economic operators

A key feature of the agreement is the commitment to cooperate on the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program, which grants preferential treatment to companies with strong compliance records. Mutual recognition and support in implementing the AEO framework will shorten clearance times, reduce costs, and strengthen business confidence in a transparent and stable bilateral trade environment.

According to the Department of Vietnam Customs, the agreement also helps implement provisions under the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), promoting trade facilitation and protecting legitimate supply chains. Enhanced coordination in information exchange, mutual recognition of standards, and investigation support will bring direct benefits to importers and exporters through simpler, faster, and more predictable customs procedures.

Beyond the signing ceremony, both customs agencies have been advancing practical cooperation through bilateral activities. On the sidelines of the Investment Promotion Conference led by Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang in the United Kingdom on September 15-17, 2025, a Vietnam Customs delegation headed by Director Nguyen Van Tho met with Megan Shaw, the authorized representative of HMRC.

At the meeting, both sides agreed to accelerate internal procedures to finalize the agreement, as reflected in the “Statement of Intent on Cooperation between the Department of Vietnam Customs and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.” This marked an important step affirming the shared commitment to deepen customs cooperation and advance state management modernization amid increasingly deep international economic integration.

Toward sustainable cooperation and global trade facilitation

The signing of the Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs is not only a diplomatic milestone but also a practical step forward in expanding the international partnerships of Vietnam Customs. In today’s era of globalization, as cross-border trade continues to grow, cooperation among customs authorities plays an important role in ensuring legitimate trade, preventing fraud, and protecting the legitimate interests of businesses.

Experts note that the agreement will lay the groundwork for deeper data sharing, risk management collaboration, and coordinated border control between the two sides, moving toward modern, transparent, and business-friendly customs standards. This development also marks an important step in affirming Vietnam Customs’ active and constructive role within the global customs network, consistent with its strategic reform and modernization goals through 2030.

By signing this agreement with the United Kingdom, a major trading partner in Europe, Vietnam Customs not only strengthens the legal foundation for bilateral cooperation but also reaffirms its proactive, professional, and business-focused approach to global economic integration.

By Hien Phuc, Vietnam Business Forum