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Improving Customs Transit Systems

In the Islamic Countries

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and resources are shared and that costs are reduced to the minimum for the ASEAN Member

States and Secretariat.

The review report on ACTS Feasibility Study has reached two conclusions, under the assumption

that a number of software components will be provided at no cost to ASEAN by the European

Commission, represented by DG TAXUD. DG TAXUD has agreed to provide the necessary NCTS

specifications and software applications to be implemented in ACTS. It was recommended that

the ACTS system makes use of the ASW network for the transmission of electronic messages

between AMS. There are several different options. The preferred option is for the ACTS and ASW

applications to maintain separate development paths, but for ACTS to make use of the ASW

network for regional communications.

The development of the ACTS pilot system with assistance from DG TAXUD was a genuine

contribution to ASEAN’s efforts to develop the AEC, and to provide a significant opportunity for

EU-ASEAN cooperation on vital trade facilitation matters in the future.

2.2.1.3

CTR Legal framework

The implementation of the ASEAN ACTS is one of the main pillars for transit facilitation transit,

pursuant to the AFAFGIT Protocol 7

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. This Protocol is the legal basis for the implementation of

ACTS and defines the core elements such as uniform Customs transit declaration/document,

regulated guarantee system, and the management of the transit system. ASEAN Member States

have expressed their determination to increase the use of computerized customs clearance

processes based on international standards for electronic information exchange developed by

the WCO and other relevant international organizations.

ASEAN leaders have decided to create an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. For this

to be achieved, the highest priority must be given to the free flow of goods in the region,

supported by the establishment of a fully harmonized Customs environment. A key component

of the Customs environment is the development and implementation of an automated Customs

transit management system, the ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS), to facilitate regional

trade and act as a catalyst for the necessary reforms.

2.2.1.4

ASEAN Regional Agreement

Under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit (AFAFGIT)

signed on 16 December 1998 in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, the Governments of Brunei Darussalam, the

Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic,

Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of

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0 https://acts.asean.org/Publication/Legal-Framework/afafgit-protocol-7-and-technical-appendix-%E2%80%93-customs-

transit-system