Introduction of ASEAN SW

Concept of the ASEAN Single Window

The ASEAN Single Window (ASW) for customs clearance will connect and integrate the National Single Windows of ASEAN Member States to expedite the electronic exchange of customs data that traders can use to obtain customs clearances, permits, and other documentation for trade with ASEAN countries. ASW provides the secure IT architecture and legal framework that will allow trade, transport, and commercial data to be exchanged electronically among government agencies or the trading community. This will expedite the cargo clearance process, reduce cost and time of doing business, and enhance trade efficiency and competitiveness.

 *Other Government Agencies

Scope and status of the ASW

The implementation of the full-fledged ASEAN Single Window (ASW) Pilot Project Component 2 has begun in stages since April 2015.  Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have already tested the ATIGA Form D using the ASW enabling architecture. The Protocol on the Legal Framework to Implement the ASW (PLF) was signed in September 2015 by the Finance Ministers.  Member States are currently in the process of undertaking their respective domestic ratification.

The current implementation of the ASW Pilot Project Component 2, based on the technical architecture below, is to cover the full-cycle exchange between NSWs of AMS using the proposed enabling infrastructure. The implementation approach, lasting 67 weeks, would be based on three phases where phase 1, (completed 16 October 2015) the development and testing with test data of the software needed to exchange ATIGA Form D, including two month end-to-end testing. Phase 2, commencing 26 October – 18 December 2015, will include parallel testing using live data in both paper and electronic form, prior to cutover to live operation by 30 December 2015. Phase 3 covers live operation for 12 months. It is contemplated that after the initial cutover to live operation, additional ASEAN Member States may join the system after the live operation, which includes a final report on the ASW live operation will be submitted by the contractor.

The end-to-end testing in Phase I and the parallel testing in Phase II will cover the exchange of the electronic ATIGA Form D and related utilization messages. In addition to exchanging data for these reports, the end-to-end testing will include the exchange of acknowledgement of receipt at each step in the messaging system.

The ASW Component 3 technical and financial evaluation will be conducted prior to the cutover to live operation and another post-implementation review agreed by Member States would be conducted after a reasonable period of live operation of the messaging system.

Additional ASEAN Member states that become exchange-ready can be added once the initial exchange-ready AMS have transitioned to live operation. To date, Brunei and Philippines have expressed its intent to join the ASW live operation by 2nd quarter of 2016.

Beyond 2015

In 2016, US-ACTI project will continue to support the implementation and expansion of the ASW enabling infrastructure to allow the participation of other Member States in the live data exchange of ATIGA Form D.  In parallel with this, US-ACTI will assist ASEAN Member States to establish the ASW Project Management Office (PMO) in managing and implementing ASW-related projects within ASEAN over the long-term, which covers the financial sustainability of the system and for the training of ASEC staffs indicated in the PMO study that will manage the ASW regional operations services. Moreover, capacity building activities will be provided in establishing a mutual recognition agreement that is technology-neutral for effective domestic and cross-border electronic authentication of cross-border messages. As live implementation of the ASW will require significant participation by stakeholders outside of government, US-ACTI will continue a program of public outreach and to raise awareness on the benefits and status of the ASW.

In an effort to help promote the development of National Single Windows (NSWs) in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar (CLM) countries, US-ACTI will continue providing capacity building workshops, if requested. This will frame the activities of CLM countries in designing and implementing their NSWs.

Source: http://asw.asean.org/about-asw