Project Description

The study was first proposed by the Republic of Korea (ROK) as a part of the East Asia Vision Group II (EAVG II) after ASEAN-ROK Summit in 2013 to contribute for trade facilitation in the region. During the course, the scope of the study changed from single window to exchange of certificate of origin (CO). This was necessary as CO exchange can provide immediate benefits to the traders and promote Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other trade related policies.

All the ASEAN states have already joined the ASEAN Single Window (ASW) to live exchange COs electronically based on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and its standardized form D. Moreover, the ASEAN-ROK FTA has been effective since June 2007 and bilateral exchange between Indonesia and the ROK for e-CO was established since February 2020. This suggests a strong confidence to exchange the e-CO between other ASEAN states and the ROK.

The objective of this study is to conduct a feasibility study on establishment of an electronic platform to exchange CO data for the ASEAN countries with the ROK as well as other countries. For this architecture of the platform that will be proposed in the study will be easy for other countries to join in the future including such countries as China and Japan. The study will analyze existing platforms including various customs systems in the region as well as the ASW. Based on the findings of the existing platforms, a new CO exchange model will be proposed along with necessary regulatory preparations for the model to be implemented. The project does not involve any new development or modification of actual system development, but it will evaluate the current status of the ASEAN and ROK on CO exchange and develops a theoretical model and a plan for its realization.

Introduction of Proponents/Implementing Agencies

Overview

Customs UNI-PASS International Agency (CUPIA) is a non-profit organization that was established by the Korea Customs Service in August 2006. It is specialized in customs modernization and it has worked with more than fifty countries through various projects and cooperation programs.

Organization

There are 157 staffs in total as of September 2023. The organization is headed by a Chairman and there are 6 Board Directors and an Auditor. There is a President who governs 3 divisions and 3 center each of them are headed by a Director level staff. Under the divisions and centers there are 14 offices and 23 teams.

Priority areas

CUPIA has 3 main priority or business areas, 1) consulting, 2) system development and 3) system operation and maintenance on customs automation and trade facilitation.