The Philippines, through the Bureau of Customs (BOC), has officially commenced the full implementation of the ASEAN Authorized Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AAMRA) on February 28, 2025. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance trade facilitation, bolster regional cooperation, and align with international standards in the global supply chain.

The AAMRA, which came into effect on August 1, 2024, initially involved three ASEAN Member States (AMS) – Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore. It was later extended to Thailand on August 19, 2024, and Indonesia on October 1, 2024.

Under this arrangement, Philippine companies certified under Level 2 of the AEO Program will now benefit from expedited clearance procedures for their exports to these countries.

Similarly, businesses accredited under the AEO Programs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand will enjoy the same benefits for their goods exported to the Philippines. Economic Operators participating in the program are provided with unique AEO codes, which must be declared in the export or import declaration submitted to the respective countries’ Customs administration. Notably, the business partners in these countries do not need to be AEO accredited to avail of these benefits.

While the AAMRA is already fully operational in the aforementioned countries, the remaining four ASEAN member states – Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam – are expected to implement the arrangement at a later date.

As a proponent of regional and global cooperation himself, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is dedicated to supporting this endeavor, striving to establish a customs framework that is in line with the world’s leading standards.

The Philippines’ commitment to facilitating smooth trade relations is a key aspect of the BOC’s 2025 Five-Point Priority Program, which aims to streamline customs procedures and enhance secure trade through the implementation of the AEO Program. To maximize the benefits of the AMMRA, the BOC regularly holds consultations and awareness programs aimed at increasing company participation in the AEO Program.

The full implementation of the AAMRA underscores the Philippines’ dedication to strengthening regional trade relationships and improving the ease of doing business in the country.

With this, Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio vowed that, “The BOC will continue to focus on modernizing and improving the efficiency of the country’s customs operations, ensuring the Philippines remains competitive in the global marketplace.”