This activity aims to improve risk management efficiency, increase the transparency of the supply chain and promote balanced and sustainable trade between the two economies.
New step forward in bilateral customs cooperation
On the morning of June 25, 2026 (local time), on the sidelines of the 147th/148th Meeting of the World Customs Organization (WCO) held in Brussels (Belgium), Director of the Customs Department Nguyen Van Tho and US Customs Commissioner Rodney Scott signed a Memorandum of Understanding on electronic exchange of declaration information and transportation of goods between the two customs authorities.
According to the content of the Memorandum of Understanding, the two sides are expected to share electronic data on goods declarations in real time or as quickly as possible. This activity aims to effectively serve the work of identifying key points, managing risks, and preventing customs violations such as: trade fraud, counterfeit goods, prohibited goods, origin fraud, tax evasion and illegal transfer.
This is considered a new development in the cooperation relationship between Vietnam Customs and US Customs, developed on the basis of the Mutual Assistance Agreement in the Customs Sector (CMAA) signed by the Governments of the two countries in 2019 and officially effective from May 2020. In the past time, the customs authorities of the two countries have maintained the effectiveness of information exchange, suspicion verification, professional support and strengthened management capacity.
Bilateral trade grows strongly
The establishment of an electronic data sharing mechanism takes place in the context of economic and trade relations between Vietnam and the United States continuously recording impressive growth milestones.
According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, in 2025, the total import and export turnover between the two countries reached 172.3 billion USD. Of which, Vietnam's exports reached more than 153.1 billion USD (up 28.2%); imports reached more than 19.2 billion USD (up 27.7% compared to the previous year).
Period from January 1 to June 18, 2026: Bilateral trade turnover continued to reach 89.58 billion USD, an increase of 23.1% compared to the same period last year. Of which, export turnover reached 79.09 billion USD (up 22.4%) and import turnover reached 10.49 billion USD (up 28.3%).
Optimizing nghiệp vụ, accompanying businesses
In terms of nghiệp vụ, direct data connection will help customs authorities of the two countries improve their ability to verify shipment information, closely compare import and export data, thereby detecting early signs of fraud and evasion of trade remedies.
In parallel with the goal of control, this mechanism brings great benefits to the legal business community. Electronic data exchange helps significantly shorten customs clearance time for businesses with good compliance, reducing barriers to direct goods inspection at border gates, thereby improving the competitiveness of goods of both countries.
The implementation of the above data connection initiative has clearly demonstrated Vietnam's willingness to cooperate with the United States in handling common trade concerns. This broad and substantial cooperation phase not only increases transparency in customs management, but also strongly strengthens Vietnam's prestige in the global supply chain.
