Background
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) administers customs control, tariff collection, and anti-smuggling enforcement through provincial branches and designated international gates. The GDCE issues measures and operational directives that assign responsibilities to customs officers, border authorities and traders to ensure lawful import-export procedures.
On 30 May 2026, the GDCE Deputy Director-General conducted an on-site review of implementation progress for the measures titled “Measures to Prevent and Combat Smuggling and Strengthen Governance of the General Department of Customs and Excise” at Takeo provincial customs branches. The review included inspections of several land border points in Koh Andet and Kirivong districts and a coordination meeting with provincial administration, immigration police, port authorities and cross-border traders at the Phnom Den international border gate.
Scope of Application
The measures apply to provincial GDCE branches, border office units at land crossings, customs desks at international gates, and private import-export businesses operating through those points. Operational responsibilities covered include public service delivery by customs officers, on-site anti-smuggling deployments at secondary crossings, and expanded outreach to traders on duty and tax compliance.
Key Provisions or Decisions
The Deputy Director-General emphasized four operational directives communicated to Takeo customs offices and related stakeholders: (1) customs officers must deliver public services that are accountable, transparent and compliant with official fee schedules; (2) provincial branches should deploy standing anti-smuggling personnel at specified secondary crossings such as Prey Yuthka, Komnab and Prey Tamao to deter illicit trade; (3) importers and traders are required to declare and pay applicable duties and taxes accurately according to commodity types and quantities; and (4) customs branches and border offices must intensify dissemination of the anti-smuggling and governance measures to local stakeholders.
Implications for Investors, Businesses, or Compliance
Businesses that import or export through Takeo land crossings should expect increased operational scrutiny and outreach by customs authorities focused on correct declaration and duty payment. Traders and logistics operators will encounter reinforced procedural requirements at secondary gates and are encouraged to align paperwork and payments with declared commodity types and volumes to avoid compliance interventions.
Official Source
Original report published by the General Department of Customs and Excise on 30 May 2026: https://www.facebook.com/cambodiacustoms/posts/pfbid02PGXgV7FGitASEFqDkkr8y7Jf18Ca2Do7N8dVGBdDpLcZpDcHAZUjfJ3NxmZjsa26l
