The MoU was signed in Brussels by Vietnam Customs Director Nguyen Van Tho and Commissioner for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Rodney Scott on the sidelines of the 147th and 148th sessions of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council.
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The signing of MoU between Vietnam Customs and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on June 26 in Brussels (Photo: Vietnam Customs) |
Under the agreement, the two sides plan to share electronic cargo manifest data in real time, or as quickly as possible, to support risk management and detect violations, including trade fraud, counterfeit goods, smuggling, origin fraud and tax evasion.
The initiative marks a new step in cooperation between the two countries to facilitate trade amid the global trend towards data-driven customs management and digitization. This is also in line with recommendations from the WCO to improve trade facilitation while safeguarding international supply chains.
The data-sharing mechanism would enhance the ability of both sides to verify shipment information, cross-check import-export records and identify attempts to circumvent trade defense measures such as illegal transshipment or origin frauds.
The mechanism is also expected to streamline customs clearance procedures for compliant businesses and reduce inspection-related delays at border checkpoints while improving the competitiveness of exports from both countries.
The Vietnam Customs said that the agreement demonstrated Vietnam’s commitment to addressing concerns shared by both sides, particularly those related to origin fraud and tax avoidance, while enhancing transparency and the effectiveness of customs administration.
The MoU opens a new phase of practical cooperation between the two sides at a time when trade between Vietnam and the U.S. continues to expand rapidly following the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.
The U.S. is currently Vietnam’s largest export market while Vietnam is the seventh-largest trading partner of the U.S. globally.
Official statistics showed that two-way trade reached 172.3 billion USD in 2025, with Vietnam's exports rising 28.2% year-on-year to 153.1 billion USD and imports from the U.S. increasing 27.7% to 19.2 billion USD.
From January 1 to June 18, the bilateral trade totaled 89.58 billion USD, up 23.1% over the same period last year. Exports rose 22.4% to 79.09 billion USD, while imports climbed 28.3% to 10.49 billion USD.
Source: VNA