11 Companies Named for Green Channel: What Does This 2021 Customs Decision Mean for Ordinary Cargo Owners?

11家公司被“点名”走绿色通道：这份2021年海关决定，对普通货主意味着什么？

11 ບໍລິສັດຖືກ "ຊີ້ຊື່" ໃຫ້ຜ່ານທາງດ່ວນສີຂຽວ: ຂໍ້ຕົກລົງກົມພາສີປີ 2021 ນີ້ ໝາຍຄວາມວ່າແນວໃດສຳລັບເຈົ້າຂອງສິນຄ້າທົ່ວໄປ?

Published: 2026-09-13 · LaoPaniti legal guides

Old Wang, who has been doing China-Laos trade, has been feeling a bit frustrated lately: for the same batch of goods, the neighboring company's container was released in two days, while his was stuck at the border for a week. He asked around and found out that the other company is on the Customs "whitelist," where preferential tariffs under Form D are verified directly at the border checkpoint, without having to go to the Customs Department to submit documents.

Old Wang asks: How exactly did this "privilege" come about? Do ordinary people still have a chance? The answer is hidden in a 2021 Customs Decision.

What does this Decision say?

On July 30, 2021, the Lao Customs Department issued Decision No. 03682/DOC, continuing the pilot authorization for Customs at border checkpoints nationwide to verify preferential tariffs for imported goods of 11 designated Companies based on the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) or Form D.

According to Article 1 of the Decision, these 11 enterprises do not need to apply to the Customs Department for preferential tariff certification; Customs declaration documents are processed in accordance with relevant provisions of the Law on Customs, and the purpose of the pilot is to determine the standard conditions for AEO (Authorized Economic Operator). The list includes: Suwannaphum Home Center Public Company, Lao Brewery Co., Ltd., New Jichen Co., Ltd., Coca-Cola (Laos) Bottling Co., Ltd., Lao Ford City Co., Ltd., Instant Food Group (Laos) Co., Ltd., Lao Mobile Group Co., Ltd., Unilever Services (Laos) Co., Ltd., Tipco Asphalt Laos Co., Ltd., Toyota Laos Co., Ltd., and CI Import and Export Trading Co., Ltd.

Not all goods can take this route

Don't think that once you're on the list, everything is fine. Article 2 of the Decision clearly states: international border checkpoints are responsible for Import inspection, but the scope of consideration for preferential treatment excludes vehicles and machinery, all types of fuel, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco. That is, even under the names of the above 11 enterprises, these four categories of goods are not within the pilot scope.

The verification procedure for the Certificate of Origin under Form D is implemented in accordance with Instruction No. 03782/DC dated February 6, 2016, of the Customs Department, as cited in Article 2 of the Decision.

Practical impact on ordinary cargo owners

First, this is a pilot project. Article 3 of the Decision states that the consideration of preferential tariff treatment is only a pilot project for approved enterprises; after completion, authorized officials at the Import border checkpoints shall summarize the implementation and report to the Customs Department (Legal Division) for evaluation of effectiveness. Article 4 requires the Customs Administration Office and Customs checkpoints to coordinate in Enforcement, and to report and resolve difficulties in accordance with the Law.

Second, Article 5 of the Decision provides that it takes effect within six months from the date of signing. In other words, it is a pilot document with a clear time window, not a permanent system.

Third, for enterprises not on the list, the regular process for Form D preferential tariffs has not changed—the procedures that need to be followed still must be followed. If you are not yet familiar with the Customs Declaration process itself, you can first read this article on our site: "Laos Customs Declaration Bids Farewell to the Paper Era: How Much Do You Know About NSWA+ Electronic System?" (https://www.123laoai.com/guide/204); if your container has already been detained, this article "Container Detained by Customs? You Must Understand This 2022 Guidance from Lao Customs If You Do Import and Export" (https://www.123laoai.com/guide/209) may help you clarify your thoughts.

The signal this Decision sends is: Lao Customs is experimenting in the direction of AEO certification. In the future, for enterprises with good compliance records, Customs clearance facilitation may no longer be "someone else's story."

How far is your Company from AEO standards? How exactly should Form D be filled out so it won't be rejected? Welcome to https://www.123laoai.com to ask AI for free, explain your specific situation clearly, and let LaoPaniti help you check item by item.

This article was compiled by 老法智 LaoPaniti and is for reference only; it does not constitute legal advice.

FAQ

I am not one of these 11 Companies. Can I still enjoy the Form D preferential tariff under ATIGA?

Yes, but the process is different. This 2021 Decision only pilots a facilitation measure for these 11 enterprises of "not needing to apply to the Customs Department for preferential tariff certification." Enterprises not on the list still need to apply for Form D preferential tariffs through the regular procedure. For specifics, you can consult a Customs Declaration agent or the Customs checkpoint.

Can all imported goods of these 11 Companies be verified directly at border checkpoints?

No. According to Article 2 of the Decision, vehicles and machinery, all types of fuel, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco are excluded from the scope of consideration for preferential treatment and are not part of the pilot.

Is this Decision still in effect now?

Article 5 of the Decision provides that it takes effect within six months from the date of signing, and it is a pilot document. For the current Enforcement status, it is recommended to rely on the latest notice from the Customs Department or the actual practice at the checkpoint.

Legal basis

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