The customs authorities of some countries require a largenumber of documents which
inadvertently increases inefficiency in the documentation process. For example, the
customs authorities of Indonesia and Thailand require a number of different documents,
albeit often repetitive, to be filled which increases inefficiency in the documentation
process. In Indonesia, customs require import licences for any goods as well as the
shipping list. If a company has licences, it can import at any time. Apart from an import
licence, the other documentation needed is the shipping list (item list). In Thailand,
the customs specifically require many details on their documents. Typically, it takes five
to seven days to clear after the goods arrive at the port in Thailand. Similarly, for the cross
border flow between Malaysia and Singapore, several layers of documentation are
required. From Singapore to Malaysia, one needs to fill export documentation from
Singapore and nearly a similar set of import documentation to enter Malaysia.
In Myanmar, it requires at least three weeks to obtain an export/import licence and
other documentation for each shipment. In case a licence cannot be obtained, penalty is
imposed. The procedure is time consuming and this is the greatest impediment to trade in
Myanmar. Likewise, in Vietnam and Laos, customs clearance takes almost the same time.
When the documents are in good order, customs clearance (import) can be less than three
days. For transit goods, it takes three-five days. In Laos, one needs to obtain a number