Customs procedures and inspections are the most significant barriers to logistics
services in ASEAN. The inefficiency arises mainly due to the lack of automated
practices and redundant procedures requiring albeit unnecessary documentation.
5.1 Conclusions
The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to free trade to logistics services in
ASEAN as well as to assess the current situation of logistics services in ASEAN. This
study presents identifies critical as well as important areas which need to be focused
upon for improving trade friendliness across ASEAN.
The generalizability of the results of this study is subject to its limitations although
the results of this study conform to the results of USITC (2005). First, this study was an
exploratory work and the results of this study are indicative in nature. The results and
ratings thereof are only indicative in nature and further conclusive work is required.
Second, the time frame for this study was short and hence the results are at best a
snapshot of the barriers. These barriers may reduce over time. Nonetheless, the study
being exploratory, warrants conducting a more rigorous survey to measure the extent
and influence of each specific barrier in ASEAN, and determine the impact of the
removal of such barriers on logistics performance such as that undertaken by
Kunadhamraks and Hanaoka (2008).