A bird’s-eye view of containers being handled at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port. Post staff
Members of the Kingdom’s logistics sector have shared their support for a forthcoming trial of electronic seals – in addition to existing physical ones – for cross border goods shipments. They suggested that their use will enhance the efficiency of the transportation sector and could increase trust among goods owners.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) announced that it will begin trialling a new goods transportation tracking system – which uses electronic seals – as soon as April 1.
It noted that the new system will strengthen compliance and improve the efficiency of managing goods transportation.
The trial will collect baseline data, in preparation for the official implementation of the system at eight Customs and Excise branches.
These branches are at the Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh International Ports, in Bavet and Poipet, at the Zhejiang Guoji and Phnom Penh SEZs, and the Hong Leng Huor and Tec Srun Dry Ports.
Chhin Ken, president of the Cambodia Digital Tech Association ( CDTA), expressed support for the implementation of the trial.
“This is a new development for the Cambodian transportation sector because the electronic seals provide extremely clear tracking of goods from one place to another,” he told The Post on March 25.
“As a private sector representative, I fully support the use of this system, especially for containers. The most important point is that it will provide additional transparency, for transport companies, goods owners and the government, to ensure that transportation is not tampered with, and goods are not stolen or manipulated. This is very important. I believe this development will improve the quality and efficiency of government operations as well,” he explained.
Chea Chandara, president of the Cambodian Transport and Supply Chain Association, echoed his sentiments.
He believed that the trial of the electronic seals will provide many benefits for the owners of goods, as well as make it easier for the government to manage the flow of cargo.
“The trial implementation of the electronic seal to track goods shipments is part of the GDCE’s strategy to make the management of transport more efficient. Through electronic seals, we will know where the goods are headed and if they follow the designated route or not. This is a positive development, and I believe it will help improve the transportation sector in Cambodia,” he said.
