Ministry of Public Works and Transport Modernises Transport Management System

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport ("MPWT") has changed the management, monitoring and inspection of cargo, cargo containers and cargo vehicles passing through international crossings by land, water, rail and air with the use of the cross border transport management ("CBTM") system.  This is to facilitate the transport of goods in a convenient and efficient manner, and be compliant with laws and regulations by recording, storing and reporting transport information electronically or printing documents from the system.

The CBTM system refers to the web-based application system of the Lao International Truckers And Freight Forwarders Association ("LITFA") with a centralised database, which is used for recording entry-exit information and maintaining goods, cargo containers and cargo documents through an electronic system. The CBTM system can be accessed through mobile phones (Smart Phones), computers, tablets and other electronic devices.

According to the Instruction on Cross Border Transport Management, No. 2525/MPWT, dated 30 January 2023, for foreign cargo vehicles that temporarily enter the customs territory of Laos, cargo carriers must comply with the following requirements and conditions:

1. Be members of LITFA and have paid the association maintenance fee in full within one quarter (for old members). New ordinary members must have paid the registration fee and association maintenance fee in full after the approval of their membership;
2. They are a contracting party with a foreign shipping company that (i) has been authorised to operate the shipping business properly and (ii) has a document certifying that it is a guarantor for the contracting party in accordance with the LITFA agreement form in the CBTM system;
3. Pay the costs, system usage fees and other obligations issued by LITFA;
4. Attend the CBTM system training, pass the exam and have their own access code;
5. Issue shipping documents on behalf of the foreign carriers, and be responsible for ensuring transportation as well as insurance for each trip; and
6. No criminal record issued by the court indicating that they have been prosecuted or sentenced in relation to violations in transporting goods.

Users of the User ID system in the CBTM system are classified into three categories: (i) User ID of the Trade and Transportation Facilitation Committee Secretariat; (ii) User ID of the international checkpoint; and (iii) User ID of the operator.