The Military Council’s Customs Department said that the secured logistics with the E-Lock system in transporting containers with box trucks commenced at Thilawa Special Economic Zone on 19 September, with a view to ensuring smooth trade flow, according to junta media.

The system will provide real-time monitoring of cargo movements, track and detect the activity and whereabouts of the trucks, give information on number of trips and trade routes and running time also. The system also ensures safe and secured logistics, it is learned.

Moreover, the private sector can gain benefits from this system as it will provide real-time monitoring of cargo movements, track and detect the activity and whereabouts of the trucks, ensure safe and secured logistics and smooth trade flow, combat illicit trade, minimize cargo delays and reduce the loss risks of the goods and save certain fees.

Phase 1 of the E-Lock system will begin on the Yangon SEZ-Myawady route. Then, it will proceed to Yangon-Myawady, Mandalay-Muse and Yangon-Mandalay routes under Phase II.

The Military Council said that E-lock label and seal would clearly show it is legal trade so that it can combat illicit trade and raise the State’s revenue.

Moreover, in inspection of goods on the route it will be better to use ICL technology with X-ray machines than the manual inspection as it will save time and have a better chance of exposing and seizing illicit trade and goods.

The seizure of illicit trade and goods in June 2023 is more than previous months. The value of seized goods for the monthly average in freight group-wise is 11.816 billion Kyats.

The seizure of illicit goods in June this year is 4.254 billion Kyats more than the previous month.

The causes of rampant illicit trade in the country are Military Council’s incorrect policies, prevailing demand and supply situation, lack of transparency in trade policy and customs working environment and moreover another factor is having the porous international border with insecure border control by security forces.

Smart logistic tracking with an e-lock system is widely used in international countries including neighbouring China and Thailand.

The successful E-lock system will contribute to the ASEAN Customs Transit system to facilitate the movement of goods across ASEAN borders.