The Customs Administration of the Netherlands is part of the Ministry of Finance, and has Attachés posted all over the world. These representatives are making efforts to cooperate with local authorities and they help to promote international trade by aiming for smarter customs procedures together with the host country. Furthermore, they contribute to combating fraud, and they cooperate with other enforcement agencies. The Customs Attachés coordinate their work with the trade section and with Attachés from other departments such as agriculture and police. 

The Customs and Tax Attaché for Southeast Asia is based at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Singapore, and is also accredited for Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. In these countries, the Attaché actively works with the local authorities to develop positive working relationships and identify collaboration opportunities for Dutch Customs, and the relevant authorities in the Netherlands. Also, working with local Tax authorities in the region, such as the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS), and Directorate General of Taxes (Indonesia), are part of the responsibilities to improve bilateral cooperation between the Netherlands and local tax authorities to achieve high level goals and objectives.

At the Embassy in Singapore, an International Relations Officer, works together with the Attaché. The other embassies in the region have an appointed officer dealing with customs and taxation.

As the Netherlands and Singapore serve as the primary gateways to Europe and Southeast Asia, the cooperation between the customs organisations will promote trade facilitation between both countries and regions, and enhance trade security through better risk assessment.

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