Overview
In 2018, the Lao - Myanmar Friendship Bridge (Meung Mon-Wan Pong) became an international border crossing site for Laos and Myanmar following an upgrade and international recognition. Prior to the upgrade, it was difficult for citizens of both nations to traverse the Myanmar-Laos border. When COVID began, the bridge was temporarily closed as a means of crossing the border; passengers and cargo wished to cross the border via the boat located near the bridge area
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Border Crossing Location and Contact |
|
|---|---|
|
Name of Border Crossing
|
Lao – Myanmar Friendship Bridge (Luangnamtha Prov. Laos – Tachilek, Shan State). Country #1: Laos |
|
Province or District |
Long District, Luangnamtha |
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Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing |
Sing District Distance: 51 km |
|
Latitude |
20.87102 |
|
Longitude |
100.54234 |
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Managing Authority / Agency |
Customs Division |
|
Contact Person |
n/a |
|
Travel Times |
|
|---|---|
|
Nearest International Airport |
Luangnamtha International Airport Distance: 150km Truck Travel Time: 6 hr Car Travel time: 4.5 hr |
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Nearest Port |
Name: Bangkok Port, Thailand Distance: 1,220 km Truck Travel Time: 22 hrs Car Travel time: 20 hrs |
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Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity |
Name: Luangnamtha district Distance: 150 km Truck Travel Time: 6 hrs Car Travel time: 4.5 hrs |
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Other Information
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For this route there are fuelling stations and weighing bridges. |
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Hours of Operation |
|
|---|---|
|
Mondays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
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Tuesdays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
|
Wednesdays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
|
Thursdays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
|
Fridays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
|
Saturdays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
|
Sundays |
8:00 AM- 5:00 PM |
|
National Holidays
|
01 January, 20 January, 08 March, 14-16 April, 01 May, 02 December. |
|
Seasonal Constraints |
No seasonal constraint |
Daily Capacity
There are approximately 50 freight transport vehicles entering and exiting the checkpoint daily. On average, clearance process per one import shipment at the checkpoint takes around 2-3 hours
Customs Clearance
The Ministry of Finance’s Customs Department, a regulatory authority for imports, requires tax exemption certificate (in case of humanitarian goods) including supporting documents to manage the import of goods and equipment at checkpoint.
Charges per time for importing truck include:
|
Truck Wheels/length |
Charge in USD |
Charge in Local Currency (Kip) |
|---|---|---|
|
6 |
5 |
100,000 |
|
10 to 12 |
6 |
120.000 |
|
More than 12 and trailer |
9 |
180.000 |
|
20 foot |
0.8 |
15.000 |
|
40 foot |
1.5 |
30.000 |
Remark: charges (round up) in USD are based on BCEL exchange rate USD 1 = 20.752 kip as of 16 October 2023.
For more information on customs, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.
Other Relevant Information
Under Ministry of Finance, Laos’ Customs Clearance for Imports (ASYCUDA) is implementing smart customs project that the digitalization of imports and exports at international border crossing is being modernized. The ministry adopts the Lao National Single Window (LNSW) and integrates it into the ASYCUDA that became known as the NSWA+.
However, Lao-Mynmar Friendship Bridge has not yet been integrated into the project. In other words, the customs clearance is still a paper-based system.
Documents that are typically required for the customs clearance for non-foods and food items are:
Tax exemption document from relevant partner government ministry, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Analysis Certificate, Phytosanitary Certificate, Fumigation Certificate, Import Permit for Food (issued by Laos’ Food and Drug Department, Ministry of Public Health).
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.
