2025 Informal Cross Border Trade Survey Report

Informal Cross Border Trade is defined as the commercial exchange of goods across economic territories that are not formally recorded by customs authorities. Within this framework, merchandise crosses border in quantities ranging from small consignments to bulk shipments. Although the physical nature of the goods renders these transactions both visible and potentially traceable, they frequently remain unrecorded. A
principal factor driving this preference for informal channels, particularly among small-scale traders, is the avoidance of custom duties.