source : https://www.hakovo.com/

Cross-border trade in ASEAN remains burdened by fragmented customs procedures, inconsistent regulatory interpretations, and heavy reliance on manual, paper-based processes. For logistics providers, customs brokers, and multinational exporters, these inefficiencies result in frequent errors, unpredictable delays, and costly compliance risks especially when navigating different documentation requirements, tariff codes, and regulatory authorities across borders. 

The lack of integration between national systems forces businesses to manage filings manually or through disjointed platforms, leading to bottlenecks in clearance, increased operational costs, and reduced supply chain visibility. These challenges ultimately hinder the scalability and agility of cross-border trade, making automation and harmonization critical for sustainable growth in the region.

To overcome these entrenched challenges in ASEAN’s cross-border trade environment, HAKOVO emerged as a digital solution provider dedicated to modernizing customs and compliance processes. HAKOVO is a Singapore-based deep-tech SaaS startup established in 2016, offering uCCH (“unified Customs Clearing House”), an AI-powered platform that automates cross-border customs procedures and trade compliance across ASEAN markets using direct integration with national single window systems.

Born out of Singapore’s PSA unboXed incubator program and supported by Enterprise Singapore’s ACE Startups Grant, HAKOVO was created to tackle fragmentation, paper dependence, and regulatory inconsistencies in ASEAN customs and trade processes. Its mission is to drive modernization, reduce friction, and enhance transparency through digital transformation and machine-learning powered compliance tools.

HAKOVO is founded and led by Takayuki Akahodani, who serves as CEO. With decades of global logistics and supply chain experience (including senior roles at Deutsche Post DHL), Akahodani holds degrees in business and logistics from Japanese universities and Cranfield University in the UK.

HAKOVO’s core product, the Unified Customs Clearing House (uCCH), is an end-to-end AI-powered customs clearance and trade compliance platform designed specifically for the complexities of cross-border trade in ASEAN and Asia. The platform automates and simplifies the entire customs declaration process ranging from document extraction, tariff classification, and duties/tax calculation, to submission and approval with local customs authorities. 

One of uCCH’s standout features is its intelligent HS Code recommendation engine, which uses natural language processing (NLP) to extract data from invoices and supporting documents, then suggests the correct tariff code based on context and historical trade data. Additionally, the system integrates directly with national single window (NSW) platforms in countries like Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, enabling real-time digital filings and eliminating the need for physical paperwork. 

HAKOVO’s modular service suite includes Smartclear (customs declarations), Smartariff (duties, taxes, and regulatory controls), Smartrace (container tracking and shipment visibility), and Smartfreight (freight management and marketplace tools). Users benefit from a centralized dashboard that provides full audit trails, compliance validation, and proactive alerts for trade risks or mismatches. These services are especially valuable to customs brokers, logistics providers, and multinational corporations navigating different trade laws across ASEAN. Through automation, digitization, and regulatory integration, HAKOVO helps reduce errors, cut declaration time by up to 90%, and significantly lower operational costs for regional importers and exporters.

As of mid-2025, HAKOVO has publicly disclosed an angel investment of S$821,000 (≈ USD 600K) but has not released information on any subsequent funding rounds or total capital raised beyond its seed stage.

Case Study

Japan – Indonesia Digital Trade Corridor (2023–2024)

In September 2023, HAKOVO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with TradeWaltz Inc, a Japanese trade-data blockchain platform, to link their systems via API under a JETRO/Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan) supply chain diversification initiative. The project piloted an end-to-end digital trade corridor between Japan and Indonesia, integrating customs filing, freight data, and regulatory validation. Outcomes from the POC include:

• Customs document processing time slashed by ~96%
• Operational steps cut by ~58%
• Per-shipment transaction cost reduced by ~67%
• Additional benefits: lower emissions through smoother logistics, standardized digital trucking operations, reduced congestion and vendor inefficiencies 

HAKOVO is a pioneering trade-tech startup bringing AI, automation, and digital compliance to ASEAN’s complex customs ecosystem. Founded by a logistics veteran and backed by strategic angel investors and PSA unboXed, HAKOVO has demonstrated real-world impact through initiatives like the Japan-Indonesia digital corridor. As trade volumes grow and digital transformation becomes essential across the region, HAKOVO’s uCCH platform is well-positioned to scale as a central bridge for transparent, efficient, and compliant international logistics.

References

1. HAKOVO Official Website
   https://www.hakovo.com
2. HAKOVO Pressroom – Angel Round Funding
   “HAKOVO Closes S$821,000 Angel Round of Funding”
   https://www.hakovo.com/pressroom/hakovo-closes-susd821-000-angel-round-of-funding
3. TradeWaltz Partnership News
   “World’s First Japan–Indonesia Digital Trade Platform Solution is Now Available”
   https://www.hakovo.com/pressroom/world-s-first-japan-indonesia-digital-trade-platform-solution-is-now-available-on-the-market
4. PSA unboXed Announcement
   “HAKOVO Selected by PSA International’s Corporate Venture Capital Arm”
   https://www.hakovo.com/pressroom/hakovo-selected-by-psa-international-s-corporate-venture-capital-arm-as-the-first-participant-in
5. LinkedIn: Trade Corridor Launch Post by TradeWaltz & JETRO (via Benson See)
   https://www.linkedin.com/posts/bensonsee_leveraging-singapore-as-a-strategic-transshipment-activity-7214041465243492352-2UUl
6. JETRO / METI Japan News (via TradeWaltz)
   METI Supply Chain Diversification Project Collaboration with HAKOVO
   https://www.tradewaltz.com/en/news/1441

Contributor : Dyah Ayuning Tyas

Reviewer      : Imam Buchari