Trade and commerce forms an integral part of the way of the people of Assam from the time of yore. Geographical location, natural resources, cultural affinity etc facilitated people of the region to carry out trade with the neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Tibet, Burma (Myanmar) and China. With the establishment of the British rule in Assam, hitherto existed border trade received its momentum. With a view to accelerate their trade interest, the British established trade fairs in the foothill areas in some strategic places of present-day Assam-Arunachal border. The penetration of the British goods swept away the economy of hill tribes. The study reveals the existence of the border trade of the highlanders during the pre-colonial and colonial period in Assam. The study tries to focus on the prospects of trade of the region with South-East Asian countries.