Officials of Binh Duong General Port Customs Branch guide enterprises on import-export procedures. Photo: Phi Vũ

Cutting costs and boosting efficiency

Since early 2024, the Binh Duong General Port Customs Branch has handled import-export (I/E) procedures for over 600 businesses—a 41% increase compared to last year. Total I/E turnover reached $431 million, reflecting a 12.3% rise year-on-year. The branch also supervised 463,000 TEUs of goods through the port, marking a 50% surge from the same period in 2023.

To promote I/E activities, the branch has implemented several solutions to create favorable conditions for businesses. These include frequent procedural reforms, modernization of processes, and enhanced application of information technology and modern equipment to expedite customs clearance.

Incorporating advanced technology and digital transformation, the branch has helped businesses save significant logistics costs—up to VND 1 million per container.

“Digital transformation has not only expedited customs declarations but also ensured a transparent legal framework, reducing time and expenses for businesses while attracting more enterprises to Binh Duong Province,” said Huynh Anh Tuan, Manager of Binh Duong General Port Customs Branch.

Facilitating enterprises

In an interview with Customs Magazine, Le Ngoc Hoang, representative of the I/E department at Kraft Vina Paper Co., Ltd., stated:

“As a company specializing in packaging paper production, we process around 500 I/E declarations monthly at the Binh Duong General Port Customs Branch. Despite the large workload, we consistently receive timely support and facilitation throughout the customs clearance process. This has helped us save time and ensure smooth goods circulation.”

To accommodate growing demand, customs officers are stationed 24/7 at the port to oversee goods inspections and ensure smooth cargo flow.

Regular meetings with businesses are held to address challenges and align with their production and trade plans, reflecting the branch’s commitment to accompanying enterprises on their development journey.

The newly opened customs clearance site at Thanh Phuoc Port has further enhanced operational convenience. Businesses can now process customs procedures and retrieve goods directly at the port, cutting down on time and costs.

By October 2024, the site had facilitated 650 I/E declarations for 35 enterprises, totaling $13.6 million in turnover and contributing over VND 26 billion in taxes.

With I/E activities expected to spike during the Christmas and Lunar New Year seasons, the branch is ramping up resources to ensure swift handling of customs procedures, minimizing disruptions for businesses.

In addition to trade facilitation, the branch has intensified efforts to monitor high-risk areas and prevent trade fraud. Mobile container scanning machine are being utilized effectively to combat violations, ensuring fair practices.

Amid Vietnam’s participation in multiple preferential tariff agreements with Europe, the United States, and other partners, Vietnamese-origin goods enjoy tax advantages. However, some businesses exploit these policies by importing finished or semi-finished products, relabeling them as “Made in Vietnam” before exporting them, thereby undermining the competitiveness of genuinely Vietnamese-made products.

To counter this, the branch has developed plans to prevent illegal transshipment and fraudulent origin claims to maintain fair trade practices and uphold the reputation of Vietnamese goods.