Officials of Binh Thuan Port Customs Branch guide procedures for businesses.

Proactively help businesses avoid risks

Covering the vast province of Binh Thuan, the Binh Thuan Port Customs Branch faces significant geographical challenges. According to Tran Van Thong, Manager of the Branch, the distance from the headquarters in Phan Thiet City to Vinh Tan Port is approximately 120 kilometers. Even further south, to Tan Linh and Duc Linh districts, the distance is also around 120 kilometers. As a result, customs officers must spend entire days conducting on-site inspections when necessary.

The Branch also oversees the importation of petroleum at the Duong Đong Hoa Phu petroleum terminal, which is about 70 kilometers away. The distance from the shore to the loading point is an additional 3 kilometers. This poses significant challenges for customs supervision. Customs officers often have to be stationed at these remote locations for 3-5 days to complete customs procedures for each petroleum shipment.

Despite these challenges, the Binh Thuan Port Customs Branch remains committed to supporting businesses with diligence and dedication. Tran Van Thong stated that the Branch regularly organizes dialogues with businesses, both in-person and online, to address their concerns and provide timely support. Given that many businesses in Binh Thuan are small-scale and handle their own customs procedures, their understanding of customs regulations and policies is often limited. To address this, the Branch provides comprehensive guidance and support to ensure compliance. Furthermore, the Branch proactively identifies potential risks and alerts businesses to avoid violations.

Of particular concern is the practice of some businesses importing materials for processing and export but then diverting them for domestic consumption without declaring them to customs. Such actions can lead to criminal charges. Thus, in recent dialogues, the Branch has strongly advised businesses against this practice. Additionally, the Branch is conducting a review of all businesses that have imported machinery and equipment for fixed assets in the past but have not reported any recent exports. The manager explained, “In recent years, due to economic difficulties, many businesses have faced challenges, even bankruptcy. If businesses sell off machinery and equipment domestically without declaring it, they will face legal consequences.”

Furthermore, for machinery and equipment imported over a decade ago and fully depreciated, the resale value may be very low. However, if undeclared and subject to legal proceedings, the customs value will be based on the original import value, which could amount to hundreds of millions or even billions of dong. Therefore, businesses are advised to declare the disposal of such assets to customs. Following these recommendations, some businesses have already submitted declarations to dispose of their assets. This not only ensures effective management but also protects businesses from unnecessary risks.

Help businesses grow

As a seafood processing and exporting company, Hai Nam Company has been operating in Binh Thuan province since 1994. Over the years, the company has expanded significantly and now has six processing plants, exporting products to high-end markets such as Europe, Japan, and the United States. Doan Thi Phuong, Head of Sales at Hai Nam Company, said that the Binh Thuan Port Customs Branch has played a crucial role in the company's growth over the past 30 years. The branch's officials have been very supportive, from providing guidance on procedures to resolving issues.

Specifically, during the processing and export process, the company sometimes encounters situations where customers return raw materials due to contract disputes or quality issues, requiring re-export or disposal. "These unexpected situations can be confusing for businesses, but the customs officials have always been very helpful," Phuong shared. Thanks to the branch's thorough guidance and support, not only are procedures processed quickly, but the company's documents are also complete and accurate. As a result, Hai Nam Company has consistently passed post-clearance audits without any violations or additional tax assessments. According to Phuong, the dedicated support of the Binh Thuan Port Customs Branch is highly appreciated not only by Hai Nam's management but also by its partners and customers.

Tran Le Xuan Nhat, Deputy Director of Zhongyu Seafood Company (100% foreign-owned by China), also expressed his appreciation for the customs branch's support for businesses. All procedures are processed quickly and efficiently. When encountering difficulties, businesses can simply contact the branch for timely assistance. Additionally, the branch regularly organizes training sessions to inform businesses about new regulations and procedures. "Thanks to the branch's support, our company has maintained a stable export volume and met customer commitments over the years," Nhat shared