Deputy Director General of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Duc Hung speaks at the Tax-Customs Forum 2024 on October 16.

Face challenges

In 2024, although the Vietnamese economy has seen improvements (GDP in the first 9 months of 2024 is estimated to increase by 6.82% and total import-export turnover is estimated to reach US$578.47 billion, up 16.3% year-on-year), it still continues to face difficulties and challenges.

According to Deputy Director General Tran Duc Hung, the General Department of Customs has implemented drastically and effectively practical solutions.

The Customs has applied modern customs management methods based on the principles of risk management and compliance management; promoted post-clearance audit, shifting from pre-inspection to post-audit; strongly applied information technology and centrally processed data at the General Department level.

Facilities, machinery, and equipment for customs inspection, supervision, and control are increasingly modern. Notably, the development of the Customs-Business partnership and related parties has gradually developed and become more and more substantial.

The great efforts of the Customs have been recognized and highly appreciated by the people and the business community. Because the customs reform and modernization has made an important contribution to facilitating Vietnam's international trade activities; promoted the country's economic integration process; improved the effectiveness and efficiency of state management of customs.

Notably, the Customs industry has been identified the development of Customs-Business Partnership and related parties as a key task.

The Customs has performed the task at all three levels, including General Department, Department, and Branch and focused on key activities such as: providing information and supporting businesses; consulting enterprises and relevant agencies; supervising law enforcement; and promoting Customs-Business cooperation.

The Customs always strengthens information dissemination for people and businesses to fully and grasp provisions of the Customs and Tax laws and Customs procedures on the Customs Information Portal and mass media.

The implementation of solutions to develop the partnerships has brought about many positive results for both the Customs and the business community, contributing significantly to building understanding, consensus, and companionship between the Customs and businesses in implementing Customs laws.

Deputy Director General Tran Duc Hung said that Customs authorities at all levels have promoted support businesses through activities such as guiding the enforcement of Customs and Tax regulations; answering questions about customs laws; publicizing the compliance level; training in customs knowledge; and organizing dialogue activities, training, seminars, etc.

The achievements in customs reform and modernization have made important contribution to facilitating enterprises to participate in import and export activities, simplifying administrative procedures, shortening customs clearance time, reducing time and costs for both the Customs and businesses; and have been recognized and highly appreciated by the Party, the State, ministries, branches and the business community, Deputy Director General Tran Duc Hung emphasized.

Continuously improving capacity

To achieve the results, Deputy Director General Tran Duc Hung said that in addition to the attention and close direction of the National Assembly, the Government, and the Ministry of Finance, there are also the efforts and determination of the Customs industry, especially the decisive factor, which is the companionship of the business community.

In order to create momentum for development, the Customs Development Strategy by 2030 aims to improve the service quality for people and businesses in customs processes and control; facilitate trade, tourism and legitimate cross-border transportation, create a transparent and fair import-export environment, contributing to improving national competitiveness”; and “develop cooperative- partner relations between the Customs and related parties to create a foundation and improve the effectiveness of State management of customs”.

Speakers discuss at the forum.

To reach the goal, in the coming time, the Customs industry will continue to use resources and complete legal Customs documents to streamline administrative procedures and facilitate customs procedures and gradually improve the capacity of customs inspection, supervision and control.

Additionally, the Customs industry will promote upgrading the current information technology system, actively implement digital transformation in the Customs industry, contribute to innovating working methods, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Customs authority's operations and the quality of public service provision for people and businesses.

Regarding the development of the partnership between customs - businesses and related parties, the Customs sector will implement more effectively; truly consider businesses as cooperative partners; take business satisfaction as one of the top important criteria to evaluate the effectiveness of the Customs authority's operations.

The Deputy Director General believes that the goals and solutions in the Customs reform and modernization will be a key driving force in supporting and promptly removing difficulties in the production and business activities of the business community; and help businesses develop more strongly, sustainably and effectively in the near future.

However, to do this, in addition to the efforts of the Customs, the active cooperation of ministries, branches, business associations, VCCI and especially the business community is indispensable.

The companionship, dynamism and creativity of the business community will be an important factor in creating the success and development of the Customs agency, Deputy Director General Tran Duc Hung emphasized.