In 2020, although import and export activities in Can Tho and the Mekong Delta region have faced many difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Can Tho Customs Department has focused on providing the maximum support to businesses, ensuring fast clearance of goods, contributing to minimising damage for businesses and increasing budget revenue.

Officers of Vinh Long Customs Branch (Can Tho Customs Department)
inspect imported raw materials. Photo: D.N 

Support customs clearance amid the pandemic

According to Can Tho Customs Department, the increase in revenue in 2020 stems from the increase in revenue of some major items such as machinery, equipment for investment projects of 56.96%, raw materials for pharmaceutical production of 8.21% and imported petroleum products of 4.67%.

Investment projects in the provinces under the management of the Can Tho Customs Department such as Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Hau Giang, Soc Trang and Can Tho City have beenimplemented on schedule. In addition, imported goods that are raw materials for export processing andproduction are cleared quickly by customs branches, helping enterprises promptly put the goods into production and deliver for partners on time and ensure quality under the contract.

According to incomplete statistics, from the beginning of the year tonow, customs branches of Can Tho Customs Department have arranged nearly 900 officers to work overtime at the request of 1,700 businesses with nearly 12,0000 declarations, import and export turnover of more thanUS$50 million.

Vo Tuyet Phuong, an officer in charge of import-export, Ty Xuan Company Limited (Vinh Long) said in the context toboth ensure pandemic prevention while ensuring customs clearance for businesses, Vinh Long Border Customs Branch as well as the advisory and operational units of Can Tho Customs Department have made great efforts to support businesses by resolving overtime procedures, ensuring fast customs clearance andsolving problems arising in carrying out procedures to help businesses runimport and export activities smoothly during recent outbreaks.

Enhancing Customs-enterprise partnerships

It is expected that by the end of 2020, import-export turnover across the Can Tho Customs Department will exceed US$5.3 billion with more than100,000 declarations, an increase of about 10% year-on-year with the major export products like rice; rice oil; charcoal; steel; brick; cigarette; processed seafood; vegetables; veterinary medicine; cardboard paper; textiles and garments, leather and footwear; handicraft products; and auto parts. Major imported goods are DO oil, FO oil; liquefied petroleum gas; asphalt; toluene; wood; motorcycle; copier paper; pharmaceutical materials; chemistry; materials for shoe production; textile materials; and machinery and equipment to create fixed assets; processing components, auto parts production.

Nguyen Van Vu, Deputy Director in charge of Can Tho Customs Department, said 2020 is a key year in developing the partnerships of the department. From the beginning of the year, the department signed a Customs – business partnership agreement with 10 firmsin the area. The department has continued to implement and do well the construction and development of the Customs – businesses partnership, diversified methods for approaching and assisting businesses toimplement Customs procedures. Strive for satisfaction of businesses and partners with customs administrative procedures to reach 70% or more in the main indicators of the quotas as prescribed by the General Department of Vietnam Customs: access information on customs laws, implement administrative procedures in the customs field, service of customs officers, results of the settlement of customs administrative procedures, general assessment of customs policies in official surveys approved by competent authorities.

From the beginning of the year to now, subordinateunits of Can Tho Customs Department have removed nearly 200 problems for businesses through many methods like direct support, telephone and written. In addition, the department has helpedbusinesses implement electronic customs procedures, and deploying the scheme of automated system for customs management in ports, warehouses and yards, and the scheme on e-tax payment and customs clearance 24/7.

From the beginning of the year to now, Can Tho Customs Department has collected more than VND 3,000 billion, up25% year-on-year; hitting nearly 130% of the target and more than 120% of the desired target assigned by the GDVC.