Accompanying and removing difficulties for firmsnot only helps the customs clearance to be performed smoothly but brings remarkable results in the revenue collection of Cau Treo International Customs Branch (Ha Tinh Customs Department). In the first quarter of the year, the branch’s revenue hit80% of the estimate, a year-on-year increase of 250%.

Officers of Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch inspect imported goods.
Photo: H.N

Customs clearance 24/24 hours

Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch has cleared 2,379 declarations, a year-on-year increase of 63.7% with a total import and export turnover of US$101.3 million, increasing by 88% compared to 2020. Export turnover has hitUS$35.24 million, up 66%, import turnover hits US$66.06 million, up 103% compared to 2020. The branch has collected and contributed VND 120 billion, 80% of the estimate and a year-on-year increase of 250%. In addition, it has conducted customs clearance for 18,967 exit and entry means of transport, according to statistics of the Customs Branch of Cau Treo International Border Gate.

From the end of 2020 to now, the branch has provided solutions in customs management, inspection and supervision and facilitated import and export activities. The exchange of information and removing difficulties in import and export activities by the branch has been appreciated by businesses, said Deputy Manager of Cau Treo International Border Gate Customs Branch Pham Van Tai.

According to Tai, the branch arranges staff to collectdossiers and conduct customs clearance for businesses; publicisesthe list and phone numbers of customs officers at the check points for businesses to contact in case of unexpected work.

The branch has instructed businesses to supplement documents and implement procedures for traceability of goods and customs declaration under the Government Decree 102/2020/ND-CP, ensuring fast customs clearance for businesses in the first days of 2021 when the Lao government changed its wood export policy.

Therepresentative of Trung Nhi Trading Import-Export Co., Ltd, Nguyen Quoc Toan, said the company applied for customs clearance from two to four shipments on average per day at the end of 2020. Some days, the goods weretransported to the border gate out of working hours. However, the branches’ customs officers still received and conducted customs clearance. The performance by the branch helped the company clear goods in three minutes. This not only reducedthe customs clearance time, but also ensuredthe source of raw materials for production and business.

The volume of import and export goods cleared at Cau Treo Border Gate has surged.
Photo: H.N

Determined to support businesses

The branch has beenassigned a revenue target of VND 150 billion in 2021; this is the highest revenue in the past 20 years. To achieve this target, the branch has provided solutions for all stages of producers, tax collection, customs inspection, supervision, risk management, anti- smuggling and trade fraud. Thanks to creating a favourable environment, Cau Treo Customs’ revenue exceeded 80% of the target.

The achievement stems from the increase in the number of businesses carrying out customs procedures at the branch. In addition to firmsthat regularly implement import and export procedures, 62 more enterprises came to implement procedures here, upby 51 enterprises compared to 2020, including businesses that used to carry outprocedures at other branches and businesses newly participating in import-export activities.

The branch’s representative saidto prevent the Covid-19 pandemic while managing and supervising goods to increase State revenue, the branch has strengthened the reform of administrative procedures towards simplifying and creating the best conditions for import-export activities, goods transit and means of transport. The branch has handled problems to limit damage and reduce time and costs, and is highly appreciated by many businesses.

Many domestic enterprises carry out customs procedures for wood, ore imported from Laos to Vietnam for production. To create maximum conditions for businesses, the branch continues to promote reforms of administrative procedures, facilitate customs clearance andremove problems arising in customs clearance, thereby determining to accompany enterprises to overcome difficulties.

Cau Treo Customs will also strengthen post-customs clearance audit, inspection, prevention of smuggling and trade fraud to maximise efficiency in customs control, management and supervision, contributing to the fight against revenue loss.