The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) is developing a Circular regulating customs procedures for imports for urgent requirements; submission of documents under customs dossiers and physical inspection for imports and exports amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Customs officers of Hai Phong Customs Department at work.

Accordingly, the circular aims to implement section 2, part II of the Government’s Resolution 105 on supporting enterprises, cooperatives and business households amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The circular also facilitates customs declarants in customs clearance, ensuring the dual goals of effectively preventing disease while maintaining smooth imports and exports.

Currently, the GDVC has developed the circular and reported to the Ministry of Finance for approval of the Prime Minister.

The circular is expected to govern imports for urgent requirements, including aid goods, gifts, donations from foreign organizations and individuals to Vietnam, goods imported by Vietnamese organizations and individuals to support the Government, the Ministry of Health and municipal and provincial governments in Covid-19 prevention, control and treatment.

The Circular also stipulates the submission of documents in customs dossiers for imports and exports that are required to be presented as paper documents, including documents of customs dossiers and certificates of origin for imports.

It regulates that the customs branch where the goods are stored will conduct a physical inspection for goods at the request of the customs branch at which the declaration is registered.

The regulations will be applied to specialized management agencies, customs branches, customs declarations and goods storage sites in areas that must comply with the Government’s Directive 16; and imports for aid, donations, gifts for Covid-19 prevention and control.

The GDVC is collecting feedback from departments and local customs departments and businesses on the circular.