Facing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, in addition to solutions to strengthen customs inspection and supervision, Customs has promptly implemented solutions to support businesses to overcome difficulties, ensuring the flow of import and export goods.

Customs operation at Thanh Hoa Seaport Customs Branch. Photo: N.L

Timely solutions 

In 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s total import and export still set a new record with more than US$545 billion, up US$ 28 billion year-on-year; a record trade surplus of nearly US$20 billion, surging nearly two fold fromthe trade surplus of 2019.

This result stems from the implementation of the policy of customs reform, trade facilitation, and the enhancement of IT application and modern equipment amid the Covid-19 outbreak that has a great impact on import and export activities as well as customs management for import and export goods.

The Customs Control and Supervision (under the General Department of Vietnam Customs) has advised and proposed the GDVC’s leaders to improve mechanisms, policies and solutions to closely perform thecustoms supervision and facilitate businesses amid the impact ofCovid-19. Accordingly, there are notable instructions such as the submission of paper documents of the customs dossier as the photo by the customs declarant is not required; the signature and stamp on these documents when sending them onthe system is not required. For the CPTPP, it is not required to submit documents for goods transported in the full container and full lead seal from the exporting country until arriving to Vietnam; it is accepted the master bill for each stage and secondary bill of lading if it shows the goods are transported from the exporting country to the importing country.

Promptly instructs municipal and provincial customs departments with international airports to coordinate with competent authorities at border gates toquickly process customs procedures and createconditions for inbound passengers coming from or crossing regions impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, classifying inspection channels for inbound passengers' baggage in a quick and safe manner. Following Circular No.47/2020/TT-BTC dated May 27, accordingly, extending deadline for submission of C/O; accepting the submission of C/O with the e-signature and seal, or copy or scanned copy of C/O to the Customs. Submitting to the Ministry of Finance to remove difficulties for firmsin the direction of allowing businesses to extend the time forstoring goods in bonded warehouses andduty-free shops until the Covid-19 pandemic is ended.

In addition, the directions of the Government and the Ministry of Finance on import and export management mechanisms and policies for essential commodities for disease prevention and control, such as rice, masks and medical equipment have been deployed specifically and promptly by the GDVC. To implement solutions to support businesses, remove difficulties for production and business; and implement the goal of improving the business environment, contributing to enhancing the national competitiveness, the GDVC has issued the action plan for promoting administrative reform and supporting businesses in import and export activities during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. At the same time, the GDVC has proposed the Ministry of Finance report the Prime Minister to abolish the procedure for confirming the origin declaration (the paper document), and using information on the electric customs declaration to replace origin declaration, serving as a basis for vehicle registration agencies to grant vehicle registrationsforimported cars, motorcycles and means of transport.

Focus on building operational problems towards digital customs

Despite the complex development of the Covid-19 pandemic, Customs still focuses on mobilising resources to build the overall operational problem under the scheme on redesigning the overall Customs IT system, meeting core requirements, towards digital and smart customs. When the scheme is put into operation, there will be in intelligent and modern IT system that supports Custom management for import and export activities and facilitates customs officers, the business community and relevant ministries and sectors in the customs clearance, specialised management, and cuts goods clearance time.

In addition, Customs has expanded the Vietnam Automated system for Seaport Customs management (VASSCM) and the system for customs supervision and management at airports, as well asofficially deployed the GPS-based e-sealing system for goods transported by containers subject to customs supervision and promoted the application of IT systems and modern equipment in the customs management.

Solutions for supporting import and export enterprises to overcome difficulties implemented by Customs Control and Supervision Department such as application of international standards, modern customs management processes forsmart customs, digital customs to maximise facilitation to the business community while ensuring strict supervision and management in accordance with the law. At the same time, promoting and improving the efficiency of the use of modern inspection and supervision equipment, increasing connection with information technology applications in internal management and supervision.