Customs officers of Thanh Hoa Customs Department inspect imported goods. Photo: Phong Nhan

In October 2021 alone, the total imports and exports of Vietnam were estimated at US$53.5 billion, down 0.4% month-on-month. Of which the exports were estimated at US$27.3 billion, and the imports were estimated at US$26.2 billion.

Accordingly, from January to October, Vietnam collected US$537.32 billion in trade, up 22.2% year-on-year. Of which, Vietnam exported US$267.93 billion and imported US$269.38 billion.

Vietnam's merchandise trade balance in October 2021 was estimated to have a surplus of US$1.1 billion. In the past ten months of 2021, Vietnam still had a trade deficit of US$1.45 billion.

The foreign direct investment (FDI) sector in October 2021 had a total import-export value estimated at US$37.8 billion. Of which, exports were estimated at US$20.2 billion, up 1.8% and imports were US$17.6 billion, down 4.1% month-on-month.

In the past ten months, the FDI sector saw an import-export value of US$373.65 billion, accounting for 70% of the country's total import-export value and up 25.3% year-on-year. Of which, the total export value was estimated at US$196.77 billion, up 20.3% and the import value was estimated at US$176.88 billion, up 31.3% year-on-year.

The customs authority continued reform of institutions and administrative procedures in October.

The General Department of Customs actively worked with other ministries, agencies, Government Office and units under the Ministry of Finance to develop and complete draft documents in accordance with regulations.

Specifically, the Decree on the management mechanism, methods, order and procedures for quality inspection and food safety inspection for imported goods; the Decree amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree 08/2015/ND-CP dated January 21, 2015; the Decree on customs management of imported and exported goods in e-commerce transactions; the Decree on the connection and sharing of information in the field of export, import, exit, entry and transit of goods, people and means of transport under the National Single Window.

Moreover, the General Department of Customs also submitted to the Ministry of Finance for promulgation Circular 82/2021/TT-BTC dated September 30, 2021 on customs supervision of imported goods subject to border gate transfer due to congestion or risk of congestion at seaports where social distancing is implemented according to Directive No. 16/CT-TTg dated March 31, 2021 of the Prime Minister.

Regarding the administrative reform work, the General Department of Customs has seriously and effectively implemented Notice 589/TB-BTC dated August 23, 2021 of the Ministry of Finance on the task to carry out solutions to further promote the reform of regulations on business, foreign investment and improve the business environment and improve Vietnam's competitiveness and Notice 673 /TB-BTC dated October 1, 2021 on the development of a decentralization scheme in handling administrative procedures; reviewed feedback, recommendations and consultations on regulations related to business activities; sent the Business Association a survey form on providing and implementing administrative procedures amid the Covid-19 pandemic at the request of the Ministry of Finance; given comments on the Plan to reduce and simplify regulations related to business activities of the Ministry of Industry and Trade according to Resolution 68/NQ-CP dated May 12, 2020 of the Government.

The General Department of Customs has completed the grading, ranking and announcement of Public Administration Reform (PAR) Index 2020 of its subordinates and attached units.

In addition, the General Department of Customs has coordinated with the TFP project to complete the dossier of assessing the impact of administrative procedures in the draft Decree stipulating the management mechanism, methods, order and procedures for quality inspection and food safety inspection for imported goods