Officers of Hoa Lac Customs Branch at work.

Director General of Vietnam Customs Nguyen Van Can directed key tasks in Directive 384/CT-TCHQ dated February 8, 2022 promoting administrative reform and simplifying customs procedures towards paperless customs by 2022.

According to Directive 384, Customs sets out targets and plans to implement solutions towards paperless customs in 2022 and successfully develop digital customs and smart customs in the following years.

The Director General requests customs units to focus on performing eight key tasks.

First, build the advanced Customs IT system towards a digital customs model and smart customs with a high level of digitization and automation to meet the requirements on performing customs procedures in the digital (paperless) environment at anytime, anywhere and on any device; automatically control customs operation in implementing procedures before and post-customs clearance.

Second, strengthen the exchange, connection and digital transformation of data and documents in customs dossiers between the National Single Window system and the specialized management system for imports and exports of ministries and government agencies with the Customs Data Processing System.

Third, expedite the implementation of the Action plan on promoting the ASEAN Single Window; automatically connect and exchange data between the ASEAN Single Window System and the Customs IT system.

Fourth, promote administrative procedure reform, reduce and simplify regulations related to business activities according to the Government’s Resolution 68/NQ-CP dated May 12, 2020.

Fifth, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of using the system of scanners, cameras, electronic seals and equipment for customs inspection and supervision. Exchange and connect inspection and scanning results with the Data Processing System during customs clearance for imports and exports.

Sixth, to effectively operate the National Single Window System according to the tasks assigned in the Government's Resolutions; implement comprehensive reform of management and specialized inspection for imports and exports in the direction that the Customs authority is the focal point to carry out specialized inspection as per Government Resolution 99/NQ-CP dated November 13, 2020 and Decision 38/QD-TTg dated January 12, 2021 of the Prime Minister.

Seventh, customs procedures for import, export and transit goods, and means of transport on exit, entry or in transit are carried out electronically. Customs dossiers must be submitted to Customs via the electronic data processing system or paper documents are converted into e-dossiers (scanned copies certified by digital signatures).

Customs authority does not require enterprises to submit paper documents (except for paper or original documents required by ministries and government agencies). E-documents must meet requirements on electronic transactions.

Eighth, the contents of administrative procedures are required to be publicized at the customs office.

In order to effectively implement the above tasks, the Directive also provides specific tasks for each unit.

Solutions provided by the General Department of Vietnam Customs aim to achieve the goal of reform and modernization in the 2021-2030 period and improve the electronic working environment in customs management; build a Digital Customs platform based on big data application; connect with parties through data sharing and digital platforms to create digital Customs services; apply new technologies of the fourth industrial revolution to be the leading agency in the Government's digital transformation master plan, and strive to become the leading digital Customs agency in the world for 2026-2030.

Follow Directive 23/CT-TTg dated September 2, 2021 of the Prime Minister on accelerating the implementation of the Master Program on State Administrative Reform for the 2021-2030 period, Decision 2764/QD of General Department of Vietnam Customs dated October 29, 2021 of the General Department of Customs on the administrative reform plan for 2021-2025.