Following the direction of the Government, the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance, Customs has been implementing many practical solutions to facilitate trade, support enterprises to overcome the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and focus on promoting production and business.

To implement the "dual" goal,Customs ensuresboth customs clearance of import
and export goods and pandemic prevention requirements. In the photo: An officer
of Mong Cai Customs Sub-Department carries out procedures for enterprises.
Photo: TKTS

Shortening, simplifying procedures for enterprises

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, for import and export activities, Customs has studied and improved, shortened and simplified many procedures in the work of customs supervision and management in the direction of finding practical and appropriate solutions to create maximum advantages for enterprises to overcome difficulties and stabilize production.

Accordingly, the General Department of Customs has submitted to the Ministry of Finance for promulgation Circular No. 47/2020/TT-BTC dated May 27, 2020 on the submission time and form of origin certificates for imported goods applied during the pandemic.

The provisions of the Circular have solved problems and difficulties of enterprises in submitting original C/Odue to the impact of Covid-19and assisted enterprises in considering special incentives when they do not have the original C/O, as well as prolonging the delay of submission to Customs for enterprises to enjoy special incentivesin the context of lockdowns in some countries.

The General Department of Customs has also advised, developed and submitted to the Ministry of Finance for promulgation Decision No. 155/QD-BTC dated February 7, 2020 and Decision No. 436/QD-BTC dated March 27, 2020, promulgating the List of goodsexempt from import tax for prevention and fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, and a written instructions on tax exemption dossiers and procedures, and reporting regimes for tax-exempt goods.

Also according to the General Department of Customs, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, enterprises have faced difficulty in exporting goods in bonded warehouses and duty-free trading goods; during the time of storage of goods, with limitation of the legal provisions, Customsand enterprises have not had solutionsto handle congested goods at the border gate closed by aforeign country, and cases in which the partners did not accept the goods.

Facing this fact, the General Department of Customs has reported to the Ministry of Finance to submit to the Government for promulgation a resolution extending the time limit for temporary import for re-export of goods stored at duty-free shops and duty-free warehousesdue to the absence of immigration customers and not selling goods; the time of sending goods in bonded warehouses for enterprises due to the fact that the counterparty cannot receive the goodsbecause of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, the Customs sector has applied measures of customs riskmanagement, thereby reducing the burden of customs procedures incarrying out import and export procedures for enterprises.Customsdo not require customs declarantsto submitpaper documentsof the customs dossiers under regulation; and do not require signing and stamping on these documents when sending through the system.

In addition, in the process of implementing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Customs has reduced procedures, not requiring enterprises to submitproofin case goodsare transported in full containers with seals from the exporting countryuntil arriving in Vietnam;accept the master bill of lading for each route, the secondary bill of lading if the secondary bill of lading shows the goods transported from the exporting country to the importing country.

Besides, the Customs office does not impose administrative violations for means of transport that are past the time limit for re-import and re-export as prescribed if there is a document identified in the case of force majeure which the Government of Laosapplies the measure of temporary suspension of entry and exit orthe operator oftransportis subject tothe measure of concentrated isolation at the time the means of transport has to be re-exported or re-imported.

Supporting enterprises toclear goods 24/7

With the solutions directed by the General Department of Customs, the local Customs Departmentshave deployed many solutions to support enterprises in the customs clearance process, helping enterprises have raw materials, facilities, and machinery, as well as equipment for production activities.

In particular, the local Customs Departmentswith international airports have coordinated with the authorities at the border to quickly settle procedures, creating conditions for visitors to enter or pass through the area of the Covid-19 pandemic, divide the flow of passengers' luggage inspection for immigration passengers (including luggage sent on the same flight, carry-on baggage);ensure the number of masks and disease prevention equipment on flights quickly and smoothly.

In particular, Customshas implemented many solutions to promote the export of Vietnamese agricultural products, coordinated to resolve congestion of agricultural productsand directed the facilitation in importing components, raw materials and machines, as well as equipment for production.

Practically helping enterprises overcome the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Customs Departments of provinces and citiesalso promote the application of information technology in handling customs procedures, maintain good implementation of declaration and customs clearance online, increasing the number of records to be resolved through online public services.

At concentrated goods inspection locations, the Customs officeapplies goods inspection (container screening) 24/7 according to the demand of enterprises.In particular, the Customs Sub-Departmentsregularly assign officers to be on duty outside office hours to handle customs procedures for enterprises.

For enterprises that have suspended operations and operated moderately due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Customs Sub-Departments regularly grasp information and keep in touch with enterprises in the area to remove difficulties arising and provide support solutions.

At the same time, strengthening to answer questions about customs procedures for enterprises through the Customs portal; receive and quickly settle tax refunds and tax exemption dossiers, helping enterprises have conditions for re-investment and boost production and business. Regarding the proposals of enterprises beyond their authority, the Customs Departments of the provinces and cities actively reported and proposed the extension of tax payment time for enterprises facing difficulties due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The General Department of Customs has accelerated the completion of customs mechanisms, policies and laws. Accordingly, from the beginning of the year, the Customs has submitted to the Government three decrees and two decisions of the Prime Minister. It has submitted to the Ministry of Finance for promulgation four circulars.

Currently, the General Department of Customs is completing drafts: the Decree regulating the management of cross-border e-commerce activities; Decree amending Decree No. 08/2015/ND-CP and Decree No. 59/2018/ND-CP;The Circular guiding the Decree on sanctioning of administrative violations and enforcement of administrative decisions in the customs sector; Circular amending and supplementing Circular No. 38/2015/TT-BTC and Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BTC.