The General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has identified issues that must be reformed such as simplifying administrative procedures, preventing harassment and negative acts and strengthening coordination between Customs and relevant agencies.

GDVC’s Deputy Director General Hoang Viet Cuong speaks at the workshop.
Photo: Quang Hung.

This was stated by GDVC’s Deputy Director General Hoang Viet Cuong at the virtual launching workshop on “Business’ satisfaction with import-export administrative procedures: Findings from the 2020 survey” held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the GDVC and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Thursday.

The GDVC has made great efforts to simplify customs procedures, support businesses in customs processes and enhance national competitiveness in customs, Deputy Director General Hoang Viet Cuong said.

The Customs sector has achieved excellent results. Customs has well performed its role as the leading authority and taken the initiative in working with other agencies in developing and perfecting legal document system related to customs area such as single window mechanism and specialised inspection for imported and exported goods.

Moreover, the Customs sector has reformed its organisational structure and improved the quality of customs officials; kept discipline and integrity in public service performance; renovated human resource management method based on working position.

The organisation of the capacity assessment exams in recent years has created a learning movement in the whole the Customs sector to enhance qualifications and skills.

Deputy Director General Hoang Viet Cuong said the Customs sector will focus on reforming some key works for customs reform.

Firstly, reforming institutions and procedures to create a synchronous legal framework for the implementation of new-generation free trade agreements (such as CPTTP, EVFTA), building a smart customs model and implementing the National Single Window, ASEAN Single Window and specialised inspection.

Second, another goal is promoting the implementation of the National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window, while developing a draft decree on quality inspection and food safety inspection for imported goods. Customs will be the focal point in performing these inspections for imported goods at border gates.

Third, promote the application of information technology so that the GDVC will build the overall architecture of the Customs IT system towards Digital Customs based on the application of new achievements in industrial revolution 4.0, meeting requirements for the implementation of automated customs system and in line with international standards.

Fourth, perfecting the e-tax payment system 24/7, automated system for customs management at warehouses and seaports to better serve businesses in import and export activities.

Fifth, researching, perfecting and replicating the model of customs reform, development and modernisation.