HCM City Customs Department has effectively launched programmes on customs modernisation and reform, building strong foundation toward a smart customs model.

Customs officers of Tan San Nhat International Airport
inspect goods via scanner. Photo: Thu Hoa.

Modernising from management to operational process

Amid the complex developments of the Covid-19 pandemic, HCM City continues to work online; manages documents and perform via the HCAS and use digital signatures to create the most favourable conditions and ensure the smooth flow of imports and exports.

The city’s department has coordinated with the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) to develop a digital customs and smart customs model. The programme aims to modernise customs operation.

The department has developed strategies for customs modernisation and reform.

In 2021, the local department has continued to implement two key projects that have been launched since 2020 related to trade facilitation, prevention of congestion at Cat Lai port and the improvement of internal management towards promoting customs operation through the development and implementation of customs administration system.

All customs operation will be applied technology in the direction of digitalisation to meet management requirements in the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

According to the Director of HCM City Customs Department Dinh Ngoc Thang, the Customs authority must apply the new and advanced management model with the goal of creating maximum trade facilitation for businesses to meet requirements on deep economic integration, strong development of Industrial Revolution 4.0, sharp increase in flow of goods.

The department has implemented administrative reform and customs modernisation for integration and development such as operating the VNACCS/VCIS and satellite programmes supporting operational activities under the modern and centralised management model; effectively implementing National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window; enhancing efficiency of specialised inspection; improving inspection method for goods and luggage via scanners to reduce the inspection rate in customs process, and implementing inspection before carry out customs procedures; providing online public service at the highest level, creating favourable conditions for businesses in the area.

It has instructed customs processes, software and received equipment to implement the e-seal monitoring system for goods transported by container and officially launched the automated system for customs management for imports and exports at Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs Branch.

Preparing for pilot implementation

Customs reform and modernisation have achieved positive results, contributing to improving efficiency of performance and management. The use of information technology and modern management methods has helped the department to effectively reach the dual goals of Covid-19 prevention and control while maintaining the customs management, boosting and facilitating trade and socio-economic development, Director Dinh Ngoc Thang said.

However, to create a strong foundation towards the implementation of a smart customs model, HCM City Customs Department proposes to perfect the customs legal documents. The department suggests revising legal documents, especially the Customs Law, to provide legal framework for the implementation of the model as well as reforming procedures related to imports, exports in line with standard of the revised Kyoto Convention, commitments under the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement and FTAs signed by Vietnam.

In addition, the department has proposed expediting the implementation of the Scheme on reforming the model of quality inspection and food safety inspection for imports.

The key task of the Customs in the new period will be the prevention of illegal transportation and trade of drugs, weapons, wild animals and plants, and banned goods; prevention of origin fraud, trademark counterfeiting, intellectual property infringement and illicit transshipment. Customs offices should be fully equipped with modern equipment and machinery to perform their duties.

According to the department’s leader, the Ministry of Finance and the GDVC are developing the Project on Smart Customs Management Model; the department has chaired many key operational processes. It has registered to be the first department to pilot the model when the project is approved.