Officers of Nha Trang Seaport Customs Branch instruct businesses. Photo: N.T

Solving arising problems

Ms. Trinh Thi Le, Head of Import-Export Department of Khanh Viet Corporation Limited said to Customs News, that although the company has faced difficulties in import and export operation due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has been supported by Khanh Hoa Customs Department, especially Nha Trang Seaport Customs Branch where it opened customs declaration.

When goods transportation faced difficulties, the branch instructed the company to apply information technology to make customs declarations and carry out procedures for customs clearance, thereby preventing congestion and impacts on production.

“The local branch has provided solutions to support the company such as guiding via email or phone, and receiving documents via email or instructing procedures out of working hours. The branch has recorded and handled problems of the company and reported it to the competent agencies for the fastest response,” Ms. Le said.

The customs department has instructed the business to carry out procedures for import tax refund for goods processed for export; supported the business in making and submitting anti-dumping tax assessment dossiers. The department has consulted with the General Department of Vietnam Customs and advised the enterprise to declare additional royalties in accordance with regulations.

During the customs clearance process, border gate customs branches have actively removed obstacles in policies for businesses.

Deputy Manager of Nha Trang Seaport Customs Branch Tran Minh Tuan said the branch has carried out customs procedures for 50-60 enterprises. However, the number of businesses that regularly implement procedures for imports and exports accounts for only about half.

To support enterprises to import and export products, such as: garment materials, fishery materials, raw materials for tobacco production, spare parts for machinery and equipment and electronic components, the local branch has arranged forces to implement customs clearance for businesses 24/7, including on Sundays and holidays; promoted the application of information technology in customs inspection and clearance to ensure quick clearance while meeting requirements on pandemic prevention and control.

In addition, the branch established a working team led by the branch’s leader to support businesses. The branch created a Zalo group between businesses and Customs authorities to exchange information related to the import and export activities and customs clearance.

Raising revenues

The leader of Khanh Hoa Customs Department said the Covid-19 pandemic has seriously affected the production and import and export operations of businesses in the area, especially export producers of fishery products, textiles, wood chips, construction stone, and importers of asphalt, gypsum and petroleum products.

Notably, the outbreak of Covid-19 in Southern provinces led to a decrease in the number of declarations, import and export turnover, means of transport and passengers on entry and exit compared with the same period in 2020. The number of enterprises carrying out import and export procedures through customs branches in 2021 dropped by more than 17% (about 40 enterprises), the number of customs declarations decreased about more than 2,000; import-export turnover fell by nearly US$200 million.

The completion of the revenue target amid the public health crisis is a great difficulty for Khanh Hoa Customs Department. Therefore, the effective implementation of solutions to create favorable conditions for enterprises will boost import and export to restore production and business in the new situation, ensure revenue sources, and fulfill budget revenue targets.

This year, Khanh Hoa Customs Department has been assigned the revenue target of VND3,000 billion and desired target of VND3,350 billion. On October 13, 2021, the General Department of Vietnam Customs revised down the target to VND3,000 billion.

As of December 14, Khanh Hoa Customs Department has collected VND2,707 billion, reaching over 90% of the target. Currently, the Department is trying to achieve the highest results.