High-value goods including electronic products, components, spare parts and electrical household appliances imported by enterprises across Lang Son areahave helped Lang Son Customs revenue increase significantly.

Officers of Huu Nghi Customs Department inspect imported goods. Photo: H.N

Quantity of imported high-value goods increases

To restore economy post-Covid-19 pandemic and create the bestconditions for enterprises in carrying out import procedures inthe area, Lang Son Customs Department has exchanged with China to resume the customs clearance for import and export goods at border gates. Although import and export turnover in the first nine months of the year has decreased, the department’s revenue has increased. These are considered positive signs to boost Lang Son Customs Department to strive to exceed targets.

Explaining the decrease in the import and export turnover and the increase in the department’s revenue, arepresentative of Lang Son Customs Department said that inthe past time, the quantity of high-value goods including electronic products, components, spare parts, electrical household appliances and mobile phones imported by enterprises inthe area has surged, making the department’s revenue increase.

According to Lang Son Customs Department, as of October 13, the department had processed procedures for 57,797 declarations of import and export goods with turnover of US$1,888.75 million, falling 24.8% year-on-year. Lang Son Customs Department has conducted customs clearance for 217,457 vehicles carrying goods imported and exported across land border gates, as well as558 trains.

Although turnover decreased, the department’s revenue increased by 3.4% year-on-year.As of October 18, the entire department contributed VND 2,962 billion to the State budget, reaching 87.12% compared to the estimate and 103.14% year-on-year. In the third quarter, the entire department collected VND 1133.9 billion, upby 3.1% compared to the second quarter.

Lang Son Customs Department has collected VND 6,304.6 of outstanding debts and worked with competent authorities to collect fees according to Resolution 24/2019/NQ-HDND of Lang Son province to the tune of VND 314.9 billion.

The representative of Lang Son Customs Department said the tax revenue from three commodity groups, including cars and semi-trailers, mobile phones, air coolers, machinery and equipment, sharply increased and the other commodities’ revenue fell compared to 2019.

For the commodity group of car and semi-trainers, in 2020, the Government issued Decree 17/2020/ND-CP amending and supplementing some articles of decrees related to business investment conditions under the management of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, car imports that are no longer subject to quality inspection has shortened clearance time for the shipment,facilitating enterprises, so the quantity of cars imported inthe area in the first nine months has surged compared to 2019.

In addition, due to high domestic demand, some enterprises have imported air coolers ina large quantity. Mobile phones are considered one of commodities with asharp increase in revenue due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; due to the interruption of air transport, the enterprises cannot import but they switch to the import via land way.

Talking to the Customs Newspaper, Nguyen Thi Thu Nga, Deputy Manager of Huu Nghi Customs Branch, said as of October 15, the branched collected and remitted VND 2,508 billion to the State budget, reaching 88% of the estimate and accounting for nearly 90% of total budget revenue of the entire Lang Son Customs Department. The revenue of the branch mainly arises in high-tax rate goods. Meanwhile, since the end of June, the domestic business production has gradually stabilised, demand for some consumer goods has also increased dramatically, so budget revenue of the branch has also flourished.

Strive to achieve highest target

A representative of Lang Son Customs Department said the fourth quarter is a difficult and challenging period in striving to complete the revenue collection of Lang Son Customs Department.

In particular, the State revenue at Coc Nam Border Gate will significantly decrease (about VND 200 billion) because China stops carrying out procedures for goods exported from China to Vietnam since March to the present date. Currently, Coc Nam Border Gate has only processed customs procedures for agricultural products exported from Vietnam to China in asmall quantity and does not incur taxes.

In addition, the reduction of tariff lines under the signed free trade deals andthe application of anti-dumping measures, and tax safeguard measures for some commodities with high turnovers and revenues are problems. Meanwhile, some commodities’ revenue declined such as means of transport due to the heavy dependence on market demand. Thereby, import volume is expected to decrease significantly in the finalmonths of this year.

To accomplish revenue collection and strive to achieve the highest target, Vy Cong Tuong, Deputy Director of Lang Son Customs Department, said the department has instructed its subordinate units to continue implementing many solutions, facilitate the maximum benefits for businesses byreforming administrative procedures, increasing working hours to perform customs clearance, timely supportting and solving problems and difficulties for businesses. At the same time, promptly update changes in import and export management policies from China, especially quality management, quarantine, and traceability of goods imported from Vietnam to China. In particular, create favourable conditions for imported and exported goods, especially Vietnamese export agricultural products; raw materials andelectronic components imported for domestic production.

Along with that, units should coordinate with competent forces in the area to strengthen the strict control of trails, border crossings andtwo side of border gates to prevent the illegal transportation of goods across border gates, causing revenue loss.