Ministry of Finance has asked Ho Chi Minh City to reconsider its seaport fee collection policy

In the document sent to Ho Chi Minh City, the MoF noted that the ministry had received a report from Dong Nai and Binh Duong provinces about the seaport fee's negative impact on the operation of businesses.

The MoF’s document notes, “Article 8 of the Law on Fees and Charges regulates that level of fees is determined to make up for expenses with due account taken of policies on socioeconomic development, ensuring equality, fairness, and public disclosure on the rights and obligations of citizens.”

The ministry required Ho Chi Minh City authorities to answer the questions and concerns of the business community.

Ho Chi Minh City started to apply a new fee for the use of the infrastructure and public utility services at border gates and seaports in the city from April 1.

According to the regulations, for imported and exported goods declared in Ho Chi Minh City, the fee is now VND250,000 ($10.85) per 20ft container and VND500,000 ($21.70) per 40ft container, while fees for liquid and bulk cargo are VND16,000 (70 US cents) per tonne. However, the fees outside of Ho Chi Minh City are all double these figures.

Business associations previously asked the government to scrap such seaport fees due to the concern that the regulation will raise the financial burden on businesses, leading to a possible reduction in competitiveness.