Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company and Nghe An Customs Department. Photo: Nguyen Hai

Director of Nghe An Customs Department Chu Quang Hai said that in order to implement the Compliance Program under Decision No. 1399/QD-TCHQ dated July 15, 2022 of the General Department of Vietnam Customs, the department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding and supported five enterprises eligible for participating in the program in Nghe An province, including: Vissai Ninh Binh Cement Company, TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company, Hoa Sen Nghe An One Member Co., Ltd., Vinh Plastic and Bags Joint Stock Company, and Saigon Packaging Group Joint Stock Company.

These five enterprises are listed in 200 enterprises across the country that have fully implemented all regimes of import and export, and have been selected by the Customs to join the program.

Nghe An Customs Department said that since the implementation of the Compliance Program, one out of five enterprises has increased its compliance level from level 4 (low compliance enterprise) to level 2 (high compliance enterprise), two firms have maintained their compliance level and two enterprises have reduced their compliance level, especially there are no enterprise had its membership revoked due to violations.

Notably, five enterprises participating in the Compliance Program at Nghe An Customs Department were commended by the General Department of Vietnam Customs for their contributions in the partnership development between Customs-Business and related parties. Typical examples include Saigon Packaging Group Joint Stock Company and Hoa Sen Nghe An One Member Co., Ltd.

After 2 years of implementing the Compliance Program, there have been many positive signs from both enterprises and the Customs.

The representative of TH Milk Food Joint Stock Company highly appreciated the Compliance Program which has helped the company cooperated with the Customs and receive benefits brought by the program. Thanks to participating in the Compliance Program, the company has built action plans to improve the Customs law compliance level and has always been supported by the Customs for the effective implementation.

According to the representative of Hoa Sen Nghe An Company Limited, the company has been regularly provided full information during the import-export process. Therefore, the company has been facilitated in operation and may control potential risks causing damage during the import-export process. Currently, the company's supply chain management and control process always complies with the law.

Hai said that after two years of piloting the Compliance Program, the partnership between the Customs and businesses has gradually become the reliable partner, enterprises have managed and controlled import-export activities well and proactively prevented violations, and improved the legal compliance level of enterprises.

Nghe An Customs Department has fully complied with contents of the program. Notably, the department has focused on the information dissemination, ensuring regular information provision on mass media, and implemented effective and diverse dissemination methods.

Notably, the department has integrated the information dissemination to enterprises during the Customs process, and posted news and articles on the Department's website, helping enterprises clearly understand the benefits and register to participate in the program.

Additionally, Nghe An Customs Department has assigned focal points from the department level to the branch level to receive, process, and provide information to enterprises, and arrange officers specializing in risk management, tax, management supervision, and legal affairs to coordinate and support enterprises as requested, meeting the program’s regulations.

Nghe An Customs has also closely coordinated with departments, branches, localities, central ministries and branches to create conditions for the business community to voluntarily comply with the law as well as facilitate, shorten customs clearance time, and save costs for enterprises.

Hai emphasized that in the near future, the department will continue to support and encourage enterprises to voluntarily comply with the Customs law, thereby, developing a reliable partnership between the Customs and businesses in import and export activities, accompanying the business community, and contributing to facilitating trade in the area. The department will continue to expand the implementation of the Compliance Program to attract more businesses to join the program.

Nghe An Customs Department hopes that through the Compliance Program, it will raise the awareness of voluntary compliance with the law in the business community; facilitate trade, reduce the rate of physical inspection of import and export goods and costs, support businesses to overcome difficulties and obstacles in customs processes; limit risks; proactively take measures to prevent and avoid Customs offences, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of businesses while helping the Customs save resources and ensure effective management.