Regarding problems in implementing customs procedures for goods in transit by inland waterways, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) has issued a document to instruct HCM City Customs Department and enterprises.

Illustrative photo. 

Specifically, customs procedures and supervision for goods in transit by inland waterways shall comply with provisions in Circular No.39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018 supplementing and amending Circular 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015 of the Ministry of Finance.

For the inspection of the shipping line’sseal, port, warehouse and yard operators shall inspect the seal when goods are moved in, out and stored in warehouses, sites and yards, and update information on the automated system for customs management and supervision.

Customs shall base on information on the sealing status of the shipping line inspected by port, warehouse and yard operators to decide the customs sealing for goods in transit transported by inland waterways.

If there are differences between the list of goods expected to be loaded at the port or the status quo of the goods are not ensured or there are signs of violations, the customs agency shall inspect the seal of the shipping line and decide on customs sealing and handle violations (if any).

For Customs procedures and supervision for goods consolidated at different ports on the same means of transport (barge)to the exit border gate, pursuant to Clause 1 Article 11 of the Water transport agreementbetween the Government ofthe Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Royal Government of Cambodia, and Clause 4, Article 64 the Law on Customs 2014, if inland waterway transport service operators receive goods from ports on transit routes prescribed by the Ministry of Transport to transport to the territory of Cambodia, they must notify and be approved by the Customs before receiving the goods.

The notification of inland waterway transport service operators and the approval of customs shall be implemented through the declaration of information on customs declaration and approval of customs declarations for goods in transit, including information about the shipping route and transshipment site of goods in transit.

Accordingly, to ensure customs supervision for goods consolidated at different ports (transshipment site) on the same means of transport for transport to the exit border gate, the inland waterway transport service operators shall declare information about the shipping route and transshipment site of goods in transit on the independent transport declaration as prescribed in Clause 29, Article 1 of this Notice. Circular No. 39/2018/TT-BTC dated April 20, 2018 (amending and supplementing Article 51 of Circular No. 38/2015/TT-BTC dated March 25, 2015) of the Ministry of Finance and Appendix I (replacing Appendix II) issued together with the above Circular.

The Customs shall coordinate with seaport operators in exchanging information related to goods unloaded at ports or loaded on means of transport, if there are signs of law violation, the customs shall decide on appropriate supervision measures.

In addition, the GDVC also instructs the physical inspection in the document.