Compared to the same period last year, total import and export turnover of the whole country in the first three months of 2021 is estimated to reach $153.65 billion, increasing by 24.9%, helping revenue collection of Vietnam Customs flourish.

Huu Nghi Customs official recieved and instructed enterprises
to implement customs procedures. Photo: H.Nụ

Spikes in many groups of goods

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first quarter, the production and export activities of firms had many positive changes. In particular, many groups and main import-export products saw a high growth of up to two digits.

The main export items of Vietnam increased strongly such as wood and wood products with a value of $3.76 billion, increasing by 43.8% over the same period last year and footwear estimated at $4.78 billion, increasing by 14.7%. In March alone, seafood products reached $735 million, up to 87.3%. The group of mobile phones and components was still the largest export commodity group with an estimated turnover of $14.37 billion, increasing by 11.6% over the same period last year and computers, electronic products and components is estimated at over $11.93 billion, increasing by 31.1% over the same period last year.

The main imported products in the first three months of the year, including petroleum, machinery, equipment and spare parts, computers, electronic products and phones also tend to increase significantly. Detailed statistics of all types of goods show that the imported CBU cars in the first three months of 2021 reached 35,360 units, worth about $810 million, up 31.1% in volume and 41.9% in value from the same period last year.

Imported computers and electronic products are estimated at $16.54 billion, up by 20.2% from the same period last year, continuing to be the largest import commodity group of our country; the group of components and machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts is estimated at $10.83 billion, up 30.9% over the same period. Fabric imports are estimated at $2.97 billion, rising by 12.4%; raw materials serving for textile, garment, leather and shoes are estimated at $1.49 billion, increasing by 17.4%; iron and steel of all kinds are estimated at 3.67 million tonnes, increasing by 11% and valued at $2.46 billion, an increase of 31.6% from the same period last year.

With this import-export result, the revenue collection of the Customs sector has made many positive changes. In the first quarter, a number of import items having a significant increase in tax, such as CBU cars, revenue soared by about VND 2,500 billion; telephones of all kinds jumped by nearly VND 1,000 billion; machinery, equipment and spare parts increased by nearly VND 2,500 billion; iron, steel and common metal increased by VND 2,400 billion over the same period last year, making the revenue in the first quarter of 2021 increase strongly compared with many recent years.

Continuing maximum facilitation

To get positive results in revenue collection, in the first months of the year, the Customs sector drastically deployed and synchronised action plans on administrative procedures reform, customs modernisation and improving business environment and national competitiveness in 2021 as required in Resolution No. 02/NQ-CP.

At the same time, by implementing effective measures to prevent the Covid-19 pandemic and Directive 215/CT-TCHQ on trade facilitation, improving effectiveness of State management, and drastically implementing State revenue collection in 2021, the whole Customs sector's revenue collection is VND 88,458 billion, 28.1% of current appropriation, 26.7% of the target, up 12.17% over the same period in 2020.

Revenue increased sharply in a number of Customs Departments of Hai Phong, HCM City, Da Nang; Hanoi, Bac Ninh; Quang Tri, Gia Lai - Kon Tum and Quang Binh.

Revenue collection in the first quarter increased dramatically because of the control of the Covid-19 pandemic, so production and business are recovering.

However, this is an unstable source of revenue, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, as from the second quarter, revenue might not increase sharply. To strive for completing the target of revenue collection and exceeding assigned targets, the Customs sector will urge provincial customs departments to implement measures on facilitating import-export activities and checking revenue sources, especially the units whose revenues increased sharply in the first quarter; strengthen reviewing and grasping revenue sources firmly; research, propose and implement solutions to increase revenue and combat budget revenue loss.

In addition, the General Department of Vietnam Customs has directed units to strengthen the fight against revenue loss via supervision and inspection of the implementation of customs procedures, post-clearance audit, specialised inspection, fighting against smuggling and trade fraud; focusing on checking quantity, value, codes, origin and trademarks to battle fraud; strictly control and promptly detect and prevent illegal transportation and smuggling into the inland.