In Decision 38/QD-TTg dated January 12,2021, the Prime Minister approved the Scheme for reforming the model of qualification and food safety inspection for imported goods (hereinafter referred to as the scheme for reforming the model of specialized inspection). In order to deploy this scheme, on January 19, Deputy Director General of the GDVC Mai Xuan Thanh chaired ameeting with units.

Deputy Director General of the GDVC Mai Xuan Thanh chaired
the meeting with units deploying the Scheme.

Specify tasks

To specify the assigned tasks, the Ministry of Finance assigned the GDVC to develop the action plan of the Ministry of Finance implementing Decision 38/QD-TTg, at the same time the GDVC also assigned tasks to deploy the action plan.

At the meeting, Deputy Director General Mai Xuan Thanh requested the advisory units to discuss and comment on tasks, coordination and results.

According to the Deputy Director General, Decision 38/QD-TTg provides many major reforms, including the role of customs. Therefore, the GDVC should develop a detailed plan for tasks.

Specifically, content groups include a coordination group; decree making group; IT team; risk management group; procedure group; and human resource group.

On the basis of the orientations and comments fromthe units, Deputy Director General Mai Xuan Thanh requested the Customs Control and Supervision to complete the plan and report to the Ministry of Finance.

Five solution groups for deploying the new model

Decision 38/QD-TTg approving the Scheme for reforming the model of quality and food safety inspection for import goods provides five solution groups for deploying the new model.

First, on the solution for completing the legal basis, it is necessary to develop the Government’s decree on the management mechanism, method and procedures for quality and food safety inspection for import goods to implement the scheme for reforming the model of quality and food safety inspection for import goods at border gates.

Second, the solution for completing the IT system, upgrading and adding some functions of the IT system to meet the following requirements: automatically determine whether goods are subject to exemption from inspection or not; whether goods are subject to the normal or reduced inspection or not based on inspection principles specified in legal documents.

Connecting and sharing information between state management agencies for import activities, with basic information including: application for quality and food safety inspection; customs declaration; results of conformity assessment; inspection results of inspection agencies; the list of items subject to quality inspection and food safety inspection; information related to violations of the business in the post-clearance audit.

Publicizing information on goods quality with the following basic information: a list of items subject to quality inspection and food safety inspection; results of such inspection; goods subject to exempt from inspection; list of goods subject to be applied the normal inspection/reduced inspection, thereby, identifying goods that are not eligible for normal inspection/reduced inspection, but must undergo strict inspection.

At the same time, integrating the automated customs system with the National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window, including inheriting the design of data processing functions of the specialized processing system and transferring the data stream from the National Single Window to the Customs clearance system, specialized systems to share existing information and share more customs information from customs for the State management of management ministries.

Upgrading the National Single Window, Automated customs clearance system and Risk management system to add new features (connecting and sharing records and data for stakeholders; classifying the channel of the specialized inspection combined with customs inspection; providing instructions for businesses to carry out all stages of specialized inspection combined with customs inspection).

Third, the resource solution for quality inspection, food safety inspection for import goods, the scheme sets out requirements on improving the customs authority's capacity for quality inspection and food safety inspection for importgoods. Accordingly, restructuring the human resources of the Customs authority for performing quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods at border gates.

Coordinating with management ministries to train and guide customs officers to meet the qualification for quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods at border gates.

Standardizingprocesses, procedures, equipping and adding mechanisms and equipment of the Customs to meet requirements for quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods in accordance with technical standards andregulations of management ministries.

Expanding and improving the performance of designated conformity assessment bodies. The tasks to be implemented include: reviewing and standardizing the capabilities and operational processes of designated conformity assessment bodies; strengthening the capacity of Customs units and organizations performing the verification, analysis, inspection tasks, meeting national standards and international standards fordesignated conformity assessment bodies.

Fourth, the solution for completing the risk management system in quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods, including completing the application mechanism of risk management in quality inspection and food safety inspection.

Building and upgrading functions of information technology systems for information collection, analysis, and risk assessment for goods subject to quality inspection and food safety inspection.

Fifth, the solution for enhancing coordination, connection and information sharing between pre-customs clearance inspection and post-customs clearanceaudit, management ministries shall strengthen warnings for goods with high risks on quality food safety, and promptly report to the Customs for prevention at border gates.

At the same time, through the application of information technology, the interdisciplinary risk management center, information on quality inspection and food safety inspection prior to customs clearance are publicized for inspection agencies under management ministries to perform specialized inspection at the stage of circulation in the domestic market.