Standing side by side with enterprises

The Department has been leveraging information technology to provide public services to individuals and enterprises. Electronic documents have been thoroughly used through the national and ASEAN one-stop mechanisms, thus eliminating the need for businesses to provide hard copies of such documents. As a result, the processes of customs declaration, information receipt and processing and the decision-making on customs clearance are carried out with an extremely high level of automation. It only takes 1 to 3 seconds to process customs documents for each case.

Enterprises carry out procedures at Cát Lở Port Customs Branch

In addition, the Department has actively contributed to solving problems in the customs sector’s information technology (IT), digital customs and smart customs systems; expanding the Vietnam Automated System for Seaport Customs Management (VASSCM) that has now connected to almost all ports, warehouses, and yards in the province; and applying GPS-based electronic seals in the customs supervision. Their efforts have lead to a rapid increase in both import-export turnover and customs revenue.

A container of goods is being inspected at Cái Mép Port

Mr. Lê Ngọc Khánh, Vice Chairman of the Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Provincial People’s Committee, said that the Department has been a leading unit in enhancing administrative procedure reforms and supporting importers and exporters. The department’s efforts have been reflected in its index of the satisfaction of people and businesses, which has exceeded 95%. Additionally, the Department has been actively pursuing digital transformation to create a favorable environment for both foreign and domestic investors in the province.

Efforts to improve customs services

According to Mr. Nguyễn Trường Giang, Director of the Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Provincial Customs Department, it has been constantly improving its services by changing the way it works, creating favorable conditions for businesses to legally operate cross-border trade, tourism, and transport. The Department has regularly organized meetings and seminars to train officials, civil servants, and employees on applying personal responsibility to each assigned task. Each customs officer is required to voluntarily study and improve their political and professional qualifications to provide proper advice and handle any assigned task on time.

Businesses are instructed on carrying out customs procedures at Cai Mep Port Border Gate Customs Branch (Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Provincial Customs Department)

Mr. Nguyễn Trường Giang added that to meet the requirements of modernisation and international integration in customs activities, in the coming time, the Department will continue to pay special attention to human resources training and development; regularly organise seminars, and exchange information with import and export companies, shipping lines, warehouses, yards, port service providers, and others to provide information on customs procedures; continue to promote administrative reforms; ensure publicity and transparency; facilitate import and export activities; actively apply information technology in management and supervision, administrative reform and modernisation of customs activities.

The Department has implemented customs procedures on the National One-Stop Portal and the ASEAN One-Stop Portal, which connects with Vietnam’s trading partners. This has improved the implementation of customs and administrative procedures, as well as connecting, exchanging, and sharing information between customs authorities, relevant ministries, and businesses participating in the supply chain. These measures will help meet the requirements for comprehensive control of the export, import, and transit of goods.

Article and photos: THUY NHIEN

The General Department of Vietnam Customs has issued Decision 707/QD-TCHQ to approve the Customs Sector's Digital Transformation Plan to 2025, with a vision to 2030. According to this plan, by 2025, the customs sector will handle 100% of customs procedures online./.