Customs sector implements solutions to prevent revenue loss

In 2023, the General Department of Vietnam Customs was assigned an estimate of VND 425,000 billion by the National Assembly. The revenue estimate for 2023 is built on the basis of economic targets such as GDP growth rate of 6-6.5%; crude oil price is US$70/barrel; export turnover increases from 8-9%; import turnover increases from 7-8%.

To complete this task, the Director General of Vietnam Customs requested subordinate units to focus their resources on drastically implementing basic tasks at the beginning of the year.

Ninh Binh Customs Branch sent customs officers to the head office of the enterprise to grasp and handle arising problems. Photo: H.Nụ

Specifically, units need to implement the solutions mentioned in Resolution No. 01/NQ-CP of the Government dated January 6, 2023 on the main tasks and solutions to implement the socio-economic development plan, state budget estimate and business environment improvement, national competitiveness improvement in 2023; Resolution No. 05-NQ/BCSD dated January 12, 2023 of the Party Designated Representation of the Ministry of Finance on leading and directing the successful implementation of fiscal and budgetary tasks in 2023; the action plan of the Ministry of Finance and General Department of Vietnam Customs with the motto "Unity and discipline, flexibility and courage, innovation and efficiency"; strengthen reform of administrative procedures, customs modernization, facilitate trade and import-export activities, reducing time and cost of cargo clearance.

Accordingly, the heads of the units need to raise awareness and the importation of the customs reform and modernization associated with improving the efficiency of management in performance to all civil servants; launching the Vietnam Customs Development Strategy to 2030, towards the overall goal of building a regular and modern Vietnam Customs, on par with the Customs of developed countries, leading in the implementation of Digital Government, with a Smart Customs model.

Furthermore, the General Department of Vietnam Customs requested units to focus their resources on reforming the legal institution of customs in the direction of modernity, synchronization, unity and transparency, in line with international commitments and development orientations of customs.

Implementing key projects and programs in 2023 to ensure progress and quality, especially projects to develop legal documents following the correct order and procedures, which is the important legal basis to develop and implement Digital Customs, Smart Customs and administrative reform in the field of customs, improving the efficiency of state management of customs.

Continuing to implement the National Single Window and the ASEAN Single Window; chairing and coordinating with ministries and sectors to speed up the construction and implementation of the overall plan on building and developing an Information Technology (IT) System to serve the implementation of the National Single Window and ASEAN Single Window in the direction of centralized processing.

Moreover, promoting and creating a fundamental change in the digital transformation of the Customs sector with the key goal of deploying the IT system to implement Digital Customs. In particular, prioritize urgently deploying the IT system to serve customs activities in the clearance stage. The system has the ability to expand and integrate with current IT systems on the basis of the application of new technological achievements, in line with international standards, to meet the requirements of smart management; towards the management of enterprises, import-export goods and transit; means of transport on exit and entry, comprehensive transit from the beginning to the end; has the ability to integrate, connect and share information with ministries, sectors and businesses through the National Single Window and is ready to exchange customs data with countries in the region and the world, making Vietnam Customs a Digital Customs.

Strengthening the fight against revenue loss through inspection and supervision of customs procedures, tax management, post-clearance audit, specialized inspection, internal inspection, fight against smuggling and trade fraud; proactively review, classify, collect and handle tax debts incurred before January 1, 2023, and prevent new debts from arising in 2023 through inspection and examination.

Strictly implement regulations on fiscal policy, the conclusions and recommendations of the inspection and audit teams, the Central Committee’s Inspection Commission; strengthen internal inspection and internal self-inspection. At the same time, the General Department of Vietnam Customs requested its subordinate units to strictly implement the specialized inspection plan and internal inspection plan. It is considered an important and regular task of each unit and organization, customs officers and employees across the whole Customs sector.