Customs sector: Ten years of administrative reform

	Positive changes in government attitudes toward private enterprises
	Customs sector pioneers application of Public Administration Reform Index
	HCM City Customs, Da Nang and Dong Nai lead Public Administration Reform Index

The GDVC’s Deputy Director General Nguyen Duong Thai (second from left) was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Prime Minister for the contribution in administrative reform for 2011-2020.

Outstanding achievements in automation

The General Department of Vietnam Customs has implemented administrative procedure reform, modernisation and strengthened IT application to facilitate people and businesses in customs clearance, and achieved positive results. As a result, 19 of 29 business conditions have been cut and simplified, while the customs dossier and time limit for handling customs procedures is regulated in a simple, specific and transparent manner.

From 2011 until now, Vietnam Customs has made great efforts to reform procedures and standardise customs management, meeting modern customs requirements, and in line with international customs standards. Customs administration regimes have been standardised to be consistent with provisions of the revised Kyoto Convention.

The automated system for customs management has facilitated import and export firms in customs management. From the beginning of the year to now, all key customs procedures have been automatically implemented via the VNACCS/VCIS at 100% of customs units nationwide with participant by 99% enterprises. More than 99.6% of declarations have been processed, and customs clearance time for goods classified into the Green channel is from 1 to 3 seconds. The customs revenue collected via the e-tax payment system accounts for 97.8% of total revenue.

In 2017, the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) deployed the Automated System for Customs management through the information connection and exchange with port, airport, warehouse and yard operators subject to customs control. It always manages, monitors and operates the IT systems in a stable manner 24/7 while ensuring security, safety, smooth connection for customs clearance of import and export goods.

The GDVC has developed and operated the National Single Window (NSW), meeting the requirements on information connection of ministries and branches to handle administrative procedures, connecting the NSW with the ASEAN Single Window. In 2020, 207 administrative procedures of 13 ministries and branches were connected to the NSW with more than 3.55 million dossiers of nearly 44,000 firms.

The rate of online public services at level 3 and level 4 provided by the GDVC has increased over the years, accounting for 85%, of these 82.2% of services at level 4, and 72 administrative procedures have been integrated into the NSW. A total of 13 ministries and branches have connected to the NSW and connected to the ASEAN Single Window to exchange e-C/O form D with nine ASEAN states.

The GDVC has developed the model of the Customs as the focal point for specialised inspection based on the scheme on reforming the model of quality inspection and food safety inspection for import goods, which was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 38/QD-TTg dated January 12, 2021.

Following Resolution No. 18-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017, at the 6th Central Executive Committee Conference, Session XII on arrangement of organisational apparatusfor 2015-2020, the GDVC has reduced 12 customs branches and 232 teams.

Set specific goals

Motivated by these great efforts, Customs has been appreciated by central and local agencies and the business community as the leading sector in the reform of administrative procedures, reducing compliance costs, facilitating trade activities and contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s national competitiveness.

In 2021, the Customs sector has continued to improve the Customs legal document system, promote IT application and redesign the overall IT system, contributing to improving the efficiency of Customs and enhancing the quality of public service provision for people and businesses.

The goals of reforming customs administrative procedures towards putting people and firms as the centre; using satisfaction as a measure to evaluate service quality; creating a fair, open, and favorable business environment are "leverage" to create favourable conditions for businesses to achieve growth in production and business activities and improve national competitiveness, contributing to making Vietnam a bright spot to attract investment waves when the world repositions its supply chain and production after the Covid-19 pandemic.

To perform tasks for 2021-2030 and build Vietnam Customs for 2021-2030, the GDVC has specific goals. It will continue to build and complete a full, synchronous, modern, stable and transparent customs legal system with low compliance costs and in compliance with international standards, while ensuring a full legal basis for technology application of the Industrial Revolution 4.0.

Customs procedures are simple and harmonious, complying with international standards and practices, and applying modern customs management methods at the stages before, during and after customs clearance. Actively participating in building the law on specialised management of imported and exported goods, perform as the focal point for specialised inspection at border gates in accordance with the law.

Continue to build and reform the customs organisation structure in accordance with requirements on a modern, simple and centralised structure, reduce intermediaries and meet the requirements on management of each area and reduction and effective use of staff.

Complete development of smart e-customs, and completed digital customs by 2030 to ensure consistency with digital government architecture on the basis of the strong application of technology in customs management.