Dong Thap Customs focusing on preventing pandemic and supporting businesses

	Customs’ revenue plunges in first quarter
	Banks support enterprises in various forms
	Ensure goods clearance during nationwide social distancing

Customs oCustoms officers at Thuong Phuoc border gate seize smuggled medical masksfficers at Thuong Phuoc border gate seized smuggled medical masks.

Diverse forms to support businesses

According to Dong Thap Customs Department, together with written requests toits subordinate units to strengthen prevention and control measures of the Covid-19 pandemic under the direction of leaders, leaders of Dong Customs Department have visited each customs branch to learn information and guide pandemic prevention and control as recommended by the Ministry of Health, and launch solutions to support customs clearance for businesses.

In particular, there are very few taxable goods in Dong Thap and the main customs regime is export processing and production of agricultural and aquatic products, so most items are non-taxable products or have zero tax rates. In terms of goods and activities of import and export businesses, the operations of these businesses have reduced and been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in leather, footwear, apparel, export processing and manufacturing and aquatic products and agricultural products for export. Investment activities have also slowed. World fuel prices are also strongly fluctuating and social activities are impacted by the pandemic, so petroleum companies’ operations are also restricted.

Facing the above situation, Dong Thap Customs Department determined this year will be very difficult for import-export activities of businesses, as well as State budget collection of the unit. To support businesses, leaders of Dong Thap Customs Department directed divisions and branches to carry out diverse forms to support businesses via email, phone and encourage businesses to do online transactions to exchange information with businesses especially businesses engaging in business with countries suffering the pandemic to provide support and treatment. At the same time, it is directing units to create favourable conditions for enterprises, especially paying attention to facilitating clearance of goods, machines, equipment, materials andsupplies used for production. Particularly, prioritising to clear tax-free goods to prevent and control the pandemic in a timely manner and in compliance with regulations. The unit has guided pharmaceutical businessesto export antibacterial cloth masks.

Energised by many solutions to nurture revenues, Dong Thap Customs Department implemented solutions to create favourable conditions, take advantage of revenues, encourage businesses to combat revenue losses, and remove difficulties and problems for businesses to achieve the most revenue.

Customs officers at Dinh Ba border gate in protective clothing inspect vehicles crossing the border. Photo: Dinh Ba Customs.

Proactive in border control

Recently, along with authorities, Dong Thap border-gate customs units have effectively implemented measures to prevent and control the pandemic and ensured the quick clearance of goods for residents and businesses.

According to Dong Thap Customs Department, from 0.00 am on March 21, 2020, Cambodia suspended immigration for Vietnamese people on entry and from April 1, Vietnam applied this measure on Cambodia, therefore, import and export goods, means of transport on entry and exit by road and waterway strongly decreased. All border crossings are strictly controlled. At the moment, the border gates are very quiet;goods are still cleared normally according to regulations, but are also restricted a lot. The province has directed agencies to unify clearance for means of transport on entry and exit to prevent and control the pandemic.

Director of Dong Thap Customs Department Nguyen ThanhToan said the unit procured and equipped officials and employees to work in contact with passengers and means of transport,goods and luggage of XNC passengers. Cadres and civil servants conducting patrol and control work in border areas have been equipped with necessary means, equipment and supplies for disease prevention and control under direction of the General Department of Customs.

Toan said that the unit has bought and provided equipment for customs officers and employees who directly contact passengers and means of transport and luggage of passengers on entry and exit. Customs officers who are in charge of patrol and control in border areas are equipped with necessary means, equipment and supplies to prevent the pandemic.

Facing the complexmovements of the pandemic, the unit has recently purchased additional protective clothing for customs officers to inspect goods and means at the border gate. “Every day, customs officers at border gates must regularly carry out customs clearance of goods and means of transport. Because they often directly contact carriers, means of transport and goods imported from Cambodia, the risk of infection is very high, it is required to provide more protective equipment for themtoprevent the pandemic and outbreaks and be safe during task performance,” said Toan.

Proactively preventing the pandemic and controlling well at the border gates, recently, Dong Thap Customs Department has tackled many cases of illegal transportation of medical masks, contributing to stabilising the market for goods for anti-pandemic efforts.

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In 2020, Dong Thap Customs Department is assigned State budget revenue of VND 70 billion by the Ministry of Finance and VND 100 billion by the General Department of Customs. By March 30, the unit had collected VND 21.3 billion.