Experiences of Customs value fraud to be exchanged

	The management of Origin and Customs value for imported cars enhanced
	Customs proactively prevents pricing fraud for imported cars in the form of gifts and donations
	Goods of a minimum value exempted from duties

The Customs Branch of Customs post-clearance audits exchanged information with enterprises. Photo: T.H

These are important contents mentioned in the seminar on "Customs post-clearance audits on value” in the framework of the project on efficiency of the automated clearance system VNACCS/VCIS funded by the Government of Japan. Accordingly, the seminar was organized by the Department of Customs post-clearance audits (under the General Department of Vietnam Customs) on 27th March 2017 (which is expected to last from 27th March to 29th March 2017) with the participation of representatives from the Customs Branch of Customs post-clearance audits and relevant agencies in the country. At the seminar, experts from Japan will exchange knowledge, experience and skills related to Customs post-clearance audits on value.

The Deputy Director of the Department of Customs post-clearance audits, Mr. Tran Vu Minh stressed that through case studies, Japanese experts would share experience and skills in the case where enterprises declare Customs value lower than the actual price and demonstrate the special relationship between the buyers and the sellers.

"Through the seminar, civil servants and Customs officers of the Department of Customs post-clearance audits wish to gain more experience and effective guidance from Japanese experts in order to apply to practical tasks in Vietnam", Mr. Tran Vu Minh shared.

According to Ms. Emako Hirabayashi - the expert of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam, this seminar aimed to meet 3 important objectives: First, discussing and updating training programs on Customs post-clearance audits in accordance with the requirements for the capability of Customs officers in Vietnam. Second, sharing experiences on Customs post-clearance audits, especially in the case where Customs officers do not collect enough evidence and proof due to the lack of enterprises’cooperation. Third, creating the trust of the business community for Customs authorities, contributing to the effectiveness of combating tax losses and facilitating trade.

Ms. Emako Hirabayashi stressed: "In order to gain the trust from the business community, Customs officers must be professional, specializing in many fields such as HS code classification and Customs value. If we always improve our knowledge and skills and say no to “corruption”, then success will come"

At the seminar, Japanese experts focused on sharing experience in Customs post-clearance audits on value in a professional process. It included preparatory steps; transaction diagrams building (with enterprises); and data analysis skills. Also, experts provided case studies for Vietnamese Customs officers to discuss the accuracy of Customs declarations on value.

Regarding Customs post-clearance audits in Vietnam, as a developing country with plentiful sources of goods (consumer goods, machinery and raw materials), Vietnam depends greatly on imports with a high risk of value fraud. In recent years, Customs post-clearance audits found many violations, especially in Customs value. According to the Department of Customs post-clearance audits, in 2016, the area with the largest amount of taxes was related to Customs value, with revenues of 1,115 billion vnd, accounting for 43% of the total amount of taxes paid to the State budget.

Currently, Customs post-clearance audits on value are being strengthened. The General Department of Vietnam Customs has recently directed the Department of Customs post-clearance audits to focus on key enterprises in the economy with key commodities such as automobiles, alcohol, beer, cigarettes, electronics, sanitary ware, glass and steel.

Consultations for imported automobiles should be immediately implemented VCN- The implementation immediately of the consultations in the process of Customs procedures for imported automobiles which ...