General Department of Customs listens to comments on "authorized economic operator" program

	Customs generates nearly 1,350 billion VND to state revenue via post clearance audit
	68 Authorized Economic Operators in import – export activities

Numerous leaders of authorized economic operators attended the meeting. Photo: T. Binh.

Major issues recommended

Attending the meeting were all leaders of Post-Clearance Audit Department and representativesof 52 authorized economic operators that showed great interest inboth the Customs agency and AEOs for further improving the efficiency of cooperation between the two sides.

Speaking at the meeting, Director of Post-clearance Audit Department Nguyen Tien Loc, saidthe implementation of AEO program (since 2011-PV) confirmed the certain efficiency of the program in helping facilitate the business community and improving the efficiency of state management of customs.

However, over eight years of implementation, there were issues that needed to be changed on both sides.

“Therefore, through the meeting today, the Post-Clearance Audit Department expects businesses to have specific and practical assessments on the AEO program; difficulties and obstacles; proposals and solutions,” Loc said.

In particular, he emphasized the policy of building a cooperation and dialogue mechanism between the Post-Clearance Audit Department and authorized economic operators to discuss and research the major issueson mechanisms and policies affecting many businesses to consult and submit to competent authorities for amendments and supplements to further improve the efficiency of the program.

For example, it is necessary to amend and supplement policies and regulations related to tax to be consistent with the provisions of the law on AEOs, or provisions on specialized inspection of import and export goods of AEOs. This is a problem for many businesses but the authority for handling itbelongs to ministries.

Representatives of enterprises use medical masks during the meeting. Photo: T. Binh

In addition, the questions on customs clearance will be answered by the Post-Clearance Audit Department or by the Departmentin collaboration with other agencies.

At the meeting, the leaders of many businesses agreed with the guidelines of the leaders of the Post-clearance Audit Department.

“In order to have a close, effective and unified cooperation point, whether a AEO should be established in the immediate future and an AEO association in long run to ensure the regular and continuous cooperation between businesses and the Post-Clearance Audit Department," said General Director of Garment 10 Corporation Joint Stock Company, Than Duc Viet.

According to the Division of Advisory, Handling and Management of AEOs (Post-Clearance Audit Department), there are currently 70 enterprises applying AEO regime in the field of customs nationwide, including 48 foreign direct investment enterprises (FDI).

Some noticeable fields: There are two FDI enterprises which are high-tech enterprises; 13 Vietnamese enterprises in the field of agriculture (rice, fisheries, agricultural products); and 14 enterprises in textiles and footwear.

AEOs, including FDI enterprises, affirmed and appreciated the efficiency of the program.

Those are: shorteningclearance time, thereby reducing working time; saving administrative procedure expenses (expenses on procedures, dossiers, vouchers and documents to be submitted to customs offices; expenses for simplifying and reducing customs procedures; reducing expenses for exemption from inspection of records and goods).

In particular, the program helps businesses increase their reputation and status with foreign partners, because AEos program is being applied in more than 100 countries, so foreign partners are well aware of the program.

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During the implementation the Post-clearance Audit Department provides direct and timely support when businesses encounter problems, while very small problems were also sent bydocument to Customs agency and it takes a long time to receive answers.