Maximizing the efficiency of equipment for customs inspection and supervision

	HCM City Customs promotes the effectiveness of scanning machines in goods inspection
	HCM City Customs increase revenue collection by nearly VND30 billion via customs inspection

The mobile container scanner implements screening activity at Tan Vu port, Hai Phong. Photo: T.Binh

Up-to-date equipment is installed

According to Deputy Director of Customs Control and Supervision Department Dao Duy Tam, until the end of 2022, the Customs sector has handed over and put into modern operation equipment for customs inspection and supervision in areas where large volumes of imported and exported goods, which means of transport on entry and exit.

The Customs sector handed over 12 additional mobile container scanners in 2022. Currently, 27 container scanners have been put into operation in customs departments of HCM city, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Da Nang, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and Tay Ninh.

In addition, 98 baggage and cargo scanners have been installed and used in land border gates, international airports, and seaports for screening luggage and goods of passengers on exit, entry or in transit.

125 surveillance camera systems have been put into operation at customs branches of 34 local customs departments in land border gates, international railway stations, airports, seaports, international waterway ports, inland container depots and other areas under customs control area.

15 security camera rooms have been used at customs departments of Hai Phong, HCM City, Hanoi, Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Da Nang, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Khanh Hoa, Tay Ninh, An Giang, Long An, Quang Binh to connect with security camera systems at their customs branches for imported and exported goods, means of transport and people on exit and entry.

The General Department of Vietnam Customs has implemented customs control by e-seals for goods subject to customs control at customs branches under 35 local customs departments with 7,000 e-seals as approved in Decision No. 350/QD-TCHQ dated February 26, 2021, by the Director General of the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

In 2022, the country’s top customs department handed over 5,000 additional e-seals to all customs branches.

28 automobile weighing systems have been installed and put into operation at the customs branches of 18 local customs departments to inspect and manage the weight of goods with the customs declaration.

Ensuring customs control and shortening customs clearance time

According to the Customs Control and Supervision Department, the modernization of customs control equipment helps the Customs to improve management efficiency and support customs officers in inspection and supervision for import and export activities, create favourable conditions for businesses in customs processes, and shorten the customs clearance and release time.

Thanks to the application of advanced customs management methods, promotion of information technology and investment in up-to-date customs inspection equipment, the Customs has ensured customs control in the context that human resource does not increase while the workload surges. The modernization and automation of customs control by cutting-edge equipment have reduced the inspection rate in customs procedures.

For example, the customs control by the e-seal has met the management requirements of the Customs. All shipments monitored by e-seals have been transported following the route and time registered with the Customs and prevented goods smuggling and trade fraud.

The investment in modern equipment in customs control has contributed to enhancing work efficiency, reducing pressure on businesses, limiting the manual performance of customs officers and preventing harassment in public service performance. Thereby shortening the customs clearance and release time and helping import-export enterprises to make production and business plans actively.

In addition to the advantages, the Department said the use of the equipment systems still faces limitations. For example, the operation capacity of the container scanners has not been made use of; the e-seals have not been used effectively.

To promote the efficiency of the use of equipment, the Department said that it would review and develop standards and norms for the use of equipment for each area and unit to ensure consistency with reality and report to the competent authorities for approval as a basis for equipment investment shortly.

The Department will develop a set of criteria on the need of using the customs control equipment in each area, and strengthen the inspection and supervision for the use of these equipment at the local customs department in performance.