Perform e-Customs clearance procedures for agricultural products within seconds

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Deputy Director of Lang Son Customs Department Nguyen Anh Tai

Could you tell us about import and export activities at border gates in Lang Son province?

The import and export activities have taken place at four border gates in the province, including Huu Nghi, Dong Dang, Tan Thanh and Chi Ma.

The sub-border gates and border crossings are still closed, and the import, export and immigration activities are suspended. The imports and exports cleared at Tan Thanh Border Gate are mainly agricultural products. The imports have been processed customs clearance at Chi Ma Border Gate.

Due to the application of pandemic prevention measures, especially the "Zero Covid" policy by the Chinese Government, the two governments have agreed to apply different methods in receiving and delivering goods at border gates.

At Tan Thanh Border Gate, the Vietnamese Service Company implements the towing of vehicles carrying goods across the border. But in Huu Nghi and Chi Ma Border Gates, this activity is performed by the Chinese side. Dong Dang International Railway Station implements the operation following international practices and Vietnam - China railway agreements. Means of transport only deliver and receive goods at ports and yards near the border but are not allowed to move inland for goods receipt and delivery.

Thanks to Vietnam's priority policy for exported agricultural products, all customs procedures and dossiers are streamlined and harmonized to match Vietnam's standards and commitments.

As per Customs law, the Customs authority cannot request enterprises to submit any other documents beyond the specified documents in the customs dossier.

The agricultural and fishery products exported across the province are not subject to taxes collected by the Customs. Therefore, these items are cleared immediately within seconds after the customs dossier is submitted to the Customs system.

In order to carry out procedures for imports and exports, what provisions must be complied with by customs service providers at the border gate?

The provisions of Article 5 of Decree 08/2015/ND-CP amended and supplemented in Clause 3, Article 1 of Decree 59/2018/ND-CP dated April 20, 2018, stipulates that the customs declarant will declare on the VNACCS system or ECUS-5 system. Import-export enterprises will declare online 24/7 at their offices or on declaration devices connected by the Customs authority. All documents are digitized or scanned and submitted to the e-system and will not have to be presented directly to Customs.

The goods owners, the legal representative of the enterprise/trader, and the certified Customs broker's staff must implement some procedures at the Customs office (for example, procedures for bringing goods to the customs control area).

In order to prevent negatives and improve the efficiency of customs control and promote customs clearance at the border gate, what the local customs department provides effective solutions?

In order to provide the best service quality in customs clearance across the border gates, the local department has implemented effective solutions to support enterprises to overcome difficulties and save time and costs.

Firstly, the Customs department requires its subordinate units and officers to comply with the customs law; perform well in line with the assigned tasks and working position; inspect and review performance at all customs branches to meet the requirements of customs law enforcement.

Second, the department supervises compliance with public service regulations at the units; tightens discipline under regulations of all levels.

Third, the local customs regulator also supports customs declarants in law compliance by disseminating the customs law at the customs office and on its website and issues a mechanism of periodic customs-business dialogue, including removing obstacles for businesses, setting up working teams to support importers and exporters in customs process at all levels. In addition, the department closely coordinates with business associations, especially the local business associations, in developing cooperative partnerships.

Fourth, the department fully complies with regulations on online performance at operational divisions to monitor declared goods flows and control risks for consignments at all branches.

The fifth, to follow Conclusion 503-KL/TU dated March 28 of the local Government on strengthening management for imports and exports and preventing corruption and negativity in the border gates, the department issued Plan 804/HQLS-TCCB dated April 11, 2022. The department's Party Committee directed its party units to comply with the local Government's plan.

Sixth, the department implements training to improve customs qualifications, morality and Customs integrity, behavioural skills, and communication culture with customers for the department's customs officers.

Seventh, the Customs department maintains smooth and stable operation of IT systems 24/7, ensuring adequate customs clearance and preventing disruption in the customs process.

Eighth, the department coordinates with local agencies to negotiate cross-border delivery and receipt of goods to match Covid epidemic prevention and control requirements. It also conducts dialogue and exchange under commitments between Vietnam Customs and Chinese Customs to facilitate import and export goods between the two sides, preventing illicit transportation of goods across the border.

The ninth, the department collects and analyzes information and evaluates the import-export situation to propose the General Department of Vietnam Customs and the People's Committee of Lang Son province in managing import-export activities to facilitate economic development, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thank you, Sir!