Preparing to put ASEAN Customs Transit System into operation

	Proposing to implement Customs procedure via ASEAN transit system
	New chance for transporting transit goods between ASEAN countries

Import and export activities at Da Nang port. Photo: N.Linh

Specifically, on September 5-6, experts from the General Department of Customs and the ACTS of ASEAN will provide information to banks, transit enterprises and transport enterprises about the ACTS System from customs procedures, customs supervision and inspection of goods using the ACTS System, the priority for enterprises conducting transit of goods via the ACTS System, guarantee, deposit and customs duty debt collection for goods in transit via the ACTS System.

Regarding this issue, on August 26, 2019, the National Assembly's Finance and Budget Committee held a meeting to verify the draft decree regulating customs procedures, customs inspection and supervision of goods in transit via the ASEAN Customs Transit System to implement Protocol 7 on customs transit.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the development of legal documents for the implementation of the ASEAN customs transit system is necessary. Thereby creating a legal basis for the application of customs modernization for goods in transit between ASEAN countries including Vietnam, and reducing paperwork in the implementation of customs procedures for transit goods.

By carrying out procedures in accordance with Protocol No. 7, e-customs procedures would be carried out on a single system from the country of origin to the country of transit, and to the destination country. It would contribute to reducing costs and facilitating enterprises in goods transit activities between Vietnam and ASEAN member countries in accordance with the guidelines of the Party and State on international economic integration, ensuring the request for administrative reform and customs modernization.

At the same time, it enhances the competitiveness of enterprises engaged in goods transit activities, and facilitates and promotes the transit of goods and brings into play the advantages of the geographical position of Vietnam in the transportation of transit goods.

The draft Decree fully cites the commitments in Protocol No. 7 and in accordance with the provisions of the domestic law on goods transit activities. Accordingly, the draft decree stipulates the scope of application including provisions on customs procedures, customs inspection and supervision for transit goods via the ACTS; priority for enterprises carrying out transit activities via the ACTS; guarantee, deposit and collection of customs duty arrears for goods in transit.

The draft decree specifies the subjects of application, including organizations and individuals transiting goods via the ACTS; organizations and individuals with related rights and obligations; customs offices, customs officers; other state management agencies of goods transit activities via the ACTS.

Guarantee and deposit issues are also specified in Protocol No. 7 as follows: Personal guarantee; general guarantee; method of calculating guarantee money; tax deposit; conditions, rights and responsibilities of guarantors; check and monitor the handling of guarantee and deposits of customs authorities; recover and coordinate to collect customs tax debts among countries.

Besides the draft decree on customs procedures, customs inspection and supervision of transit goods via the ASEAN Customs Transit System, the Ministry of Finance (the General Department of Customs) is also drafting a Circular regulating information criteria and declaration forms when carrying out transit procedures via the ASEAN Transit System.